Professors study infrastructure demands on Southern Arizona mining community
South32's Hermosa mine is 64 miles southeast of Tucson.
South32, Hermosa mine
Civil engineering researchers from the University of Arizona, as part of an interdisciplinary study on communities near the Hermosa mine in Southern Arizona, will assess how the mine could impact the region’s transportation demands.
Civil engineering professor Yao-Jan Wu said that the mine will increase demands in two ways.
“Daily commuter trips for construction, operations staff and heavy haul runs for ore and supplies,” Wu said, adding that the civil engineering team will identify if the area can support the demand.
Ali Shamshiripour, associate professor of CAEM and assistant director for the Center for Applied Transportation Sciences, was chosen to lead the five-person CAEM team.
“We are excited to participate in this cross-disciplinary effort,” he said. “It is well in line with our keen enthusiasm and multifaceted expertise to improve the efficiency, reliability, and serviceability of the transportation landscape for people.”
The research team, assembled by School of Mining and Mineral Resources director Misael Cabrera, will work also to analyze the region’s economic data, and local government and community services and broadband and internet connectivity.
The study is backed by $300,000 from South32, who have committed $1 million to address community needs that the study identifies.