The Beehive State has many claims to fame but there is one that is often overlooked — Utah is home to the world’s largest man-made open-pit copper mine. The Bingham Canyon Mine, also known as the Kennecott Copper Mine, is not only a remarkable place located near Salt Lake City, but this massive mine was truly a feat of engineering. It is definitely one Utah attraction that will intrigue generations for years to come. Continue reading to learn more and some interesting Bingham Canyon Mine facts.

The Bingham Canyon Mine is located in the Oquirrh Mountains, southwest of Salt Lake City. It first opened in 1903 and has become one of the most productive mines in the world. In fact, throughout the years, it has produced more than 20 million tons of refined copper ore.
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The mine is well known due to its enormous size. It drops more than 0.25 miles down in the earth and is approximately 1,900 acres. It is so large that it is visible to the naked eye in space.
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When mining first began at this site more than 100 years ago, shafts were sunk to remove gold, silver, and lead. However, this changed in the early 1900s when miners turned to open-pit mining.
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With this process, miners would excavate copper-containing rocks from the surface downward in terraces. After many years of this process, a large pit began to form.

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Today, this has turned into a massive operation with many moving parts from vehicles to people to ensure the process runs smoothly. The mine operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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You can visit this mine today with the Rio Tinto Kennecott Visitor Experience. Here, you can see first-hand how this mine works and the important role it plays.
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This self-guided tour lasts approximately one hour and tickets should be purchased in advance. You can learn more about this tour on the Rio Tinto website.
The Bingham Canyon Mine plays an important piece in Utah history and one that you must certainly check out.
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To get a glimpse of just how massive and incredible the Bingham Copper Mine truly is, check out this drone footage by Aaron Baker.

Learn more about the world’s largest man-made open-pit copper mine on the Rio Tinto website.

Have you ever taken a tour of this incredible mine in Utah? What did you learn and what did you enjoy most during the tour? Let us know in the comments!

After your tour, how about some ice cream? Check out Spilled Milk Ice Cream and Cereal Bar in Salt Lake City. This unique ice cream shop infuses ice cream and cereal to create one amazing creation!

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Bingham Canyon Mine

Courtnie Erickson | May 05, 2023

What are some interesting Bingham Canyon Mine facts?      

When thinking of cooper mines in Utah, Bingham Canyon Mine is typically the first to enter your mind and rightly so. This mine is incredibly important. Below are just a few basic Bingham Canyon Mine facts that you should know:

  • This incredible mine first opened in 1903.
  • Over the years, it has become one of the most productive mines in the entire world.
  • It has produced more than 20 million tons of refined copper ore.
  • You can view this mine with the naked eye all the way in space.
  • This mine operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

What other attractions in Utah should I visit?

While taking a tour at the Bingham Canyon Mine is certainly interesting, this isn’t the only must-see attraction in Utah you’ll want to check out. In fact, grab your family, hop in the car, and check out several other family-friendly attractions in the Beehive State:

 

What are some outdoor hidden gems in Utah that I should check out?

Utah is home to so many incredible things like the Bingham Canyon Mine. But, many of these features are lesser-known and considered hidden gems. While we could list many hidden gems in Utah, the following are just a few of our favorites and some that you should certainly check out.

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Bingham Copper Mine, Utah 84006, USA