The Copper Club, Inc. has announced their “Copper Persons of the Year”—the men and women of Arizona’s copper mining industry. The Ankh Award will be accepted by Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, the evening’s keynote speaker, on behalf of the past and present employees of the mining industry. In addition, The Copper Club will honor CODELCO’s Jürgen Leibbrandt, executive vice president, commercial development, also as a recipient of the Ankh Award, for lifetime achievement in recognition of his contributions to the copper industry through the International Copper Association and the promotion of copper throughout the world.
The Copper Club Inc., the leading organization for networking, educational grants and events for those who support the copper industry, will present the awards during their Annual Dinner, on May 16, 2012, at The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. This special event is in conjunction with “International Copper Week,” (May 13-19, 2012), a celebration of the copper mining industry, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Ankh Award, the 50th anniversary of the Copper Development Association and the centennial anniversary of Arizona — the copper state.
The Copper Club’s Chairman, Arthur Miele said, “We are pleased to present the Ankh Award to the Copper Persons of the Year—the men and women of the copper mining industry of the great state of Arizona, on their centennial anniversary, and we are honored to have Governor Brewer to accept it on their behalf.” Further, Miele said, “The Copper Club Board of Directors selected Jürgen Leibbrandt to receive the 2012 Ankh Award for lifetime achievement in recognition of his distinguished and honorable contributions to the copper industry. The Copper Club, on behalf of the global copper industry, extends its sincerest congratulations on this much-deserved award to Mr. Leibbrandt.”
“On this 100th anniversary of our state, I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of the men and women of the Arizona copper mining industry,” said Brewer. “Arizona is copper country. Just as copper mining is a key piece of Arizona’s heritage, I’m confident that – with the hard work of the men and women in this industry – copper will play an important role in Arizona’s prosperous future.”
“It is with deep gratitude to be the recipient of this prestigious award on this very special anniversary year,” said Leibbrandt. “I look forward to accepting the Ankh Award amongst my esteemed colleagues and friends and thank the Copper Club for their on-going support and promotion of our industry.
The Copper Club, Inc. seeks to promote the interest of the copper mining industry by honoring those who have forged pathways in the industry and paving new paths for students working toward careers in the industry. During the Annual Dinner, The Copper Club will also announce the 2012 recipients of their Educational Grants Program, which assists exceptional students in preparing for careers in fields related to maintenance and expansion of the copper industry. Each grant is $10,000, awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
International Copper Week attendees will be provided with networking, education and business opportunities on a domestic and international scale, from a variety of organizations under one roof. Also during this week, the American Copper Council (ACC) will host “Copper College,” a full educational program consisting of panels, workshops and presentations combined with several recreational and social opportunities. Also during this time, The International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC) will hold their Joint Meeting, inviting all companies to attend that mine, smelt and refine copper as well as all companies that produce semi-fabricated products.
