{"id":4336,"date":"2026-06-08T23:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T23:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/?post_type=issue-article&#038;p=4336"},"modified":"2026-06-12T19:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:46:45","slug":"copper-at-their-core","status":"publish","type":"issue-article","link":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/issue-article\/copper-at-their-core\/","title":{"rendered":"Copper at Their Core"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#f9f9f9&#8243; max_height=&#8221;55px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||40px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Date Line Summer 2026&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Fira Sans Condensed||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#2e3545&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|||15px|false|false&#8221; global_module=&#8221;4320&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">VOL. 09 |\u00a0 ISSUE 2\u00a0 |\u00a0 Summer 2026<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;30px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<!-- ============================================================<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     THE MINER \u2014 Summer 2026<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     &#8220;Copper at Their Core&#8221; \u2014 SECTION 1 (print page 10 top)  [REV &#8211; mobile headline fix]<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     ============================================================ &#8211;><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Taviraj:wght@100;200;300&#038;display=swap\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<style><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1{<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  --miner-navy:#2e3545; --miner-slate:#3d485e; --miner-gold:#cf9a33; --miner-body:#3a3a3a;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-family:'Titillium Web',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color:var(--miner-body); line-height:1.7em;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 *{ box-sizing:border-box; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 .headline-wrap{<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  display:flex !important; align-items:stretch !important; gap:28px !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  margin:0 0 0 -84px !important; width:auto !important; max-width:none !important; overflow:visible !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 .headline-bar{ flex:0 0 60px !important; width:60px !important; background:var(--miner-navy) !important; align-self:stretch !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 .headline-col{ flex:1 1 auto !important; min-width:0 !important; display:flex !important; align-items:center !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 .headline-wrap h1{<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  margin:0 !important; line-height:1.02 !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-family:'Taviraj',Georgia,serif !important; font-weight:200 !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-size:84px !important; color:var(--miner-gold) !important; letter-spacing:-1px !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 .miner-deck{<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-family:'Fira Sans Condensed',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-weight:400 !important; font-size:34px !important; line-height:1.18em !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  letter-spacing:-.5px !important; color:var(--miner-slate) !important; margin:26px 0 0 !important;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s1 .deck-break{ display:inline; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->@media (max-width:767px){<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s1 .headline-wrap{ margin-left:0 !important; gap:18px !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s1 .headline-bar{ flex:0 0 24px !important; width:24px !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s1 .headline-wrap h1{ font-size:46px !important; line-height:1.05 !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s1 .miner-deck{ font-size:26px !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s1 .deck-break{ display:none !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/style>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-s1\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/p>\n<div class=\"headline-wrap\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/p>\n<div class=\"headline-bar\"><\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/p>\n<div class=\"headline-col\">\n<h1>Copper at<!\u2013- [et_pb_br_holder] -\u2013>Their Core<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"miner-deck\">Six Generations of the Benavidez Family<span class=\"deck-break\"><!\u2013- [et_pb_br_holder] -\u2013><\/span> Have Helped Shape Chino and Freeport<\/h2>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- END SECTION 1 -->[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;30px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<!-- ============================================================<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     &#8220;Copper at Their Core&#8221; \u2014 SECTION 2 (print page 10)  [REV &#8211; full-width photo]<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     2 EQUAL cols, white. COL1: 4 paragraphs. COL2: photo w\/ cutline.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     ============================================================ &#8211;><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Taviraj:wght@100;200;300&#038;display=swap\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<style><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2{ --miner-cream:#d8d4ca; --miner-body:#3a3a3a;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-family:'Titillium Web',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color:var(--miner-body); line-height:1.7em; padding-top:0 !important; margin-top:0 !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 p{ font-size:17px; line-height:1.7em; margin:0 0 0.6em; padding-bottom:0 !important; color:var(--miner-body); }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/* align-items:start so the photo is NOT stretched to the text column height *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 .s2-cols{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:46px; align-items:start; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 .cc-col1 p:last-child{ margin-bottom:0; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 .miner-cutline-photo{ position:relative; line-height:0; margin:0; width:100%; display:block; overflow:visible !