November 5, 2024
For nearly a century, tourists have been flocking to Bingham Canyon to view what would eventually become the largest open pit mine in the world. As of 2021, the Bingham Canyon mine was 1,200 m (3,937 ft/0.74 mile) deep and 4,000 m (13,123 ft/2.48 miles) wide (Statista 2023). Discussions about bringing tourists to Bingham Canyon occurred as early as 1918 when a group of Bingham residents and two guest speakers gathered at the Bingham Commercial Club to discuss the building of a concrete road that would connect with the existing paved road that led to Midvale. Guest speaker William F. Long, from Salt Lake City, discussed the need for permanent roads, especially considering the increased use of trucks to alleviate the freight burden of the railroads. Long ended his presentation with pictures of concrete roads projected by a stereopticon (magic lantern). Long was followed by William M. Wilson who discussed Bingham Canyon from the standpoint of tourism and explained that the construction of a new road would provide access to “thousands of automobilists who would be anxious to see the wonder of the greatest copper camp in the world.” The proposal was met with great enthusiasm by Bingham residents and a committee was appointed to bring the plan to fruition (Press Bulletin [PB] 24 May 1918:1).
Between 1928 and 2019, Kennecott built 10 different observation points or visitors’ centers in areas that provided spectacular views of the mine. As the mine expanded old observation points were dismantled and new ones built. The first was built in 1928 on the south side adjacent to the wooden railroad trestle of the E line, a short distance downhill from Copperfield. This first observation point consisted of a small, fenced parking lot and a small building where volunteers provided tourists with information and the Bingham Lions Club sold souvenirs. This point was closed in 1941 when the E Line bridge was destroyed (Strack 2022).
The second observation point was built in 1941 and located in Copperfield, near the upper portal of the Bingham to Copperfield tunnel that was completed in 1939. It was on the south side of the pit on the foundations of a razed house. Ironically, 100 yards from the observation point which overlooked the largest surface mine in the world was the Combination, reported to be the smallest café in the world. The Combination, owned by Joe Berger, had only one stool, restricting customers to one at a time. Berger could not say how many customers a day he served, and he mentioned that customers sometimes had to stand in line, but he stated, “we get the hungry ones fed.” The café received little tourist trade since the road that passed in front of the Combination was so narrow and drivers were so focused on maneuvering through the narrow passage that they seldom noticed the businesses that lined the street (Salt Lake Telegram [SLT] 30 July 1941:7).
Advertisement for Joe Berger’s Combination Café/Bar (Bingham Bulletin [BB] 7 June 1940:7).
In September of 1942, the Office of Defense Regulation banned sightseeing by automobile or bus to conserve fuel and tires for the war effort. This ban was in effect until August 1945. The Copperfield observation point closed on October 8, 1956, in anticipation of the evacuation of the town due to mine expansion. During its operation, over 1.5 million tourists visited the site (Strack 2019; Strack 2022).
Copperfield observation point (middle left) early 1940s. Building across the street (middle right) housed the Pan-Hellenic Grocer, Combination Bar, Mike’s Barber Shop, and Byrnes Apartments (top floor). Independent Grocery is at the lower right. Vacant lot between buildings was where the Bingham Mercantile once stood (Bray 2007; Richardson 2023).
The third observation point was built in 1957 on the northwest side of the pit near the new D line railroad bridge (located west of the old, dismantled D line bridge). The new observation point had a sloped floor which allowed tourists at the back of a packed observation platform to have an unobstructed view. The platform was 100 feet long and 18 feet wide. The viewpoint also had restrooms, a drinking fountain, and a paved parking lot. The observation deck was open seven days a week from daylight until dark. A guide explained mine operations and answered questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The hour from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. was the most popular time slot, for that was when pit blasting occurred (BB 28 June 1957:1; Strack 2018; Strack 2022). The observation point was later shut down in 1966 and a new one was built the same year at a new location (Strack 2022).
Kennecott advertises the new Mine Observation Point (Salt Tribune [SLTRIB] 18 May 1958:55).
The fourth viewpoint was on the north side of the pit, on the north foundation of the old, demolished D line railroad bridge at Carr Fork. The parking lot was on the west side of the viewpoint at a lower elevation and the tourists were required to climb a long uphill walkway to the viewing platform (Strack 2022). The observation point was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A tape-recorded message provided tourists with information about the mine. On June 19, 1967, a mudslide blocked the road and the pathway to the observation point. After clearing away the debris and repairing damage, the viewpoint was reopened on July 7, 1967. By this time, the viewpoint was attracting an estimated 200,000 visitors a year (Davis County Clipper [DCC] 7 July 1967:2). The fourth observation point was closed in 1981 with a new viewpoint expected to open in May of 1982. The closure was the result of Kennecott expanding operations immediately above the observation platform and using the public access road for the movement of equipment (Strack 2022; Tooele Bulletin [TB] 8 December 1981:5).
