Premises Description

Anaconda Copper Mining Company (founded 1881 in Butte, Montana; acquired by Atlantic Richfield Company / ARCO in 1977; ARCO closed Montana copper operations 1980) was through the 19th and 20th centuries the dominant U.S. copper producer and one of the world’s largest copper companies. Anaconda’s flagship operations included:

  • Berkeley Pit and Butte Mines (Butte MT) — the largest concentrated underground copper mining district in U.S. history
  • Anaconda Smelter (Anaconda MT) — historically the world’s largest copper smelter (closed 1980)
  • Great Falls MT Reduction Works — electrolytic refining and downstream rolling
  • Black Eagle MT — additional smelting operations
  • Tooele UT smelter — international operations
  • Rolling mills at Great Falls MT and East Chicago IN

The Anaconda copper smelter operated reverberatory furnaces, converter furnaces, and an extensive electrolytic refining and downstream rolling complex — all specified through the asbestos era with extensive asbestos refractory, asbestos pipe covering, asbestos electrical insulation, and asbestos plant fireproofing.

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that Anaconda Copper Mining Company and successor ARCO/ARCO Anaconda — as premises owner — exposed copper smelter and refinery workforce, miners, and contractor pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and trade workers to extensive asbestos materials.

Anaconda Copper Mining Company / ARCO has been named as a Premises Defendant in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation.

Workers Exposed

  • United Steelworkers Local members at Anaconda, Great Falls, Black Eagle, and Tooele
  • Underground miners (United Mine Workers / Western Federation of Miners) at Butte
  • Insulators (HFIAW Local members) on Anaconda construction and turnaround crews
  • Boilermakers and refinery pipefitters at Anaconda smelter and refinery
  • Electricians working Anaconda potline electrical systems
  • Construction-trade workforces on Anaconda capital projects

If You Worked at an Anaconda Copper Operation

If you worked at an Anaconda Copper Mining Company smelter, refinery, mine, or rolling mill during the asbestos era — including at Butte, Anaconda, Great Falls, Black Eagle, Tooele, or East Chicago — as an employee or as a dispatched contractor trade worker — and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, you may have legal rights.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956