Helvetia Copper Co. - 1911-20 dated Arizona Mining Stock Certificate - Uncanceled

Uncanceled stock printed by Franklin Lee Division-American Bank Note Co., Boston. Excellent Condition. Available in Brown or Green. Please specify color.

The Helvetia Copper Co. of Arizona played a pivotal role in shaping the mining history of the Santa Rita Mountains, located southeast of Tucson. Formally established in late 1905, the company was a reorganization of the earlier Helvetia Copper Co. of New Jersey. At its zenith in the early 1900s, Helvetia became Pima County’s largest mining camp, housing over 500 residents and supporting numerous claims, including the Copper World, Leader, and Old Dick mines. The company invested significantly in infrastructure, installing a 150-ton smelter and a narrow-gauge railroad to facilitate ore transportation. However, operations faced challenges due to high transportation costs and water shortages, which frequently led to the smelter’s idling. Consequently, the town eventually abandoned by the early 1920s.

In 2026, the legacy of the Helvetia Copper Co. is being revived through the Copper World Complex, a monumental project spearheaded by Hudbay Minerals. This modern endeavor encompasses the historical Helvetia townsite and aims to transform approximately 25 historical mines into a multi-phase open-pit operation. Recent developments in 2025 and early 2026 have focused on securing project financing and navigating the appeals process for final permits. If realized, the project is poised to become one of the largest domestic copper producers in the United States, with initial construction milestones anticipated by the first half of 2026. Despite its economic potential, the site continues to be a subject of contention among environmental and indigenous groups, who express concerns about its potential impact on the Santa Rita Mountains.