On May 1, 1982, the fifth observation point was built on the northeast side of the pit, a few hundred feet from where the last viewpoint was located. Access to the new observation point was to travel west from Copperton and up Bingham Canyon. The new observation point was free to the public and opened during daylight hours, seven days a week during good weather. The facility consisted of a large parking lot, covered viewing area, and restrooms. Mine information was conveyed to visitors via a recording (Daily Herald [DH] 25 April 1982:48). The viewpoint closed in October 1984 and shortly thereafter in 1985, Kennecott, Utah Copper Division, shut down mining operations (Strack 2022; SLTRIB 26 March 1985:1-2) due to low copper prices and the unions’ refusal to make concessions. The mine and observation point did not reopen until 1987. During the shutdown, Kennecott updated mine operations, including an in-pit crushing facility, improvements to the materials transportation system (ore conveyor belt and three pipelines), and new concentrating facilities (SLTRIB 26 March 1985:1-2; West Valley View [WVV] 21 May 1987:1,5).
In May 1987, Kennecott built its sixth observation point. The new Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine Visitors’ Center was officially opened by Utah Governor Norman Bangerter with the cutting of an 8-inch-wide copper ribbon. Also on hand for the opening were elected officials from all levels of government, members of Utah’s travel industry, and Kennecott administrators (WVV 21 May 1987:1,5).
The Utah governor and Kennecott officials at the Visitors’ Center opening. Left to right: J. Burgess Winter (Kennecott, Utah Copper Division General Manager), Governor Norman Bangerter, G. Frank Joklik (Kennecott President), and Judd Cool (Human Resources Senior Vice President) (SLTRIB 16 May 1987: 2B)
The new center had exhibits that explained Kennecott operations and its newly completed $400 million modernization project. Amenities included recordings that explained Kennecott mining operation in English, Spanish, Japanese, and German, telescopes, benches, a shaded viewing area, historic monuments, modern restrooms, and a souvenir shop operated by the Bingham Canyon Lions Club. The visitors’ center was open from 8 a.m. to dusk, seven days a week, from April to October. The new center was located on the north rim of the pit (SLTRIB 21 March 1988: B5; WVV 21 May 1987:1,5). In 1989, Kennecott began charging admission to the visitors’ center. Motorcycles were charged $1, passenger cars were charged $2, and tour buses were required to pay $20. Proceeds from the fees were donated to local nonprofit organizations (Magna Times [MT] 13 April 1989:7).
In 1992, a new visitors’ center (seventh) opened with a dedication ceremony that included Kennecott officials, local and state government officials, and business and community leaders. Chief among the guests were Utah Governor Norman Bangerter and Kennecott’s President Frank Joklik (MT 30 April 1992:1). The visitors’ center was on the northeast edge of the pit at the 6,690 level (MT 6 June 1996;12; Strack 2022)
Louie Cononelos (Kennecott official) shows excerpts from the Magna Times and other newspapers at the new visitors’ center (MT 30 April 1992:1).
Governor Bangerter (facing camera) and Kennecott President Joklik take in view of pit from the new visitors’ center (SLTRIB 28 April 1992: B1).
A visitor at the new center inspects photographs depicting the history of Kennecott (SLTRIB 28 April 1992: B1).
In 1993, Kennecott made improvements to the visitors’ center. Improvements included the addition of a museum that chronicled the history of the mine by exploring the mine’s geology, explaining mine operations, and examining the people who helped create Kennecott. In addition to the museum, a new 80-seat theater allowed tourists to view a 12-minute video that described Kennecott’s journey to becoming a National Historic Site (SLTRIB 11 April 1993: B7).
In 1995, Kennecott placed an advertisement in the Salt Lake Tribune thanking those who had visited the Bingham Canyon Visitors’ Center for their charitable contributions (whether they knew it or not) to local charities and nonprofit organizations. These contributions, of course, were the entrance fees paid by the tourists. In 1995, a record breaking 162,562 people (since the instigation of fees) visited the center, generating $95,000. By the end of 1995, $500,000 had been collected and distributed among 102 organizations (SLTRIB 24 December 1995: B2).
Advertisement announcing the new additions to the Bingham Canyon Visitors Center (SLTRIB 11 April 1993: B7).
Kennecott thanks tourists for their generosity in an advertisement (SLTRIB 24 December 1995: B2).
