The Hermosa Mine outside of Patagonia, Arizona is expected to contribute $676 million annually into Arizona’s economy as one of the world’s biggest producers of zinc. 

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company with operations in Australia, Southern Africa, South America and now North America, with the addition of Hermosa Mine near Patagonia, Arizona. Hermosa, one of the most exciting base metals project in the industry, is expected to become one of the world’s biggest producers of zinc. The mine also is expected to produce significant amounts of lead and silver, along with manganese, and a concentration of copper also has been found in some areas.

According to an economic-impact report released by Arizona State University, the Hermosa Project is expected to have an average of 451 employees over a project lifespan now expected to last until 2049, with a peak of 525 workers, and those jobs will support an average of 3,225 other private, nonfarm jobs. Over its projected 32-year life, the mine is expected to add more than $21 billion to the state gross domestic product, adding $676 million annually into Arizona’s economy.

Hermosa provides the opportunity to leverage the underground mining and processing methods South32 uses at its Cannington operation in Queensland, Australia. South32 works in collaboration with its host communities to deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefit. The company’s sustainability approach and actions aim to create positive change by supporting local health and well-being, quality education, economic growth, industry innovation, climate action, responsible consumption and production and life on the land.

From left: Denise Bowden and Diana Marquez at South32’s Patagonia Office and Visitor Center.

South32 is a major sponsor of Mat Bevel Company’s educational world-building course called The Universe Within. Their support has been a critical component in helping a small team to develop 32 hours of curriculum that will benefit 26 third and fourth graders at Patagonia Public Schools. Lessons have been designed to increase student’s creative intelligence using the educational industry’s best practices as well as creative play from Mat Bevel Company President Ned Schaper magical world of Beveldom and his lifelong Available Resource Technology (A.R.T.) creative training practices. The course will be taught beginning in early March by science and math teacher David Clovesko-Wharton.

According to Greg Lucero, vice president of community and government affairs for South32, “We support Mat Bevel Company because we believe that this innovative curriculum will cultivate creativity and innovation in students who participate in the program. Our goal is to employ local talent and thereby offer the community economic opportunities. Having a workforce that can innovate and solve problems is critical to our success.” 

You can visit the South32 Visitor’s Center at 303 McKweon Avenue in Patagonia or their main office in Tucson located at 2210 E. Fort Lowell Road.  Learn more about South32 at their website: https://www.south32.net.

NP Photonics proprietary fiber technology is used in various applications, including acoustic sensing, LIDAR, injection seeding and environmental sensing, coherent communication, optical trapping, and short pulse and SBS-free amplification applications.

Founded in 1998, NP Photonics is a leading manufacturer of specialty fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers and transport fibers for the near- and mid-infrared (IR) wavelength bands. The company makes 1-micron, 1.5-micron and 2-micron fiber lasers, multi-channel fiber laser systems, fiber amplifiers, and mid-infrared transport fibers. The company’s core strengths are technology innovation, product development, quality engineering and manufacturing world-class products for applications in Oil and Gas sensing, defense, metrology and research markets through distributors or sales representatives worldwide.

NP Photonics sponsored Mat Bevel Company’s coursework The Universe Within to help STEM education, outreach to minority populations and enhance diversity.

From left: Joshua Olson, a graduate student studying ultrafast fiber lasers; Nasser Peyghambarian; Veyesi Demir, a postdoctoral researcher working on optical computing. (Photo: Paul Tumarkin/Tech Launch Arizona)

Dr. Nasser Peyghambarian is the Founder and General Manager of NP Photonics. He joined the University of Arizona in 1982 where he is currently a Professor at both the College of Optical Sciences and the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. Dr. Peyghambarian is also Chair of Photonics and Lasers at the University of Arizona. He is the Director of the National Scienmce Foundation Center for Integrated Access Networks, 2008-present.

Dr. Peyghambarian’s research has been, and continues to be, widely published. His research interests include optical networks and optical communication, fiber optics, fiber lasers and amplifiers, quantum science and engineering, organic photonics, 3D holographic display and 3D telepresence, nonlinear photonics, optical modulators and switches, laser spectroscopy, nanostructures, and quantum dots. He has been an author on more than 600 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and his research has been reported in over 700 invited talks, published conference proceedings, and contributed presentations.  Additionally, he has authored or co-authored 28 books and book chapters and is the inventor on 36 patents.

