Rio Tinto’s Kennecott copper mine near Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah, was today impacted as a result of a 5.7-magnitude earthquake close to the town of Magna.
According to the company, all employees have been safely accounted for and evacuated from the potential risk areas.
Rio Tinto has identified limited damage to the operation or risk to the surrounding community. As a precaution, all operations have been temporarily halted, Rio said, in line with standard procedures pre-agreed with the Utah Department of Transportation,
A detailed inspection of the complex is currently being conducted, in conjunction with the local emergency services and Utah Department of Transportation.
As a precaution, all operations have been temporarily halted
“The safety of our employees and wider community is our first priority and having ensured that all our employees are safe and the operations are shut,” Rio’s copper & diamonds chief executive Arnaud Soirat said in the statement.
“We are now working with the local emergency services and regulators to ensure the asset is safe before resuming any operations.”