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Bingham Open Pit Mine

Producer in Salt Lake county in Utah, United States with commodities Copper, Molybdenum, Silver, Gold, Lead, Bismuth, Platinum, Zinc, Palladium, Nickel, Tellurium, Selenium
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Public Land Survey System information
  6. Commodities
  7. Materials information
  8. Alteration
  9. Mineral occurrence model information
  10. Host and associated rocks
  11. Nearby scientific data
  12. Geologic structures
  13. Ore body information
  14. Controls for ore emplacement
  15. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  16. Mining district
  17. Land status
  18. Ownership information
  19. Production statistics
  20. Reserves and resources
  21. Workings at the site
  22. Links to other databases
  23. Bibliographic references
  24. General comments
  25. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10069296
MRDS ID W002888
Record type Deposit
Current site name Bingham Open Pit Mine
Alternate or previous names Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah Copper

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -112.1458, 40.52077 (WGS84)
Elevation 1981
Location accuracy 100(meters)
Relative position 11,300 FT N73E OF CLIPPER PEAK, 20 MI SOUTHWEST OF SALT LAKE CITY, Accurate Within Pit

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Salt Lake(county)

Utah(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Bingham Canyon(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Tooele(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Tooele(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Jordan(hydrologic unit)

Jordan(hydrologic accounting unit)

Great Salt Lake(hydrologic subregion)

Great Basin(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Utah Salt Lake

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Salt Lake 003S 003W 25,26,27,34,35,36 Utah

Comments on the location information

  • DISTRICT ABOUT 14 SQUARE MILES

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Molybdenum Primary
Silver Primary
Gold Primary
Lead Secondary
Bismuth Critical Secondary
Platinum Critical Secondary
Zinc Critical Secondary
Palladium Critical Tertiary
Nickel Critical Tertiary
Tellurium Critical Tertiary
Selenium Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Bismuthinite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Galena Ore
Gold Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Pentlandite Ore
Platinum Ore
Pyrite Ore
Pyrrhotite Ore
Silver Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Magnetite Ore
Bornite Ore
Chalcocite Ore
Covellite Ore
Barite Gangue
Garnet Gangue
Orthoclase Gangue
Quartz Gangue
Rhodochrosite Gangue

Alteration

  • (Local) Biotitization, Actinolitization, Chloritization, Ferruginization, Felspathization, Sericitization, Dolomitization
  • (Local) Potassic, propylitic, sericitic, argillic

Analytical data

Result AVERAGE GRADE OF CU=0.62% WITH A CUTOFF GRADE OF 0.35%. PT=0.0034 OZ/TON (120 PPB), PD=0.0118 OZ/TON (400 PPB), AU=2.88 OZ/TON (99 PPM), AG=34.8 OZ/TON (1,200 PPM), SE=0.560 OZ/TON (19 PPM), BI=0.061 OZ/TON (2.1 PPM), NI=0.40 OZ/TON (14 PPM) (EILERS, 1913)

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 53
USGS model code 17
Deposit model name Porphyry Cu
Mark3 model number 4

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Felsic Volcanic Rock > Latite
    Rock unit name Bingham Stock;Last Chance Stock;Volcanic Rocks
    Rock description Bingham Stock;Last Chance Stock;Volcanic Rocks
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Pliocene
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Quartz Monzonite
    Rock type qualifier composite pluton-equigranular monzonite phase
    Rock unit name Bingham Stock
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Middle Eocene
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Metasedimentary Rock > Quartzite
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Siltstone
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
    Rock unit name Bingham Mine;Curry;Oquirrh Quartzite (Limestone, Sandstone, Shale)
    Rock description Bingham Mine;Curry;Oquirrh Quartzite (Limestone, Sandstone, Shale)
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Plutonic Rock
    Rock type qualifier Five intrusive phases: quartz monzonite porphyry, latite porphyry, quartz latite porphyry,biotite porphyry, and quartz latite porphyry breccia
    Rock unit name porphyry dikes intruded into Bingham stock
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Eocene