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/* full width, natural height \u2014 no cropping *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 .miner-cutline-photo img{ width:100% !important; height:auto !important; display:block; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 .miner-cutline-text{ position:absolute; width:78%; max-width:78%; padding:12px 16px; background:rgba(46,54,69,0.82); font-family:'Fira Sans Condensed',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-weight:700; line-height:1.45em; color:var(--miner-cream); z-index:10; box-sizing:border-box; margin:0; text-align:left; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s2 .miner-cutline-text.bottom-right{ right:0; left:auto; bottom:42px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->@media (max-width:980px){ .cc-s2 .s2-cols{ grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:24px; align-items:start; } }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/style>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-s2\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/p>\n<div class=\"s2-cols\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-col1\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <pee>&ldquo;My mother was born in space,&rdquo; Danny Benavidez will tell you with a grin.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <pee>It&rsquo;s one heck of an icebreaker for Morenci&rsquo;s Projects Integration Manager, and a sly reference to the fact that Santa Rita, New Mexico &ndash; the town in which his mother was born &ndash; once existed hundreds of feet above modern-day Chino&rsquo;s open pit.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <pee>Danny views it not only as a testament to the transformative power of mining, but also his family&rsquo;s deep roots at the operation where he spent part of his career.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <pee>Across Freeport&rsquo;s operations are countless multi-generational families who have helped build the company from the ground up &ndash; or down, as it were. The Benavidez family at Chino is just one of those families, its tenure with the company stretching back more than a century, as far back as the mine itself.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-col2\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-cutline-photo\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/copper-at-their-core-1972.jpg\" alt=\"With the 1912 arrival of Lorenzo, the Benavidez family began a legacy that would last over a century.\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; display:block;\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-cutline-text bottom-right\">With the 1912 arrival of Lorenzo (bottom left), the Benavidez family began a legacy that would last over a century.<\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- END SECTION 2 -->[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;30px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<!-- ============================================================<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     &#8220;Copper at Their Core&#8221; \u2014 SECTION 3 (print page 10 lower)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     GRAY background. 2 paragraphs + FULL-WIDTH pull-quote (navy box,<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     red LEFT strip, gold Fira Condensed Light).<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     Paste into ONE Divi Code Module (full-width row).<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     ============================================================ &#8211;><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Taviraj:wght@100;200;300&#038;display=swap\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<style><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3{ --miner-navy:#1f2740; --miner-gold:#cf9a33; --miner-red:#9e1b32; --miner-body:#3a3a3a;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-family:'Titillium Web',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color:var(--miner-body); line-height:1.7em; padding-top:0 !important; margin-top:0 !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 .s3-band{ background:transparent; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:46px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 .s3-inner{ max-width:1100px; margin:0 auto; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 p{ font-size:17px; line-height:1.7em; margin:0 0 0.6em; padding-bottom:0 !important; color:var(--miner-body); }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 .miner-quotebox{ position:relative; background:var(--miner-navy); padding:40px 46px 40px 46px; margin:26px 0 0; border-left:14px solid var(--miner-red); }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 .miner-quotebox h3{ font-family:'Fira Sans Condensed',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif !important; color:var(--miner-gold) !important; font-weight:300 !important; font-size:30px !important; line-height:1.3em !important; margin:0 0 18px !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 .miner-quotebox h4{ font-family:'Fira Sans Condensed',Arial,sans-serif !important; font-size:14px !important; color:#c8cdd6 !important; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.02em; margin:0 !important; font-weight:400 !important; line-height:1.4em !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s3 .miner-quotebox h4 strong{ color:var(--miner-gold); font-weight:700; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->@media (max-width:980px){ .cc-s3 .s3-band{ padding-top:0; padding-bottom:32px; } .cc-s3 .miner-quotebox h3{ font-size:24px !important; } }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/style>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-s3\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/p>\n<div class=\"s3-band\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/p>\n<div class=\"s3-inner\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <pee>It began in 1912, when Victor Benavidez sent his oldest son to Hurley, New Mexico, to look for work. Traveling for days on horseback, Lorenzo arrived, was hired on at the Chino Copper Company, and reported back that more jobs were available. With a large family to support, Victor followed with his wife and some of their children, traveling by covered wagon through winter conditions so that he and his son Manuel could begin work at Chino alongside Lorenzo.