BINGHAM CANYON MINE

The open pit mines mainly copper, but also other gems such as coal, silver, and molybdenum

The Bingham County Mine is owned by the Rio Tinto Group

• The Bingham canyon mine is owned by the Rio Tinto Group
• The open pit mines mainly copper, but also other gems such as coal, silver, and molybdenum

17 million tons of copper, 23 million ounces of gold, 190 million ounces of silver, and 850 million pounds of molybdenum have been mined at this site.

The estimated value of these metals is around $1.8 billion dollars

PROCESSING

• The ore is removed by electronic shovels and put into dump trucks which carry the ore to the Copperton Contractor Plant
• The metals are then processed by Froth flotation. This is a chemical processed used to extract the useful minerals.

INTERESTING FACTS

• The Bingham Canyon Mine is the largest man-made feature visible to the naked eye from an orbiting space shuttle
• A landslide occurred at the mine on April 10, 2013, it was the largest non-volcanic landslide in the history of North America

ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION

• KUCC spent more than $350 million dollars on the cleanup of waste at this site
• Reduction of asbestos levels to help preserve air
• Actions taken to prevent chemical spills that lead to groundwater contamination

ENVIROMENTAL IMPACTS

• Asbestos have been released into air and are responsible for illnesses such as skin warts and lung cancer
• In 1990 homes build were contaminated with high levels of lead and arsenic
• Responsible for contamination for some groundwater near by
• Almost 30% of nearby fish population was killed by selenium exposure

MINE PICS

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