This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Kennecott Utah Copper said its Bingham Canyon Mine visitors center is open for the 2012 season.
Situated on the edge of the three-quarter mile deep mine on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, the visitors center is one of the area's most popular tourist attractions.
It features great views of one of the world's largest open-pit mines and contains artifacts and interactive presentations about Kennecott's modern-day operations.
Since opening in 1992, the center has hosted more than 3 million visitors. The fees collected, along with donations from Kennecott employees and the Bingham Canyon Lion's Club Gift Shop, are donated to local charities through the Kennecott Utah Copper Visitors Center Charitable Foundation.
The visitors center is open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — the entrance gate closes at 7 p.m. — through Oct. 31, weather permitting. The 2012 tax-deductible admission fees are $5 for passenger vehicles/mini vans; $25 for mini-tour buses; and $50 for tour buses. There is no charge for school buses, veterans' group tours, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform and vans from county-operated senior citizen centers.
Those arriving with school groups will need to fill out a form in advance and bring it to the entrance gate. The form is at http://www.kennecott.com. Weather or temporary closure information can also be found at the website.