Technical Tours

Technical Tours

Technical Tours Flyer

Saturday, June 20, 2026

ASARCO Mission Mine Tour

Price: $95

Description: Join us for a guided tour of ASARCO’s Mission Mine and the Mineral Discovery Center in Sahuarita, Arizona. Participants will gain insight into open-pit copper mining operations, geology, and reclamation practices, along with an overview of mineral processing and sustainability efforts. The visit includes interpretive exhibits and an overview of current mining technologies and operations in southern Arizona. 

The group will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 10:00 am and return at 5:00 pm. Meal and transportation provided. Closed foot shoes are required. (No Crocs, flip flops, or sandals)

Visit the ASARCO Mission Mine Website to learn more!

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Sonoran Desert Museum CompanionTour

Price: $105

Description:

The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors!

The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.

  • 21 interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats
  • 242 animal species
  • Plants from 1,200 taxa — 56,000 individual specimens
  • One of the world’s most comprehensive regional mineral collections

Beyond merely an attraction, the Museum’s conservation and research programs are providing important information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region.

The group will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 7:30 am and return at 4:00 pm. Transportation provided. 

Visit the Museum Website to learn more!

Monday, June 22, 2026

Downtown Tucson Companion Trip

Price: $50

Description: 

Looking to explore? Take a trip to Downtown Tuscon! We will have a travel service available. 

The first trip will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 6:00pm. Drop off in Downtown Tuscon will be at 6:30pm.
The second trip will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 7:00pm. Drop off in Downtown Tuscon will be at 7:30pm. 
The final trip will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 8:00pm. Drop off in Downtown Tuscon will be at 8:30pm. 
The Final pick up time is at 9:00pm to return to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 9:30pm. 

Thursday, June 25, 2026

San Xavier Underground Laboratory

Price: $90

Description:

The San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory is a one-of-a-kind teaching and research facility just south of Tucson, operated by the University of Arizona. The site features a dedicated underground classroom and educational space, the historic “I’ve Had It” Adit, and the modern East Decline – an active underground development that University staff and students are advancing as part of hands-on education and applied research.
 
It serves as a living laboratory where students gain practical experience in underground mining methods, ground control, ventilation, mapping, and geotechnical instrumentation, bridging classroom learning with real-world mining practice.
 
The group will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 8:00 am and return at 2:30 pm. Meal and transportation provided.
 
Visist the San Xavier Mine Website to learn more.

Price: $80

Description:

Hermosa is a South32 greenfield underground mining development in the Patagonia Mountains of Southern Arizona. It is being designed with advanced technologies to improve safety and set a new standard for sustainable mining.
 
Construction includes a concentrator, critical supporting infrastructure within a compact site footprint alongside the simultaneous sinking of two shafts and the advancement of a decline, which are the backbone of underground access and future production.
 
Development is progressing rapidly, with parallel development of a tailings storage facility (TSF) and major power infrastructure to support processing and mining operations. Ground stability and geotechnical considerations are a key focus, with monitoring and design strategies integrated into planning to manage risk.
 
A visit to Hermosa offers the opportunity to see a dynamic, real-time example of modern integrated mine development where multidisciplinary teams closely coordinate engineering, construction, and operational planning to deliver the foundation of South32’s next generation mine. 
 
The group will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 7:30 am and return at 2:30 pm. Meal and transportation provided.
 
Visit the Hermosa Mine Website to learn more.

Price: $80

Description:

Mount Lemmon, with a summit elevation of 9,171 feet, is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Come learn about regional structural geology and take break from heat.

The group will leave Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at 8:00 am and return at 2:30 pm. Meal and transporation provided. 

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