Kennecott Utah Copper LLC

What Kennecott Utah Copper LLC does

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group that operates one of the largest integrated copper mining complexes in the world from its base in South Jordan, Utah. Its core asset, the Bingham Canyon Mine, is a world-class open-pit operation supplemented by underground mining at the Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS) and North Rim Skarn (NRS) deposits, supported by on-site concentrator, smelter, and refinery assets—one of only two operating copper smelters in the United States. The company produces approximately 133.6 Kt of refined copper annually (roughly 1% of global and up to 20% of U.S. supply) along with byproduct gold (~610,000 oz in 2023), silver, molybdenum, and tellurium, the latter making Kennecott one of only two U.S. producers of a mineral critical to photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing.

Revenue is generated primarily through B2B sales of refined metals to U.S. industrial manufacturers, defense and energy sector buyers, and global commodity markets priced against the London Metal Exchange, with a dedicated tellurium supply chain feeding First Solar's domestic photovoltaic manufacturing. The company employs approximately 2,104 people as of 2025 and contributes over $1.2 billion in economic impact to Utah communities annually. Operationally, Kennecott has invested heavily in decarbonization (30 MW of on-site solar, a 15-year wind VPPA, 65% carbon footprint reduction since 2019) and holds the Copper Mark, Molybdenum Mark, and LBMA Responsible Gold/Silver certifications, positioning it as a preferred domestic critical-mineral supplier for the energy transition and national security supply chains. The operation is currently expanding underground capacity (combined ~280,000 tonnes of additional copper over the next decade) and executing a $1.5 billion South Wall Pushback to extend open-pit life to 2032.

Name

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC

Legal name

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC

Website

http://www.kennecott.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC is a wholly-owned Rio Tinto subsidiary operating the Bingham Canyon open-pit copper mine and integrated smelter/refinery in Utah—one of only two U.S. copper smelters—producing copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, and tellurium for U.S. industrial, defense, and renewable energy manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Copper Mining and Refining

NAICS

Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining (212230), Other Metal Ore Mining (21229)

SIC

Metal Mining (1000), Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330)

akta.pro primary industry

Copper Ore Mining (Open-Pit & Underground) (IMAKADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Copper Exploration & Resource Development (IMAKADAA), Copper Concentration (Crushing, Grinding, Flotation) (IMAKADAC), Copper Anode/Cathode Production & Handling (IMAKADAG), Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Copper mining
• Mineral refining
• Precious metals production
• Critical minerals supply
• Integrated mining operations

Headquarters

HQ city

South Jordan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Copper Production and Sales: Primary revenue stream from mining and refining copper concentrate and refined copper cathode. Kennecott operates one of only 2 copper smelters in the US and produces approximately 133.6 Kt of refined copper annually. Produces approximately 1% of the world's copper output and supplies up to 20% of U.S. copper needs.
2. Byproduct Metals (Gold, Silver, Molybdenum, Tellurium): Revenue from byproduct metals including gold (610,000 ounces in 2023), silver, molybdenum (Molybdenum Mark certified), and tellurium (one of only 2 U.S. producers). Tellurium is a critical mineral for solar panels sold to First Solar.
3. Critical Minerals Supply: Strategic revenue from supplying critical minerals (copper, tellurium, molybdenum) to U.S. energy, defense, and EV supply chains, positioning Kennecott as strategically important for domestic supply security.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC operates an integrated copper mining complex centered on the Bingham Canyon Mine, one of the world's largest open-pit copper mining operations, along with underground mining (Lower Commercial Skarn and North Rim Skarn), a concentrator, smelter, and refinery. The operation produces refined copper cathode as its primary output, along with byproduct metals including gold, silver, molybdenum, and tellurium for industrial customers. Supporting infrastructure includes on-site solar power generation, water recycling systems, and land reclamation services.

