Degrees
Bachelor's, University of Arizona, Mining Engineering (1975)
Issue Stances
Criminal Justice / Public Safety
Education
Environment / Energy
Infrastructure / Transportation

Walter “Les” Presmyk

Les Presmyk spent 42+ years as a mining engineer in copper mines with Miami Copper Company in Miami, Arizona, with Magma Copper Company in Superior, Arizona and with coal mines in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico for Salt River Project, Arizona’s second largest electric utility. He and his wife of 49 years, Paula, are Arizona natives and are both graduates of the University of Arizona. Les has been actively involved in his community of Gilbert, Arizona for over 30 years, serving as an H.O.A. president, Planning Commissioner, and Town Councilmember for 12 years.

Arizona State Mine Inspector - Walter Presmyk

At the same time, I have devoted countless hours volunteering on boards and commissions throughout Gilbert and the Southeast Valley. My main focus has been supporting our Veterans and their families—a commitment I continue as a member of Gilbert’s Veterans Advisory Board.

Message From Les Presmyk

Walter “Les” Presmyk is an Arizona native. He earned a bachelor's degree in mining engineering from the University of Arizona. He has been married to Paula for 49 years and serves on Gilbert’s Veterans Advisory Board.

Walter "Les" Presmyk | BallotReady

Arizona State Mine Inspector - Walter Presmyk - SME Tucson Section

Inspector Presmyk’s credentials include:

Mining Engineering degree from the College of Mines at University of Arizona,
Principal Mining Engineer for Salt River Project from 1987-2017
Over 15 years working in mines in Arizona including time at Magma Copper Company, Magma Mine (Superior), San Manuel Mine (San Manuel), and Miami Copper Company (Miami),
Town of Gilbert Councilmember from 1999-2011

Governor Katie Hobbs Appoints Les Presmyk To Serve As State Mine Inspector

I have worked in large underground and open-pit copper mines, overseen mine plans and capital budgets in Arizona’s largest coal mine, and managed my own small mining operation. I was also the Trapper Mining Company’s (Craig, Colorado) board chairman during the final five years of my career.

Les previously worked as a principal mining engineer for Salt River Project. He also worked in Arizona mines, including Magma Copper Company's Magma Mine and San Manuel Mine, and Miami Copper Company's Miami mine, and managed a small mining operation.

Governor Katie Hobbs Appoints Les Presmyk to Serve as State Mine ...

I was selected by Governor Katie Hobbs from a group of six Republican applicants to fill the vacant term of the previous Republican Mine Inspector. I have taken these responsibilities seriously and hope the voters of Arizona will give me another four years to continue the good work this office is doing.

Currently holds the office of Arizona Mine Inspector until January 4, 2027.
Candidate for Arizona Mine Inspector in 2026 Arizona General Election.

Les currently serves as Arizona State Mine Inspector after Governor Katie Hobbs selected him to fill the vacancy for the previous inspector's term. He previously served as a Town of Gilbert councilmember from 1999 to 2011.

Les currently serves as Arizona State Mine Inspector after Governor Katie Hobbs appointed him to fill the vacancy left by the previous inspector's term. He previously served as a Town of Gilbert councilmember from 1999 to 2011.

2026 Arizona General Election

According to Presmyk, copper mining generates $15 billion to $20 billion for Arizona, while total mining output reaches $35 billion. He stated this economic output is sufficient to fund the state government as well as municipal budgets across Phoenix and Tucson with remaining funds left over. Presmyk described the state mine inspector's office as educators and mentors rather than strict regulators like federal agencies.

2026 Election: Arizona Mine Inspector candidates face off in debate

He said inspectors visit work sites, such as truck shops, to explain unsafe conditions and demonstrate how to correct them. Presmyk added that safety is an integral component of mining alongside production. He pointed to new operations like South 32, Ivanhoe Electric, and Arizona Sonoran Copper, noting their goals of achieving zero serious accidents and zero fatalities over multi-decade lifespans by establishing safety as an initial workplace culture.

