LOUIS D. RICKETTS

Louis Davidson Ricketts was an influential American economic geologist, metallurgist, mining engineer, and banker. He started his career in the mining sector in Leadville, Colorado, and joined Phelps Dodge in 1890. Despite early setbacks, he eventually achieved significant success in the industry. Ricketts played a pivotal role in transforming the modest Pilares mine in Sonora into a profitable copper production site by constructing modern facilities and establishing railroad connections.

After his tenure at Phelps Dodge, Ricketts continued to advance the copper industry. He designed major metallurgical plants for several companies, including Old Dominion, Copper Queen, and Anaconda interests. Notably, he introduced the first froth flotation plant at the Inspiration mine, which revolutionized copper processing methods. Additionally, he developed groundbreaking copper-leaching technology with electrolytic refining at the New Cornelia mine, significantly influencing modern leaching processes globally.