Kennecott Copper Mine

• Where


  Utah, US
• Owned by


  Rio Tinto
• Impacts of extraction


  pollution of the scenery - 4.5 km wide, 1.2 km deep hole that would seat 9 million if it was a stadium, creates a significant scar on the landscape. air pollution - 45,000 tonnes of rock extracted daily => dust => health risks & 64 large dumpster => emissions, damages to fish and wildlife - 1/4 selenium found in the lake comes from the mine
• Impacts of processing


  groundwater contamination - wastewater from the site escaped sites collection system => contaminated groundwater (area of 186km^2) => undrinkable groundwater for thousands of salt lake city residents. groundwater pollution has damaged fish and wildlife habitats, migrating birds and their habitats (i.e. wetlands, freshwater ponds) have been harmed

  air pollution - ore is transported by an 8km long series of conveyers to the processing plants. lots of electricity used
• Impacts of distribution


  pollution from trucks
• Managing impacts: extraction


  trialling underground battery electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions, 8 haul trucks upgraded with new engines to reduce emissions, 8km conveyer system reduced haulage distances, uses caterpillar mechanical drive and Komatsu electric drive trucks, renewable deisel fuel trial
• Managing impacts: processing


  solar power plant at the side to replace closed coal fired plant
• Managing impacts: distribution


  trucks upgraded with new engines to reduce emission
• other info


  project recieved Copper Mark certification for responsible production - Aug 2020

  1st mine in the world to achieve this