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <pee>And the rest, as they say, is history \u2013 a history the family continues to write.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-quotebox\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/p>\n<h3>\u201cShow up. That\u2019s the biggest key to success out here. The world needs what we provide, so if you show up every day, do your job and really put in the work, there\u2019s always going to be opportunities \u2013 the company will make sure of that.\u201d<\/h3>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/p>\n<h4><strong>GARY BENAVIDEZ<\/strong> | SUPPORT EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II-CHINO<\/h4>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- END SECTION 3 --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;30px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<!-- ============================================================<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     &#8220;Copper at Their Core&#8221; \u2014 SECTION 4 (print page 11)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     GRAY background, 2 EQUAL cols.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     COL1: photo (cutline BOTTOM-LEFT, extends PAST bottom edge) -><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->           &#8220;From the bottom up&#8221; subhead -> 6 paragraphs<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     COL2: &#8220;Built before, carried after&#8221; subhead -> 6 paragraphs -><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->           photo (cutline TOP-LEFT, extends ABOVE top edge)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     Paste into ONE Divi Code Module (full-width row). Photos = GRAY PH.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     ============================================================ &#8211;><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Taviraj:wght@100;200;300&#038;display=swap\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<style><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4{ --miner-slate:#3d485e; --miner-cream:#d8d4ca; --miner-red:#9e1b32; --miner-body:#3a3a3a; --miner-graybg:#ECEBE8;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  font-family:'Titillium Web',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color:var(--miner-body); line-height:1.7em; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .s4-band{ background:var(--miner-graybg); margin-left:-9999px; margin-right:-9999px; padding-left:9999px; padding-right:9999px; padding-top:46px; padding-bottom:46px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .s4-inner{ max-width:1100px; margin:0 auto; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 p{ font-size:17px; line-height:1.7em; margin:0 0 0.6em; padding-bottom:0 !important; color:var(--miner-body); }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .s4-cols{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:46px; align-items:start; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/* red-square subhead *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .sidebar-headline{ position:relative; font-family:'Titillium Web',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif !important; font-weight:600 !important; color:#3e485e !important; font-size:30px !important; line-height:1.15em !important; margin:0 0 14px !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .sidebar-headline-line{ position:absolute; top:6px; bottom:6px; left:0; width:14px; height:auto; background:var(--miner-red); }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .sidebar-headline > span:last-child{ display:inline-block; padding-left:26px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/* cutline photos *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .miner-cutline-photo{ position:relative; line-height:0; width:100%; display:block; overflow:visible !important; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .miner-cutline-photo img{ width:100% !important; display:block; height:auto; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .miner-ph{ width:100%; aspect-ratio:4\/5; background:#c9ccd1; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; color:#6b7280; font-size:13px; letter-spacing:.03em; font-family:'Fira Sans Condensed',Arial,sans-serif; text-transform:uppercase; line-height:1.3; text-align:center; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .miner-cutline-text{ position:absolute; width:80%; max-width:80%; padding:12px 16px; background:rgba(46,54,69,0.82); font-family:'Fira Sans Condensed',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-weight:700; line-height:1.45em; color:var(--miner-cream); z-index:10; box-sizing:border-box; margin:0; text-align:left; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/* COL1 photo: cutline bottom-left, hangs PAST the bottom edge *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .photo-col1{ margin:0 0 70px; }   \/* room for the overhang *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .photo-col1 .miner-cutline-text{ left:0; bottom:-40px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/* COL2 photo: cutline top-left, hangs ABOVE the top edge *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .photo-col2{ margin:100px 0 0; }    \/* 50px requested gap + 50px room for the overhang *\/<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->.cc-s4 .photo-col2 .miner-cutline-text{ left:0; top:-40px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->@media (max-width:980px){<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s4 .s4-cols{ grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:24px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  .cc-s4 .s4-band{ padding-top:32px; padding-bottom:32px; }<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/style>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-s4\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/p>\n<div class=\"s4-band\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/p>\n<div class=\"s4-inner\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <\/p>\n<div class=\"s4-cols\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <!-- COL 1 --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-col1\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-cutline-photo photo-col1\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/copper-at-their-core-Taking-advantage-of-the-opportunities.jpg\" alt=\"Gary Benavidez worked his way up from utility crew member to a support equipment operator.