Nearby scientific data

(1) -112.1458, 40.52077
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure name Bingham Syncline; Northeast-Trending Faults; Occidental Fault;
Structure description Bingham Syncline; Northeast-Trending Faults; Occidental Fault; Bear Fault; Midas Thrust; Copperton Anticline
Type of structure Regional
Structure name Basin And Range Faulting
Structure description Basin And Range Faulting
Type of structure Local
Structure name Unita axis and subparallel NE-striking extensional faults

Ore body information

  • General form IRREGULAR-Concentric with a low-grade core grading upward and laterally to a molybdenite zone, copper shell, pyrite halo, Pb-Zn-Ag zone, and an outer Au zone.
    Depth to top 0M
    Depth to bottom 3000M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Fissures, Fractures, And Faults
  • Fold axes and thrust faults related to the Sevier Orogeny

Comments on the geologic information

  • PALEO SEDS SHOW CONSIDERABLE FOLDING

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1863
Discoverer G.P. Oglvie
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1868
Plant type Beneficiation (Mill)
Production years 1904-2008

Mining district

District name Bingham District

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Kennecott Copper Corp.
    Home office 200 Granville Street\nSuite 354\nVancouver BC V6C 1S4 \nCanada
  • Type Owner
    Owner RIO TINTO PLC

Comments on the ownership information

  • From ritchiewiki.com:
    Bingham Canyon is owned by Rio Tinto and operated through its 100 percent subsidiary Kennecott Utah Copper. It consists of the mine itself, the Copperton concentrator, and the Garfield smelter

    KENNECOTT EXPLORATION INC (RIO TINTO PLC)
    200 Granville Street
    Suite 354
    Vancouver BC V6C 1S4
    Canada
    Phone (604) 669-1880
    Fax (604) 669-5255
    Website www.kennecottexploration.com



Production statistics

  • Year 2000
    Material Rio Tinto 2002 Annual Report and Financial Statement, pp. 12-13.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 100091001.85g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 16453741.44g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 10100mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 295700mt
  • Year 2001
    Material Rio Tinto 2002 Annual Report and Financial Statement, pp. 12-13.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 139188077.47g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 18413260.75g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 8100mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 312700mt
  • Year 2002
    Material Rio Tinto 2004 AR, pp. 14-15.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 113932050.9g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 12800000g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 6100mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 260200mt
  • Year 2003
    Material Rio Tinto 2004 AR, pp. 14-15.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 110355150.58g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 9486561.7g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 4600mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 281800mt
  • Year 2004
    Material Rio Tinto 2004 AR, pp. 14-15.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 111474875.9g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 9579872.14g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 6800mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 263700mt
  • Year 2004
    Period 1906-2004
    Material Wikipedia accessed 8/15/2011.\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bingham_Canyon_Mine
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Silver Silver 5900mt
    Primary Gold Gold 715mt
    Primary Molybdenum Molybdenum 386000mt
    Primary Copper Copper 15400000mt
  • Year 2005
    Material Rio Tinto 2007 AR pp. 63-64.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 123107577.79g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 12472495.88g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 15600mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 220600mt
  • Year 2006
    Material Rio Tinto 2007 AR pp. 63-64.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 131100000g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 16270000g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 16800mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 265600mt
  • Year 2007
    Material Rio Tinto 2007 AR pp. 63-64.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 108457838.24g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 12348081.95g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 14900mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 212200mt
  • Year 2008
    Material Rio Tinto 2010 AR, pp. 82-82.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary AG Silver Silver 106187284.13g
    Primary AU Gold Gold 11446081g
    Primary MO Molybdenum Molybdenum 10600mt
    Primary CU Copper Copper 238000mt
  • Year 2009
    Material Rio Tinto 2010 AR, pp. 82-82.
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Silver Silver 151505055.95g
    Primary Gold Gold 18102225.94g
    Primary Molybdenum Molybdenum 11300mt
    Primary Copper Copper 303500mt
  • Year 2010
    Material Rio Tinto 2010 AR, pp. 82-82.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Silver Silver 116800000g
    Primary Gold Gold 14500000g
    Primary Molybdenum Molybdenum 12900mt
    Primary Copper Copper 249800mt

