Utah is a gold producing state, even though the precious metal is only a byproduct of a single copper mine in the state. Read in the article about the history of gold mining in Utah, about its only active gold producing mine and other facts and figures about gold mining in UT.
Contents
- Is there Gold in Utah?
- Where is Gold in Utah?
- What is the History of Gold Mining in Utah?
- How much gold has been mined in Utah?
- What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Utah?
- What Companies Mine Gold in Utah?
- Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Utah?
- Where Can I Pan for Gold in Utah?
- Is There Gold in Other US States?
Is there Gold in Utah?
Yes. Currently, Utah’s gold production comes from one mine, the Bingham Canyon Copper mine.
- Current gold output only as a byproduct from the Bingham Canyon Copper mine (also known as the Kennecott Copper Mine), owned by Rio Tinto. It is the deepest open-pit mine in the world. The last gold mine, Barnes Canyon, closed in 2002.
- Utah produced at this mine 4.34 tonnes of gold in 2021. This is around 2.3% of the US gold output of that year, which was 187 tonnes.
- The US Geological Survey lists more than 1,500 sites with gold deposits in Utah, most of them closed (for comparison: California has more than 20.000 gold sites).
- Significant historic gold mining districts are Bingham, Tintic, Camp Floyd and Park City, located south and east of Salt Lake City.
- There are several gold exploration projects in the state that might lead to mining operations.
Key Takeaways:
| Fact | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Remember | Gold output only from one mine, where the precious metal is only a byproduct |
| Gold Deposits | Yes |
| Discovery Year | Around 1858 |
| Discoverer | travelers on the way to California; names not known |
| Mining Industry | Still active |
| Major Gold Locations | Western Part of Utah, mountain ranges flanking the great basin, south and east of Salt Lake City |
| Major Active Gold Mines | One mining operation left: the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine |
| Mining Companies | Rio Tinto Kennecott Corp. |
| Panning Locations | Little Cottonwood Creek, Big Cottonwood Creek, Crescent Creek, and the Raft River |
The following map of Utah shows the location of the first gold discovery and the location of the only gold-producing mine left in the state.
Sources: Park City History, USGS, Utah Geological Survey
Where is Gold in Utah?
Gold can be found in several locations throughout Utah. Historically, gold mining in Utah has been associated with other metal mining, particularly silver, lead, copper, and zinc.
See the map of the gold mining districts of Utah (from 1965):
- Bingham Canyon Mine: Near Salt Lake City, this is the largest and most significant mine in Utah, known primarily for copper but also produces a substantial amount of gold.
- Placer Deposits: Gold placers, which are concentrations of gold in sand or gravel, can be found in various locations in Utah. These include:
-
- Abajo Mountains: Particularly along Johnson and Recapture Creeks.
- Oquirrh Mountains, Bingham Canyon: Known for fine gold in the creeks.
- Colorado River: Fine gold, but requires careful recovery due to its small size.
- Green River: Below Flaming Gorge Reservoir, with some historically productive sites.
- Henry Mountains: Crescent Creek and Straight Creek are known locations.
- San Juan River: Has fine placer deposits, though they were challenging to recover in significant quantities.
- Dry Fork Creek: Located near Vernal in Uintah County, known for its gold flakes in placer deposits.
Sources: goldrushnuggets, USGS, Utah Geological Survey
What is the History of Gold Mining in Utah?
In 1847, Mormon pioneers first entered Utah Territory and settled in the Salt Lake Valley. Their leader, Brigham Young, initially denounced mining and prospecting for gold and other precious metals, urging his people to engage in more “productive” pursuits such as agriculture, business, and establishing new satellite communities.
Who discovered gold in Utah?
Although folklore suggests Thomas Rhoades, a Mormon pioneer, discovered gold in Utah during the late 1840s, there’s no concrete evidence to support this claim.
Check out the documentary about the search for the lost Rhoades mine:
More reliable sources put the first gold discovery at the year 1858. Here, travelers discovered gold on the way to California close to the border with Colorado at a place nowadays called Gold Hill.
Was there a gold rush in Utah?
Unlike the famed rushes in California or Colorado, Utah’s gold rush was a more subdued affair, primarily taking place in the 1860s. The end of the Civil War brought an influx of prospectors to Utah, drawn by reports of gold in the Uinta Mountains and Little Cottonwood Canyon. One notable area was Big Cottonwood Canyon, where small-scale operations extracted significant quantities of gold. Despite the lesser intensity, these rushes were pivotal in populating the region and contributing to Utah’s early economic growth. Towns such as Park City, founded in 1868, emerged as key centers in this early mining era.
Industrial mining
General Patrick E. Connor’s establishment of Utah’s first mining district in 1863 marked a shift towards more active mining, partly to challenge Mormon dominance. The discovery of gold in Bqingham Canyon in the early 1860s spurred significant mining activities, contributing to Utah’s economic growth.
The adoption of cyanide leaching in Mercur in 1890 revolutionized gold extraction, making previously unprofitable deposits viable.
Late 19th and early 20th centuries saw an expansion of gold mining across Utah, diversifying the state’s mining industry.
Source: USGS
How much gold has been mined in Utah?
Total gold production in Utah was 17,765,288 ounces until 1965.
Source: USGS
What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Utah?
With the closure of the Barnes Canyon Gold Mine at the beginning of 2002, Utah lost its last gold mine. (Still, gold was discovered from its heap leaching pads for several years.) Since then, the only active gold extraction comes from the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine where gold is only a byproduct.
