Salt Lake City: Livability in the 21st Century

But Jackling took some influential financiers to Bingham
Canyon in June 1903 to convince them that his theory
would work and that profits could be made by mining lowgrade
ores containing thirty-nine pounds of copper per ton.
Jackling’s determined conviction was good enough for
the backers. They invested $500,000 to get him started,
giving birth to the Utah Copper Company on June 4, 1903.
That was the beginning of what would become one of the
greatest mining enterprises in the world.
In its first year of operation, the company showed a profit
of $142,000. Some previously skeptical investors now
wanted to come on board, and they invested an additional
$5 million into the business.
Of about forty companies that were mining underground
for lead, silver, zinc and gold in the Bingham District, only a
few were interested in mining copper from the surface.
People throughout the world—mostly immigrants from
Europe, Asia and Mexico—came to seek work. More than
forty distinct ethnic groups lived in camps and towns
throughout the mining district. These groups and their work
helped drive the business into the future.
Today, the operation is still thriving. What continues
to drive Kennecott is its commitment to sustainable development.
This commitment within the community is an
important part of how it does business and encompasses
economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social
well-being.
Supporting and enhancing a sustainable economy in the
Salt Lake Valley is important to Kennecott as a valuable
member of the community. Its objective is to understand
and maximize the benefits it brings to the economy at local,
regional and national levels by being a leader in production,
exports and revenue.
Throughout the history of the Bingham Canyon Mine,
no other single private-sector operation has generated more
production, exports, income and employment for as many
years in the state, according to the Bureau of Economic and
Business Research at the University of Utah.
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Above: The Bingham Canyon Mine, situated in the Oquirrh Mountains,
has been producing mineral resources that make modern life possible for
more than 111 years.
Left: Kennecott produces 99.9 percent pure copper cathodes that are used to
make modern life possible. Cell phones, computers, cars and plumbing are a
few of the many benefits enjoyed because of this important element.
B U I L D I N G A G R E A T E R S A L T L A K E C I T Y
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