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Name Open pit
    Estimate year 2010
    Inferred 86000000mt ore
    Remarks Rio Tinto 2010 AR
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.14 wt-pct Copper Primary 2010
    Silver 1.09 g/mt Silver Primary 2010
    Gold 0.1 g/mt Gold Primary 2010
    Molybdenum 0.007 wt-pct Molybdenum Primary 2010
  • Type In-situ
    Name Deep moly target
    Estimate year 2010
    Demonstrated 550000000mt ore
    Remarks Orebody extending from current pit floor to around 1700m. \nRio Tinto undated Fact sheet titled "Molybdenum exploration target at the Bingham Canyon mine (Utah, USA)"\n
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum 0.125 wt-pct Molybdenum Primary 2010
  • Type In-situ
    Name Open pit and stockpiles
    Estimate year 2010
    Reserves 974000000mt ore
    Remarks Rio Tinto 2010 AR
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.44 wt-pct Copper Primary 2010
    Silver 1.99 g/mt Silver Primary 2010
    Gold 0.2 g/mt Gold Primary 2010
    Molybdenum 0.038 wt-pct Molybdenum Primary 2010
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1970
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.71 wt-pct Copper Major 1970

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 728.46HA
    Overall length 3218.6M
    Overall width 3701.39M

Comments on the workings information

  • 2 VEIN SYSTEMS: WEST (NNWEST STRIKE, STEEPS DIP) EAST SYSTEM (NARROWER VEINS, NORTH STRIKE, HIGHER ELEVATION EXPOS. WEST SYSTEM IS THE RICHER. POST MIOCENE SOME CURVED

Reference information

Bibliographic references

General comments

Subject category Comment text
General SEE BINGHAM CANYON (PLANT) DEPOSIT ID 10129805 FOR ADDITIONAL INFO

SEE Carr Fork DEPOSIT ID 10041786 and

North Ore Shoot Extention DEPOSIT ID 10276611 for related deposits
General Associated Deposits: Cu-Au skarns in surrounding carbonate beds (Carr Fork and North Ore Shoot deposits); polymetallic vein and replacement deposits (Ag-Pb-Zn; Lark and U.S. mines); distal sediment-hosted gold deposits (Barneys Canyon and Melco)
Deposit WEST SYSTEM - 6000-8000 FT. ELEV, STRIKE NNW, DIP E EAST SYSTEM:9000-10800 FEET ELEV, ALONG CREST OF RANGE ALSO NE-NW SYSTEM. AREA OF TER VOLCANICS ON ERODED, FOLDED PALEO SEDS, TILTED TO NORTH, AND CUT BY GRANITIC INTRUSIVES.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-JUN-81 Mohammad, Hasan Utah Geological and Mineral Survey
Updater 01-JUL-91 Peterson, Jocelyn A. U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

Operator history (post-MRDS)

MRDS records operators as of each record's last update (≤ 2019). Some of the operators listed here have since changed hands or dissolved:

  • Kennecott Copper Corp. — acquired by Subsidiary of Rio Tinto (1989)
    Acquired by RTZ (now Rio Tinto) in 1989. Continues to operate the Bingham Canyon mine and other assets under the Kennecott name.

Curated by qvyshift.com from publicly-reported M&A activity (SEC filings, press releases, USGS Mineral Yearbooks). Not authoritative — verify against primary sources before relying on it. The MSHA panel above is the current authoritative source for actively-permitted mines.

Maps centered on this site