A new visitors’ center (the eighth) opened in 1996, 400 feet above the last one. The new center was approximately 1,600 feet larger than the old center and provided ample room for 12 new exhibits and an expanded theater. The new center was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week from April through October. Entrance fees were raised to $2 for motorcycles, $3 for passenger cars, and $30 for tour buses. Children in school buses entered for free. As previously established, revenue raised from entrance fees was deposited in the Visitors’ Center Charity Fund and distributed amongst the needy and various nonprofit organizations (MT 6 June 1996:12).
By 1998, the entrance to the visitors’ center was through the security gate south of Copperton where the town of Lark once stood. The season still ran from April through October and admission fees were the same, except for the addition of a $15 charge for mini tour buses. School buses, scout groups in uniform, and vans from senior citizen centers entered for free. As of 1997, the entry fees had generated $700,000 that had been distributed among nonprofits (MT 7 May 1998:7) and by the end of 1998 season, $750,000 had been raised (MT 5 November 1998:2).
On June 9, 1998, the visitors’ center received its one-millionth visitor, Jeanne Leigh-Goldstein. Leigh-Goldstein was visiting with her class from Altara Elementary School. At the time of her visit, she was awarded a hard hat and some other gifts, but the grand prize was awarded on June 15, 1998, when she, her husband Marvin, and their daughter Elyse, were given a mine tour, escorted by John Kinneberg (Kennecott Mine Operations Superintendent) and Louie Cononelos (Kennecott’s Director of Government and Public Affairs). The day was topped off by Jeanne and Marvin each being taken for separate rides in a 240-ton haul truck driven by Richard Wright. Poor Elyse had to look on from a nearby pickup (MT 16 July 1998:12).
In October 1998, the Bingham Canyon Mine Visitors’ Center was awarded the Excellence in Mining Education Award by the National Mining Association. New exhibits were planned for the 1999 season (MT 5 November 1998:2) and in 2000, a new exhibit was added to the center which told the story of the recovery of two WWII era planes that crashed in the Oquirrh Mountains behind the Garfield smelter in 1944 (MT 6 April 2000:5).
In December 2001, Kennecott announced that the visitors’ center would open for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games (held in Utah, February 6 through 26) with a new exhibit highlighting Kennecott’s donation of the metals (gold, silver, copper and zinc (bronze) used in the creation of the gold, silver and bronze medals that would be awarded to the competitors (MT 7 February 2002:8; SLTRIB 6 December 2001:D5).
In 2005, it was announced that the visitors center would once again be moved due to mine expansion. The new center (the ninth) was expected to have 1,200 additional feet of exhibit space which would allow for five new exhibits and displays (MT 10 November 2005:1). The new center, 300 feet lower than the previous center, opened on the weekend of July 4, 2006. Fees were still being collected and distributed to nonprofit organizations. Fees were raised to $5 for passenger cars, $25 for mini tour buses, and $50 for standard tour buses. Motorcycles were no longer allowed in the mine (MT 2 November 2006:2).
In 2013, Kennecott closed and relocated the visitors center in anticipation of an impending landslide. Previously, in November 2012, Kennecott had observed instability in a section of the mine and had set up equipment that would monitor ground movement in the area. On the morning of April 10, 2013, the ground moved 2 inches. By 11 a.m., that same morning, the mine was evacuated, and heavy equipment had been moved to the far side of the pit (not far enough as it turned out). Later that day at 9:30 p.m., the mountain came sliding down, destroying or damaging the mine infrastructure (including the visitors’ center) and equipment. The cost of the damage was in the hundreds of millions. Fortunately, nobody was hurt (Adams 2013; Krahulec 2016; Strack 2022).
Six years after the slide, in 2019, a new Kennecott visitors center (the tenth) (Cabrero 2018), now known as the Rio Tinto Kennecott Visitor Experience (Rio Tinto 2023), opened on the edge of the pit, with access from Lark. The new, open-air visitors’ center features equipment on which children can climb and the laser equipment that was used to monitor and predict the 2013 landslide (Cabrero 2018).
In 2023, Kennecott began shuttling visitors from the Lark security gate to the center, thus requiring visitors to purchase tickets to board the shuttles. Although tickets can be purchased at the Lions Club Gift Shop, it is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance to guarantee entry. Tickets are $6 and children under five are free (credit cards only). As in the past, proceeds from the entry fees are donated to the Kennecott Charitable Foundation and then distributed amongst various nonprofit organizations. Souvenirs can be purchased from the Bingham Canyon Lions Club gift shop located in the visitors parking lot. The Lions Club contributes a portion of their proceeds to the Foundation. The center is open from April through October, seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the off-season a virtual tour can be had by visiting https://www.youvisit.com/tour/riotinto (Rio Tinto 2023; Utah.com 2023).
View of pit from visitors’ center (Rio Tinto 2023).
Credits
Grant Fahrni, Logan Simpson
