Wesley P. Goss

(1899-1985)

1990 Inductee from Mining's Past

Wesley P. Goss began his mining career at Jerome, Arizona, following his graduation from the University of California at Berkeley in 1922 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. He held positions of continually increasing responsibility throughout his career. He became Assistant Superintendent in 1913 at the United Verde Copper Company in Jerome and then was General Superintendent of the Park City Consolidated Mines Company in Utah from 1934-1937. He moved to the O'okiep Copper Company in South Africa as Mine Superintendent from 1937-1941 and then returned to the United States as Assistant General Manager of the Grey Eagle Copper Company in Happy Camp, California, from 1942-1944.

Mr. Goss joined Magma Copper Company in 1944 as Vice-President and General Manager at Superior, Arizona, and held that position through 1953. He became President and General Manager of Magma in 1954 and served through 1971, when he retired from daily management. He continued to work as Chairman of the Board of Directors until 1983. His foresight, courage and skill were important to the development and successful operation of the underground block-caving mine, concentrator, smelter and related facilities at San Manuel, Arizona.

Wes Goss had a strong commitment to community service. He was a member and President of the Arizona Board of Regents from 1963-1970 and was a member of the Arizona Tariff Board. He was on the board of directors of numerous organizations and companies, including the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, Newmont, Homestake, Southern Arizona Bank, Apache Powder Company, and Magma Arizona Railroad. He was a founder, director and President of the Arizona Mining Association and was active in numerous professional societies. In 1966, the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical & Petroleum Engineers (AlME) bestowed its highest honor on Mr. Goss by presenting him with the “William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal Award” for his leadership in developing the San Manuel deposit.

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