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By Deborah Carl
Despite Brigham Young's Desires, Mining Became Big Business for Mormons
OGDEN, UTAH -- While Brigham Young did not want the Saints mining gold,
mining became gold in Utah. He told the Saints, "We cannot eat gold and
silver, neither do we want to bring into our peaceful settlements a rough,
frontier population . . ." While Brigham Young frowned on the pursuit of
precious metals, he established coal and iron mines to help the Saints be
independent and self-sufficient.
However, it wasn't until the railroad arrived that mining became lucrative
going from $190,000 per year to $1.5 million. Over time, Bingham Canyon
became home to the largest copper mine in the world. Each year the mine
produces 320,000 tons of copper. Already 16 million tons have been removed.
The mine also produces 4 million ounces of silver, 500,000 ounces of gold, a
million tons of sulfuric acid, and 20 million pounds of molybdenum (used to
harden steel).
In the 1980's mines in Utah employed 20,000, but automation has reduced that
number to about 7,800. Utah mining produced about $1.9 billion dollars last
year.
Source:
Mining history in Utah played big role in growth
Ogden UT Standard-Examiner 4Feb01 B6
By Gary Hinds: Standard-Examiner Staff
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