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SOUTH JORDAN — Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Mine, a popular summer destination in Utah, won't be open for visitors in 2013 officials announced Monday.
The visitors center and overlook plaza were slated to reopen April 1, but will remain closed because mine personnel discovered slope movement during the facility's normal winter closure. Slope movement isn't unusual around mines, but this one has moved too close to the visitors center.
"Slope movement is an infrequent but expected occurrence in mining operations and is carefully monitored," Bingham Canyon Mine General Manager Matt Lengerich said in a statement. "We are proactively addressing any potential safety issues by not opening the Visitors Center this year."
We are proactively addressing any potential safety issues by not opening the Visitors Center this year.
–Matt Lengerich
The company said they are working on a plan that will still give visitors an educational experience when they visit.
The visitors center has been open since 1992 and has raised millions of dollars for its charitable foundation.
