Milton H. Ward

(1932-2011)

1993 Inductee into American Mining Hall of Fame

Milt Ward earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama and began his career in 1955 when he joined the San Manuel Copper Corporation. His career has since taken him to Kerr McGee, where he rose to division engineer, then to the United Nuclear-Homestake Partners for Homestake Mining Company as general manager. He then moved to Ranchers Exploration and Development Corporation, where he served as vice president of operations. He then joined Freeport Minerals, where he advanced to president and Chief Operating Officer and became the CEO of several of the Freeport-McMoRan divisions.

On May 14, 1992, Ward was appointed Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Cyprus Minerals Company. There, he undertook a vigorous streamlining effort of the company, and oversaw a merger with Amax, Inc. Under Ward's leadership, Cyprus has expanded its core business in copper and coal and is now recognized as one of the largest mining companies in the world.

Ward is active with the American Mining Congress, having served as chairman and director from 1989 to 1992. He received the "Distinguished Member Award" and the "Saunders Gold Medal"  from the AIME and is the past president and a member of the executive committee of the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America.

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