Kennecott - Example of major mining extraction

• Kennecott Bingham - Key Facts:

  • Lies 30 miles south-west of Salt Lake City.
  • The largest copper mine in the USA and has been nicknamed the 'grandaddy of all copper mines' and the 'richest hole on Earth'.
  • Primarily a copper mine, produces gold, silver, molybdenum, platinum and palladium.
  • It is the world’s deepest man-made open pit excavation - 4.5km deep and 1.2km deep.
  • Employs 2000 workers.
  • 500 miles of internal roads.
  • 450,000 tonnes of rock are extracted daily.
  • The value of metals produced annually is >$1.8billion.
• Kennecott Bingham - Environmental Issues (Damage to Fish and Wildlife):

  •  Pollution of the Great Salt Lake by selenium and copper.
  • 1/4 of the selenium found in the lake comes from the mine.
  • Groundwater pollution has damaged fish and wildlife habitats.
  • Migratory birds and their ecosystems have been harmed.
  • Wetlands, marshes, river banks, beaches and freshwater ponds.
  • Extremely toxic to many birds, fish and amphibians.
• Kennecott Bingham - Environmental Issues (Groundwater Contamination):

  • Wastewater from the site has escaped the site’s collection system, contaminating groundwater with acid metals and sulfates.
  • The concentrated area of contaminated water is roughly 72 miles^2.
  • Renders the groundwater for thousands of Salt Lake City undrinkable.
  • This leakage occurred because Kennecott operated a reservoir without a liner for 3 decades, so contaminated water was properly contained.
• Kennecott Bingham - Environmental Issues (Air Pollution):

  • 450,000 tonnes of rock are extracted daily, which creates vast amounts of dust that pollutes the surrounding areas, posing health risks to local residents.
  • The 64 large dumper trucks produce emissions, further damaging the air quality locally, and contributing to acid deposition and climate change.
  • Transport of products out of the mine
  • The ore is transported by an 8km long series of conveyor belts to the processing plants.
• Kennecott Bingham - Management of Issues:

  • Water trucks with 50,000-gallon tanks spray water onto roads to reduce dust.