The next graph shows the gold production in Utah between 2017 and 2021. 2017 marked a record year within this time frame. Gold production reached nearly 25 tonnes; mainly from the Bingham and Barnes Mines. The next year, production followed a downward trajectory. 2004 marked a year of production as low as 10 tonnes. Over the next years, gold output increased again, with a maximum of 18 tonnes in 2009. Thereafter, nearly each year recorded lower levels. In 2021, production stood at only 4,34 tonnes.
For a chart of the annual gold output in Utah from 2017 till 2021, see chart below:
What is the major gold mine in Utah?
The US Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook lists in its most recent overview of 44 leading gold operations in the US only one gold producing operation in the state of Utah: the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine (owned by Rio Tinto Kennecott Corp.).
The US state leading the ranking is Nevada with 27 operations, followed by Alaska with four operations.
List of the gold operations in Utah:
| US Rank | Operation | County and State | Majority Owner (2024) | Qty 2020 |
Qty 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Bingham Canyon | Salt Lake, UT | Rio Tinto Kennecott Corp. | 5.320 | 4.340 |
Explanation:
Rank: a comparison of the output of US mines. Therefore, Bingham Canyon, as the only gold producing Utah mine, is ranked number 15 of all US gold mines – even though gold is only a byproduct. Eight of the ten biggest mines are in Nevada and one in Alaska and one in Colorado.
Quantity: in kilogram; there are approx. 32 fine ounces in one kilogram
Facts about the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine
- Also known as Kennecott Copper Mine
- Open pit mine, since 2023 also underground mining
- Located southwest of Salt Lake city, in the Oquirrh mountains
- Primary product: copper, also: gold, silver, and molybdenum
- It has produced more copper than any other mine in the world
- Owned by Rio Tinto plc
- Deepest open pit in the world, visible from space, 4km wide, 1,2 km deep
- In operation since 1903
- More than 2,000 employees
- Mine life till 2032
- Prefeasibility study to extend mining beyond 2032
Video about the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine:
Source: company website
What Companies Mine Gold in Utah?
Rio Tinto is the owner of the only gold-producing mine in Utah.
Some facts about the company:
- The British-Australian Rio Tinto Group is the world’s second largest mining company by market cap (BHP is number one).
- Registered in 1873 in London after the purchase of the Rio Tinto mines in Spain, which were mined already by the Romans
- Operations in 35 countries on all continents; in the US in California and Utah
- 54,000 employees
- Main mining products: iron ore, copper, aluminium, lithium
Check out a video about Rio Tinto:
Sources: company website
Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Utah?
There are several gold exploration projects in Utah. A selection:
Tintic Project
- Owned by Osiko Development
- 95km south of Salt Lake City, in the historic Tintic mining district
- Exploration phase for an underground mine
- exploration drilling in 2022, first results in 2023
Check out the video about the Tintic Project:
Goldstrike Project
- Goldstrike was an open pit mine till 1994
- Carlin-style gold property
- Located in Washington County, 50km southwest of St. George
- Owned by Liberty Gold since 2014
- Drilling program in 2016, resource estimate in 2018
- Pre-feasability study in 2014
Gold Springs Project
- Owned by Gold Springs Resource Corp.
- Advanced exploration stage
- Potential development into open pit heap leach operation
- Exploration began in 2010
Sources: Gold Springs Resource, Liberty Gold, Osiko Development
Is it Legal to Mine Gold in Utah?
In Utah, it is legal to mine gold, but the requirements vary depending on the type of activity.
Rules and Regulations: The state of Utah regulates non-coal mining operations, including gold mining, under Utah Administrative Code R647. This includes ensuring that mining operations follow their plans for mining and reclamation, protecting public safety and the environment, and verifying that mine operators are mining within permit boundaries
Recreational Gold Panning: For recreational gold panning, individuals are generally allowed to pan on public lands without a permit. However, it’s important to check with local authorities or land management agencies for any specific restrictions or closures.
Commercial Mining Activities: For commercial mining activities, including gold panning, a mineral lease or claim is required by the state. This is to ensure that the activities are carried out responsibly and with minimal impact on the environment.
Public vs. Private Land: Gold panning on public land typically requires a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service. On private land, permission from the landowner is necessary before engaging in any gold panning activities
Environmental Considerations: Federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act, apply when conducting gold panning activities near water bodies. These regulations are designed to protect water quality and wildlife habitat.
Additionally, a permit from the Utah Division of Water Rights is needed for recreational dredging on any stream.
Sources: Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, Utah
Where Can I Pan for Gold in Utah?
Check out the video about gold prospecting in Utah:
In Utah, there are several locations where you can pan for gold:
- Colorado River: This river runs through Moab, Utah, and is known for small gold findings. The gold here is mostly fine placer, so capturing it requires a steady hand and the right techniques, such as sluicing
- Green River: Historically, the Green River has yielded small amounts of gold, particularly around Flaming Gorge Reservoir. While the gold found here wasn’t abundant, it’s still a spot for recreational panning
- San Juan River: This river has fine placer deposits. Though the gold is challenging to recover in significant quantities, it’s a location with historical gold discoveries
- Raft River: A tributary of the Snake River, the Raft River has had its share of gold and was particularly popular in the late 19th century. While no longer viable for commercial mining, it remains a spot for recreational panning
- Other Rivers and Creeks: In addition to the larger rivers, many smaller creeks and rivers throughout Utah may have gold deposits. These include Johnson Creek and Recapture Creek in the Abajo Mountains, as well as various creeks draining the Henry Mountains
Sources: howtofindrocks, silver recyclers
Is There Gold in Other US States?
Check out gold production in neighboring states of Utah: Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC), there are 11 states that mine gold and contribute towards the gold mining statistic: Nevada is responsible for the majority of gold output, around 72%, followed by Alaska (13%). 9 other contribute in sum to the remaining 15% of gold production: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.