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Bingham Canyon Mine slide bigger than anticipated

Posted at 5:01 PM, Apr 12, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-12 20:48:56-04

BINGHAM CANYON MINE, Utah - Kennecott Utah Copper is trying to get back to business as usual after a massive landslide at the Bingham Canyon Mine on Wednesday night.

Thanks to technology, Kennecott predicted the slide and no one was injured, but officials say it was bigger than they'd first anticipated.

The Bingham Canyon Mine is the world's largest man-made pit, measuring 2-and-a-half miles across and more than half a mile deep. Federal mine experts are still working with Kennecott officials to determine exactly how large the slide was.

See photos of the Bingham Canyon Mine after the slide(and more photos)

Raw aerial video of the Bingham Canyon Mine after the slide

The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce released a statement on Friday, commending Kennecott on their handling of the slide.

"The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah's largest and longest-serving business association, applauds Rio Tinto and Kennecott Utah Copper for their dedication to safety. By all accounts, the damage from yesterday's landslide at the Bingham Canyon Mine was greatly minimized by their commitment to protect their employees, contractors and the public," the statement read, in part.

Kennecott hasn't determined what impact the slide will have on operation or when they will resume operation. A hotline has been set up for mine employees to receive updates, and they receive direct communication from their supervisors.

Related stories:
Kennecott prepares for slide at Bingham Canyon Mine
Slide forces evacuation at Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon Mine
New details in copper mine slide released