He is the recipient of the University of Arizona 2007 Technology Innovation Award, International Francqui Chair, Belgium 1998-1999, TRW Young Faculty Award, and 3M Company’s Young Faculty Award. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Optical Society of America (OSA), the Society for optical engineers (SPIE), and the American Physical Society (APS). 

In 2016, Dr. Peyghambarian was elected as a 2016 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, a high professional distinction accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society. The technology that the UA licensed to NP Photonics represents one of the largest licensing agreements in UA history. 

As a teacher, Dr. Peyghambarian has advised over 80 graduate students who can be found in leading positions around the world in industry, academia and government labs.

Both undergraduate and graduate students have benefited greatly from the research opportunities provided through Dr. Peyghambarian’s research group, and his combination of teaching, advising and research has prepared many students for successful careers in optics.

NP Photonics currently has over 1,400 lasers installed worldwide, and continues to grow through technology development, strategic partnerships and engagement with markets in which the company has a clear sustainable advantage. Since its inception, NP Photonics has successfully engaged in government-sponsored and customer-funded development programs to leverage core competencies and develop new technologies.

For more information visit NP Phontonics online.

The nonprofit Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts (SCFPA) is dedicated to presenting high-quality live performances of classical and contemporary chamber music in the Benderly-Kendall Opera House, its exquisite performing arts building.

During the 2017-2018, SCFPA presented 25 performances at its Opera House in Patagonia. A fantastic array of outstanding concerts is scheduled for the 2018-2019 season with performances from November through April.

Musicians from around the world look forward to performing at the Opera House. One musician said, “It’s like a dream come true.” Both Patagonia residents and visitors agree that the Benderly-Kendall Opera House is an amazing community treasure.

Over a century ago, Patagonia’s bustling community frequented its very own opera house. In 2017, SCFPA revived the tradition by building a new one that’s inspired by the classical elegance of the music salons in Europe. Today SCFPA’s Opera House seats audiences of up to 80 guests for its intimate and acoustically rich performances.

In addition to the Opera House, SCPFA has a professional, custom designed stage on wheels called the Concert Haul® that brings performers to the audience. The Concert Haul® also serves as the onsite venue for SCFPA series of free outdoor community concert series during the month of June.

SCFPA’s Opera House seats audiences of up to 80 guests for its intimate and acoustically rich performances.

In addition to sponsoring nonprofit Mat Bevel Company’s work, SCFPA generously supports many local nonprofit organizations.

CHOP – Community Housing in Patagonia
The Santa Cruz Parent Love Connection
Mountain Empire Rotary
Patagonia Creative Arts Association/Tin Shed Theater
Patagonia Fall Festival (Main Sponsor this year 2017)
Patagonia Youth Enrichment
Patagonia Fire Department
Patagonia 4th of July Committee
St Andrews Children’s Clinic Nogales
KPUP Community Radio Station
Patagonia Regional Community Foundation
Patagonia Union High School
Holiday Art Walk
Tumacacori National Historical Park

For more information and a schedule of concerts, visit SCFPA online.

Emily Tellez is a painter and mixed-media artist whose path collided with the world of Beveldom when she lived in Tucson from 1984-1998.   Back then it was mutual admiration all around. Ned and Paula were inspired by Emily’s work and Emily was inspired by Ned’s mad genius and Paula’s spunk and kindred spirit. 

In 1998, Emily graduated from University of Arizona with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and moved to the East Coast. In 2000, she got her Master in Fine Arts at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and won an Artist In Residency in Provincetown, MA. Since then she has worked as an art handler for 17 years and has created several public art works.  

Today, Emily lives in Washington D.C. where she works in her Wells Ave Studio. She continues to support the expanding work of Mat Bevel Company. This year she purchased merchandise and became a sponsor during the “Building Our Universe Together” fundraising campaign.

Artist Emily Tellez as part of her mind bending installation!

Part of “Emily’s Mind Bending Optical installation,” the 90 umbrellas suspended from the ceiling!