Utah Senate Honors Kennecott Utah Copper on 100th Anniversary

The Utah State Senate on June 3 presented a formal citation honoring Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation on the company’s centennial, commending its century-long role in mining at Bingham Canyon and its economic, environmental and community contributions.

The citation, read on the Senate floor, credits Kennecott and predecessors with pioneering large-scale open-pit copper mining at Bingham Canyon, investing in reclamation and modernization of ore processing and smelting facilities, and contributing sizable tax revenues and philanthropic support across Utah. The citation also noted the company's donation of bronze, silver and gold for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games and applauded its investments in reclamation and community programs.

Louie Cananelis, identified on the floor as Kennecott’s director of government public affairs, thanked the Legislature "on behalf of the corporation and in particular, our employees and our retirees," saying the company appreciated the recognition. Several senators offered personal tributes: one recounted summer employment at the mine and the community ties produced by decades of mining; others praised the company's environmental mitigation and the role mining plays in creating local wealth and jobs.

The chamber then resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear officials from Kennecott; after the presentations senators dissolved the Committee of the Whole and returned to the regular session to conclude other business. Remarks noted a tentative labor agreement reached the prior night and emphasized Kennecott’s longstanding ties with Utah communities.