Bryan Seppala remembers the way mining used to be.
The Queen Creek resident was born and raised in Globe, and his father and uncles worked at Magma Copper Mine.
Back then, things were tough, and his father was laid off three different times. The mining industry was volatile, and his father encouraged him to take a different career path.
Seppala enrolled in the University of Arizona and earned his degree in economic development, eventually getting hired for a community engagement position with Resolution Copper, the company that took over the Magma Copper Mine.
His father was back working at the mine, and technology was revolutionizing the industry, making work safer and more efficient while minimizing impacts on the environment.
There was also the discovery of a massive copper ore, giving the mine the potential to become one of the largest copper mines in America. The mine has the potential to add $1 billion a year to Arizona’s economy and create thousands of local jobs in a region where mining has played an important role for more than a century.
Today, Seppala is Resolution Copper’s principal advisor of economic development and social investment. He helps devise and implement long-term economic development plans and charitable outreach to ensure the community grows to thrive beyond dependence on the mine.
“When I first started with Resolution Copper, we were making a lot of one-off donations to local charities and causes. Now, there’s a strategic vision behind the financial support we provide,” Seppala said, noting Resolution Copper invested over $4.5 million on community and social initiatives.
Under Seppala’s leadership, Resolution Copper has entered into several multi-year agreements with Superior, Globe and Miami to fund programs ranging from workforce training and STEM education in local schools to business development.
His team also manages more than 50 local initiatives, spanning education, environment, community development, arts and culture.
When historic floods devastated Globe and Miami last fall, Seppala and his colleagues volunteered to help their neighbors.
“We were in the community for more than a month, digging mud out of houses, filling sandbags, lending a hand to local businesses, and coordinating support from our contractors, who assisted with road cleanup. We did whatever we could to help,” he said.
Seppala was also part of the team that worked closely with Rio Tinto, the majority owner of Resolution Copper, to secure a $1 million donation to the United Fund of Globe-Miami to support flood relief efforts.
The donation helps to provide emergency cleaning supplies, support flood mitigation planning within the region, and assist with long-term recovery for families and businesses impacted by the flooding.
Seppala serves as a board member for six nonprofits, and he has been active at the Queen Creek school his children attend.
While most of his work is concentrated in the Copper Corridor, he and his team also seek out opportunities to engage in the East Valley.
“Many people don’t realize that Resolution Copper’s economic impact extends into the East Valley and throughout the state. There are more than 250 employees who commute within 40 miles of Superior, many of those from the East Valley. We also have several East Valley suppliers and partners, and we spent more than $2.5 million with them last year alone,” he said.
Seppala said he is proud to be part of the change happening in the mining industry.
“It’s very rewarding to know that we are making a difference together with our community partners,” he said. “We’re building the foundation now so future generations will continue to prosper in their communities long after the mine is gone.”
Information: resolutioncopper.com.
