Reclamation
Prior to Kennecott’s arrival in 1936, predecessors mined and smelted in the Oquirrh Mountains leaving wastes generated in the area. Most of these companies that produced the wastes have long been out of business. Kennecott owns almost all of the historic mine properties along the Oquirrh Mountain Range where these wastes were deposited. Kennecott is committed to operating in a sustainable manner that result in successful mining operations while protecting and cleaning up the environment. Notably, Kennecott’s cleanups to date have exceeded legal requirements and fulfilled community expectations.
Cleanup work, like mining, has been a consistent activity for Kennecott since the early 1990s. To date, the company has spent more than $100 million to clean up historic mining wastes and install source control measures.
The cleanup efforts resulted in approximately 26 million tons (16.25 million cubic yards) of mining wastes being isolated, excavated, relocated, disposed of and/or permanently stabilized in place. Approximately 10 million tons (6.25 million cubic yards) of clean materials have been excavated to support the cleanup work. Additionally, more than 3,340 acres of land have been restored, reclaimed or revegetated, including approximately 1,000 acres of new wildlife habitat or open space. Over 120,000 trees, as well as several thousand acres of shrubs, forbs and grasses have been planted.
Approximately five million square feet of synthetic liner has been installed on about 100 acres to contain contaminated water and wastes in repositories approved by EPA and the State of Utah. Over 10 thousand cubic yards (27 thousand tons) of concrete was utilized to create Eastside cutoff walls and reservoir spillways, while more than 580 groundwater monitoring wells have been installed over the South and North ends of the property.
This work was performed in complete coordination with the EPA and (UDEQ), as well as with review by other interested parties.
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