Mining and the Environment
Responsible Mining
is essential for the future
Preserving Utah’s Beauty
Utah is a unique state with diverse geological features. Known for its impressive mountains, beautiful canyons, and unique arches, hoodoos, and other natural wonders, Utah’s landscape is unrivaled. Utah’s rocks and minerals are not only a source of beauty, but they can also provide essential minerals and metals for modern life. Utah’s mining industry is committed to responsibly sourcing these minerals, while protecting Utah’s natural beauty, water, and wildlife. It is essential to acknowledge the benefits of mining, but it is equally crucial to ensure responsible environmental practices within the industry. These two concepts are not mutually exclusive.
Environmental Regulations
Utah’s mining operations are regulated through a comprehensive suite of state and federal environmental laws and regulations, designed to protect the environment. Utah’s mining companies strive to not only meet but exceed community expectations by taking voluntary actions above and beyond regulatory requirements to mitigate their environmental impact. These efforts may include reclamation plans, recycling water, limiting emissions, using electric vehicles, safely disposing waste materials, protecting local plants and wildlife, and more.
The Simplot Vernal Mine is an example of successful reclamation efforts in Utah. At their Vernal, UT operations, surface overburden must be removed to access the phosphate ore. After the ore has been extracted, Simplot replaces the overburden and plants native flora to restore the land to its natural state. Over the years, the local deer population and other wildlife have come to prefer the reclaimed areas. You can often see deer grazing in the distance, while visiting the mine.
Mining as Part of the Solution
Mining provides the minerals necessary to sustain and support modern living. Electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines, nuclear power, and other “green technologies” require more minerals to meet the current demand (see Figure below). Mining plays an essential role in developing and implementing these new technologies. Fortunately, Utah has known resources of 40 of the 50 U.S. government’s listed “critical minerals” and could play a vital role in building a more sustainable future.
Minerals used in clean energy technologies compared to other power generation sources
Mine Reclamation
For over 100 years, the Utah Mining Association has had the honor of representing an industry that is essential to everyone’s lifestyle and standard of living. As the beginning of the supply chain for everything we use and everything we do as a society, the mining industry has a great story to tell, and our association exists to tell that story.
Current Mining Operations
The Utah Minerals Reclamation Program enforces the Utah Mined Land Reclamation Act enacted by the Utah Legislature in 1975 (Utah Code Title 40, Chapter 8). The purpose of the Act is to ensure all mining operations in the state include plans for reclamation of the lands affected. All large mining operations within the state are required to have an approved notice of intention with the Minerals Program prior to beginning operations.
Abandoned Mines
In 1975, the Utah Mined Reclamation Act was passed making it illegal for mines to be abandoned. Today there are an estimated 17,000 mine openings scattered across Utah.
The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (AMRP) works to protect the public from dangers of old mines by sealing off access to openings and cleaning up waste.
Our Mission
We represent and inform YOU our members.
Join Us Today
Be actively involved in protecting an industry that is the
foundation for our way of life.
Utah Mining Association
136 South Main Street, Suite A403
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Phone: 801-364-1874
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Your support is essential to the long-term success of the mining industry and our way of life.