A major, modern open pit copper operation, the Ray mine is part of Asarco's "Ray Complex" which includes this open pit mine, and associated crushing, heap-leaching, and smelting facilities, including the Hayden Smelter, 20 miles away. The Ray Complex covers 53,000 acres and employs 1,500 people. In 2000, Ray was the second largest copper mine in Arizona, the state that produces 65% of the nation's mined copper. This mine was purchased from Kennecott in 1986, and, since 1999, Asarco has been owned by Grupo Mexico, Mexico's largest mining company.