What) The Bingham Canyon Mine is an open-pit mining operation extracting a large copper deposit in the Oquirrh Mountains. The mine has been in production since 1906 and has resulted in the creation of a pit over 0.75 mile (1.2 km) deep, 2.5 miles (4 km) wide, and covering 1,900 acres (7.7 km²). According to Kennecott, it is the world's largest man-made excavation.

    Over its life, Bingham Canyon has proven to be one of the world's most productive mines. As of 2004, ore from the mine has yielded more than 17 million tons of copper, 23 million ounces (715 t) of gold, 190 million ounces (5,900 t) of silver, and 850 million pounds of molybdenum. The gold and silver are impurities removed from the copper during refining. The value of the resources extracted from the Bingham Canyon Mine is greater than the Comstock Lode, Klondike, and California gold rush mining regions combined. High molybdenum prices in 2005 made the molybdenum produced at Bingham Canyon worth even more than the copper. In 2006, the total value of the metal extracted was US$1.8 billion.

    The Visitors Center is situated on the edge of the canyon and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Salt Lake County. In addition to spectacular views, visitors can enjoy exhibits, displays, interactive information kiosks and video presentations. The mine is open 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. (1)

    Where) 12800 South State Route 111   Open April through October from 8am until 7pm.  $5 for automobiles

    Why) The pictures I have seen on the internet are spectacular and I have wanted to go here for a while. Even though I knew we would be passing through in January, I assumed that I could still drive up to the visitor center and take a look even though it would be closed.

This view from space gives you some idea about the extent of the excavation and it shows you what I failed to consider. (2)

The snowy mountains. Pam doesn't like driving in the mountains at any time but after a fresh snowfall I could not convince her to ... (3)

... leave the interstate let alone get anywhere close to here. (4)

Still, I think these pictures are worth looking at regardless of whether or not you see the mine as a human achievement or a human flaw. (2)   

What 2) At 9:30 pm on April 10, 2013, a landslide occurred at the mine. It was the largest non-volcanic landslide in the history of North America. Around 65 - 70 million cubic meters of dirt and rock thundered down the side of the pit. Mining operations were shut down the previous day in anticipation of the slide. The massive slide is expected to cut production of mined copper by 100,000 tonnes. (1) (5)