Utah jumps two spots in chemical releases, EPA says. Here’s why.

In 2023, more than 90% of the toxic chemicals released in Utah came from the Bingham Canyon Mine.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Bingham Copper Mine on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

By

https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/sltrib/825f0e7f-9f97-4eef-823a-4d886e706601.jpg

Megan Banta

| July 6, 2025, 6:00 a.m.

| Updated: July 7, 2025, 4:11 p.m.

MOST VIEWED

1

LDS Church program seeks to help missionaries with one of their toughest tasks: returning home

2

Police drones buzzing across SLC feed a new high-tech crime center. The picture threatens to ‘flip’ civil liberties, a key group says.

3

With ‘major events’ looming, LDS Church partners with Department of Homeland Security on safety

4

Gordon Monson: Nine things that should be said at LDS General Conference — but likely won’t be

5

Tribune editorial: Utahns should not undermine their own political power. Vote down Amendment B.

Sponsored Story

Salt Lake Acting Company’s 2026/2027 season: 55 years of keeping Salt Lake interesting

Sponsored: Engaging and enriching community through brave, contemporary theatre through World and Utah Premiere productions

Megan BantaData enterprise reporter

Megan is a data and policy nerd with a passion for holding officials accountable and finding solutions. She’s originally from the Midwest and comes to Salt Lake City from the Willamette Valley.

Utah jumps two spots in chemical releases, EPA says. Here’s why.

In 2023, more than 90% of the toxic chemicals released in Utah came from the Bingham Canyon Mine.

RELATED STORIES

Utah has the fourth most toxic chemical releases of any state. The majority come from one source.

The mining never stops, but Kennecott’s massive open pit grows — slowly

Protesters rally against Velvet-Wood uranium mine: ‘Don’t fast-track Utah into a wasteland’

Utah has the last conventional uranium mill in the country. What does it do?