by 
Local elected officials and business leaders meet with team of international students interested in mining.
The United States Forest Service recently introduced a group of 16 mining industry professionals to community leaders in Superior. The students to the seminar visited Arizona for two weeks where they learned more about the mining laws and practices in the United States. They also learned about various environmental concerns, the permitting process and the various controversies surrounding mining.
During their visit to Superior they had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Mila Besich-Lira, Town Manager Todd Pryor, Councilmember-Elect Bruce Armitage and Sue Anderson, President of the Superior Chamber of Commerce, during a session about how local mines interact with the local government.
The group also had an opportunity to meet with officials from Resolution Copper to learn about the process that Resolution Copper will go through and how the company works with local groups and organizations during their half day visit to Superior.
Following their meeting with officials from Superior and Resolution Copper they traveled through the Copper Corridor to visit San Manuel and learn more about the mining operations that once operated in San Manuel.
During the two week seminar the students also met with the Tonto National Forest representatives, members of the Apache Stronghold and the Retired Miners and Concerned Citizens.
This was the first year that the US Forest Service held an International Seminar on Mining. The students came from the countries of: Georgia, Colombia, Armenia, Guatemala, Madagascar, Nepal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Peru, Ecuador, and the Philippines. Their roles in the industry ranged from attorneys, government employees, resource managers, engineers. forestry and ecological services.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
by by