Goals & Priorities

Serve as an ambassador for the mining industry.

Receive MSHA certification for the department’s New Miner Training for underground miners, utilizing the University of Arizona’s San Xavier mine for this training.

Provide staff with additional educational opportunities to enhance their professional advancement.

Continuously improve staff performance and actions.

Support Arizona State University’s Center for Mining Innovation.

Presmyk for Mine Inspector

Strengthen the partnership with the University of Arizona’s College of Mines and support its various mining education programs.

Partner with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Land Department to continue inventorying abandoned mines.

Work with the legislature to improve and streamline laws governing final mine reclamation.

Work with mining companies to preserve Arizona’s mineral legacy.

Reach out to schools and universities to promote mining job opportunities.

Partner with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Land Department to continue inventorying abandoned mines.

Work with the legislature to improve and streamline laws governing final mine reclamation.

Work with mining companies to preserve Arizona’s mineral legacy.

Reach out to schools and universities to promote mining job opportunities.

Support various research projects, including Arizona State University’s examination of new uses for mill tailings and the Mine Inspector’s Arizona Board of Regents project with the University of Arizona for recovering strategic metals in mill tailings.

Strengthen the partnership with the University of Arizona’s College of Mines and support its various mining education programs.

Partner with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Land Department to continue inventorying abandoned mines.

Work with the legislature to improve and streamline laws governing final mine reclamation.

Support the 48th Annual Intercollegiate Mining Games in 2026, hosted at the University of Arizona’s San Xavier mine.

Support various research projects, including Arizona State University’s examination of new uses for mill tailings and the Mine Inspector’s Arizona Board of Regents project with the University of Arizona for recovering strategic metals in mill tailings.

Strengthen the partnership with the University of Arizona’s College of Mines and support its various mining education programs.

Partner with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Land Department to continue inventorying abandoned mines.

Said the Mine Inspector’s office should act as an educator and mentor rather than a strict regulator.

Said inspectors should explain unsafe worksite conditions and demonstrate how to correct them.

Believes inspectors should explain unsafe worksite conditions and demonstrate how to correct them.

Plans to obtain Mine Safety and Health Administration certification for the department’s training of new underground miners at the University of Arizona’s San Xavier mine.

Plans to provide staff with educational opportunities for professional advancement and continuously improve staff performance.

Plans to partner with state environmental and land agencies to continue inventorying abandoned mines.

Plans to work with the legislature to improve and streamline laws governing final mine reclamation.

Plans to strengthen the department’s partnership with the University of Arizona’s College of Mines and support its mining education programs.

Supports research into new uses for mill tailings and the recovery of strategic metals from mill tailings.

- Said the Mine Inspector’s office should act as an educator and mentor rather than a strict regulator.
- Believes inspectors should explain unsafe worksite conditions and demonstrate how to correct them.
- Plans to obtain Mine Safety and Health Administration certification for the department’s training of new underground miners at the University of Arizona’s San Xavier mine.
- Plans to provide staff with educational opportunities for professional advancement and continuously improve staff performance.
- Plans to partner with state environmental and land agencies to continue inventorying abandoned mines.
- Plans to work with the legislature to improve and streamline laws governing final mine reclamation.
- Plans to strengthen the department’s partnership with the University of Arizona’s College of Mines and support its mining education programs.
- Supports research into new uses for mill tailings and the recovery of strategic metals from mill tailings.

Administration

Walter "Les" Presmyk

- Plans to obtain Mine Safety and Health Administration certification for the department’s training of new underground miners at the University of Arizona’s San Xavier mine.
- Plans to provide staff with educational opportunities for professional advancement and continuously improve staff performance.
- Plans to partner with state environmental and land agencies to continue inventorying abandoned mines.
- Plans to work with the legislature to improve and streamline laws governing final mine reclamation.
- Plans to strengthen the department’s partnership with the University of Arizona’s College of Mines and support its mining education programs.
- Supports research into new uses for mill tailings and the recovery of strategic metals from mill tailings.