\" style=\"width:100%; aspect-ratio:1.33\/1; object-fit:cover; display:block;\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->            <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-cutline-text\">Taking advantage of the opportunities New Mexico Operations provided, Gary Benavidez worked his way up from utility crew member to a support equipment operator.<\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sidebar-headline\"><span class=\"sidebar-headline-line\"><\/span><span>From the bottom up<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>Going strong for six generations now, several members of the family still work at Chino today. Gary Benavidez, Support Equipment Operator II-Chino, one of those members, said that sort of longevity comes down to two words.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>\u201cShow up,\u201d Gary said. \u201cThat\u2019s the biggest key to success out here. The world needs what we provide, so if you show up every day, do your job and really put in the work, there\u2019s always going to be opportunities \u2013 the company will make sure of that.\u201d<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>His own career reflects that approach. Gary joined Chino\u2019s utility crew in 2018 and steadily worked his way through the company\u2019s line of progression, advancing to Truck Driver Trainee, Truck Driver I, and Truck Driver II before making the jump to being an equipment operator. And every step of the way, he said, the company provided the training and support needed to turn his experience into advancement.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>For James Benavidez, Maintenance Supervisor-Chino, those are the sort of stories he hears all the time about his family, and each one makes him proud.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>His late father, David \u201cLarry\u201d Benavidez, rose from a role in security to Senior Supervisor of Drilling and Blasting, and James followed if not the same path at least a similar trajectory. A self-described \u201ctire man at heart,\u201d James worked a little bit of everything \u2013 from driving to leaching \u2013 before becoming a supervisor, working his way from the bottom up, like so many others in his family.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of pride in our family name,\u201d James said. \u201cBut knowing that reputation was earned makes you work harder, because you don\u2019t want to be the one who takes away from it. You want to add to it, the same way all those before you did.\u201d<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <!-- COL 2 --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/p>\n<div class=\"cc-col2\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sidebar-headline\" style=\"margin-top:100px;\"><span class=\"sidebar-headline-line\"><\/span><span>Built before, carried after<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>That idea \u2013 that reputation is built through effort and maintained through accountability \u2013 is something Danny Benavidez also came to understand.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>Danny fully admits that when he started as a surveyor and draftsman nearly 30 years ago, he thought it was a job like any other \u2013 a way to support his family, just like Victor Benavidez sought so long ago. However, that all changed the moment his father-in-law asked him not about his salary or benefits but about the color of his hard hat.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>The question was simple, but the answer meant everything.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>In that moment, Danny said, he realized that he was being seen at work as something his family had rarely been afforded: an equal. Shielded from many of the obstacles earlier generations faced, Danny now was stepping through doors they worked to open and into spaces to which they never had access.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>From becoming a surveyor with a white hard hat to a superintendent in the corner office to a manager at one of the company\u2019s most important mines, Danny now recognizes each triumph in his career as a triumph for all those who came before, and a reminder that progress \u2013 like great companies \u2013 is built over time.<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <pee>\u201cFreeport has a long history,\u201d Danny said. \u201cAnd that history belongs just as much to the people who have been a part of it, the people who have put in the work generation after generation, the people who have copper at their core.\u201d<\/pee><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-cutline-photo photo-col2\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/copper-at-their-core-james-benavidez.jpg\" alt=\"James Benavidez, his late father David Benavidez and his uncle Danny Benavidez represent a family tradition spanning six generations of mining at Chino.\" style=\"width:100%; aspect-ratio:1.33\/1; object-fit:cover; display:block;\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->            <\/p>\n<div class=\"miner-cutline-text\">James Benavidez (left), his late father David Benavidez and his uncle Danny Benavidez represent a family tradition spanning six generations of mining at Chino.<\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->          <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->        <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->    <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- END SECTION 4 -->[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#3d485e&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|50px|0px|50px|false|false&#8221; global_module=&#8221;1861&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_text=&#8221;Prev Page&#8221; next_text=&#8221;Next Page&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;Fira Sans Condensed|700||on|||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[24],"class_list":["post-4336","issue-article","type-issue-article","status-publish","hentry","category-summer-2026"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue-article\/4336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue-article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/issue-article"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fmminermag.com\/htdocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}