Ira Joralemon

Ira Beaman Joralemon (1884 – 1975) was an American mining engineer, economic geologist, and mining company executive, who specialized in exploration and mining of copper ore deposits. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Joralemon was involved in the discovery and development of numerous major copper and gold deposits, many of which went on to become operational mines. In addition to his professional career within the minerals industry, he was also a popular science author and historian of the mining industry.

Ira B. Joralemon graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. (magna cum laude) in Mining and Metallurgy in 1905, and received an A.M. degree in the same subject from the same institution in 1907.

After graduation he took a job as a mining engineer with the Calumet & Arizona Mining Company, working on their copper mining properties near Bisbee, Arizona. Following the appointment of new C&A Company General Manager John C. Greenway in 1911, it was Joralemon's assessment of copper mineralization found near Ajo, Arizona, that persuaded Greenway the C&A Company should purchase a controlling interest in the fledgeling New Cornelia Copper Company who were developing the property, which would eventually become the New Cornelia mine. Joralemon played a key part in the development of the New Cornelia mine, the first large open-pit copper mine in the state, and was instrumental in adopting a high-risk exploration strategy which successfully located what became the United Verde Extension mine near Jerome, Arizona. He rose through the ranks of the C&A Company to become first Chief Geologist and then Assistant General Manager in 1917 and 1919, respectively.

His work with the C&A Company was interrupted by World War I, during which Joralemon served with the United States Army Air Service between 1917 and 1919. For part of this time Major Joralemon was a member of General Billy Mitchell's staff, and was commended by Mitchell for his "wonderful work" during preparations for the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. For his service to France the French government awarded him the distinction of Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur in 1918.

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