Destinations / The best touristic attractions in Utah, USA / The Bingham Canyon Mine
The Bingham Canyon Mine
One of the most interesting places in Utah which will captivate you with its size and spectaculars views is The Bingham Canyon Mine. This mine is also called Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Mine. This is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world and is located 28 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. Bingham Canyon is also the biggest hole on earth. As the largest of all man-made excavations, Bingham Canyon is more than a half-mile deep and has over 4 kilometers wide. The mine exploits a porphyry copper deposit. The work began in Bingham Canyon in the late nineteenth century, when shafts were sunk to remove gold, silver, and lead deposits that played out by the early 1900’s. This mine, which is on the National Register of Historic Sites, is just one of the two man-made objects on earth that can be seen by astronauts from outer space. The other is the Great Wall of China.
This area houses a visitor centre called “The Bingham Canyon Mine Visitors Center”, where curious people come to see the huge marvelous mine and also to know its interesting history. The Bingham Canyon Mine Visitors Center is situated on the edge of the three-quarter-mile deep Bingham Canyon Mine and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Salt Lake County. The Centre is standing about 6700 feet above sea level and gives you the perfect view of the surroundings of the largest man-made excavation on earth. From a special point of this center you can really see, hear and feel the breathtaking and awesome magnitude of this unbelievable formation. Also people can see from afar the extraction process, and also they can watch how 255-to-360-ton capacity haulage trucks deliver copper ore to the in-pit crusher, where the material is reduced to the size of a soccer balls before being loaded onto a five-mile conveyor that carries the ore to the Copperton Concentrator.
Besides the spectacular views, visitors can enjoy the really old exhibits, interactive displays and exhibits – including 3-D microscopes to examine rock and mineral samples, interactive information kiosks and video presentations. The Visitors Center features everything from historic mining artifacts to presentations about how Kennecott’s modern-day operation produces metals and minerals essential to everyday life. Kennecott mine is also devoted to educate the people about safe mining practices, sustainable development practices and the importance mining plays in modern life. Visitors can also enjoy a 19-minute film detailing the mine’s history and the process used to produce copper. This is a “once in a lifetime” educational and entertaining experience and is a must-visit place for both, young people and grown-ups. An hour or two at Bingham Canyon will leave visitors with a good idea of the effort behind American copper mining. The huge open pit illustrates just what lengths some people will go to for a little chalcopyrite.
Others from The best touristic attractions in Utah, USA
Is one of the most beautiful states and have a lot of picturesque places.
You can visit five national parks in Utah, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas, six national forests, and numerous state parks and monuments that pleasure visitor’s eyes.
The cities are quite large and with modern buildings.
In the cities there are also a great number of important museums and public squares.
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