SALT LAKE CITY, Utah- Rio Tinto Kennecott is reclaiming 740
additional acres of land at the Bingham Canyon Mine as part of the
company’s commitment to the environment and the local community. The East
Waste Rock Reclamation project entered its third phase this summer and is
expected to last through 2028.
This latest phase of the reclamation process includes softening the grade
of approximately 12.4 million cubic yards of waste rock that was created
during mining, covering it with 3.7 million cubic yards of top soil, and
planting 23 varieties of natural grasses and shrubs native to the area.
This restoration process enhances biodiversity on the remediated land and
improves the appearance of the mine for residents throughout Salt Lake
Valley.
Rio Tinto Kennecott Managing Director Nate Foster said: “Rio Tinto
Kennecott is committed to leaving a lasting legacy with our neighbors that
have shared our history for over 120 years now. We’re investing in
restoring hundreds of acres of land back to its natural beauty in areas we
no longer need for active mining, as part of our long-term commitment to be
responsible stewards in our community.”
Phase 1 of the project lasted from 2018 to 2020 and reclaimed two waste
rock lifts, or levels. Phase 2 ran from 2021 to 2022 and reclaimed three
waste rock lifts, and now phase 3 will fully reclaim the remaining East
Waste Rock lifts to complete the project. This reclamation was included in
the permitting through the Utah Department of Oil, Gas, and Mining and the
Division of Water Quality.
Upon completion of phase 3, the improvements to the East Waste Rocks will
also help maintain critical erosion control, which will positively impact
stormwater management in the area.