Product overview

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC operates an integrated copper mining complex consisting of the Bingham Canyon Mine (one of the world's largest open-pit copper operations), underground mining operations (Lower Commercial Skarn and North Rim Skarn), a concentrator, smelter, and refinery. The operation produces copper as its primary product along with byproducts including gold (~610,000 ounces annually), silver, molybdenum, and tellurium. The smelter and refinery are among only two operating copper processing facilities in the United States. Supporting infrastructure includes a 30MW solar power generation capacity and advanced water recycling systems that recycle over 60% of process water. The company also provides land reclamation services, having restored over 3,000 acres of former mining land. Kennecott is 100% owned by Rio Tinto Group and has operated since 1903, currently producing approximately 133.6 kt of refined copper annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Copper Primary copper product from the Bingham Canyon Mine, one of the world's largest open-pit copper mining operations. Kennecott operates one of only two copper smelters in the United States, producing refined copper for various industrial applications including electronics, infrastructure, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
• Gold Gold produced as a valuable byproduct of copper mining at Bingham Canyon Mine. The mine produced approximately 610,000 ounces of gold in 2023, the highest output in recent years.
• Silver Silver extracted as a byproduct during copper mining and processing operations at Kennecott, holding LBMA Responsible Silver Certificate for responsible sourcing.
• Molybdenum Molybdenum produced as a copper mining byproduct, certified with the Molybdenum Mark for responsible production. Vital material in clean energy technologies and sustainable construction practices.
• Tellurium Critical mineral extracted as a byproduct during copper refining, used in photovoltaic solar panels. Kennecott is one of only two US producers of tellurium, strategically important for domestic renewable energy manufacturing.
• Bingham Canyon Mine The Bingham Canyon Mine is one of the world's largest open-pit copper mining operations, located in the Oquirrh Mountains west of Salt Lake City, Utah. The mine encompasses surface and underground operations, a concentrator, smelter, and refinery.
• Kennecott Smelter and Refinery Integrated smelting and refining facilities that process ore from Bingham Canyon Mine into 99.99% copper. One of only two operating copper smelters in the United States, producing refined copper for domestic and international markets.
• Underground Mining Operations Underground mining expansion including Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS) and North Rim Skarn (NRS) areas, delivering additional high-quality mined copper alongside open-cut operations. LCS delivers 30,000 tonnes of copper; NRS expected to deliver 250,000 tonnes over 10 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30MW solar capacity reduces Scope 2 emissions by 6% (20,000 tonnes CO2e annually)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• TerraGenmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2025Signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with TerraGen for renewable energy. Rio Tinto will purchase 78.5 MW of renewable energy generated by TerraGen's 238.5 MW Monte Cristo I Windpower facility in Texas. This wind power deal progresses Kennecott's decarbonization objectives.
• 5N PluscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegrated North American supply chain partner processing tellurium from Kennecott's copper refining operations. 5N Plus processes the tellurium byproduct for use in solar panel manufacturing.
• First SolarcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufactures photovoltaic solar panels using tellurium produced at Kennecott as a byproduct of copper mining and refining. Demonstrates circular critical minerals supply chain where Kennecott's waste becomes First Solar's input.
• Museum of UtahmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2023, announced a $10 million donation for the Museum of Utah being built on Utah State Capitol grounds. Museum slated to open June 2026 under Utah Historical Society umbrella. Supports community education and cultural preservation.
• Natural History Museum of UtahmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 40-year partnership supporting the Museum's mission to illuminate the natural world. Community education on minerals that Kennecott's business relies on. Over 27,000 students experienced Museum on the Move through this partnership.
• Utah State University - Janet Quinney Lawson InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2024, announced 3-year, $450,000 partnership supporting high-impact projects strengthening Utah's environment. Includes faculty Impact Grant program, Report to Governor and Legislature on Utah's Land, Water, and Air, and collaborative researcher working groups.
• Utah MammothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn 2024, entered multi-year partnership as the Utah Mammoth's Official Copper Partner. Supports fan experiences and community connection through in-arena activations, collaborative storytelling, and educational programming celebrating Utah's copper production heritage.
• Real Salt LakeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership since 2008, reaching almost 20,000 local fans each game. Focuses on high-impact marketing, in-stadium promotions with six annual employee spotlights in front of 20,000+ fans, and yearly youth soccer clinic supporting community outreach.
• Salt Lake BeesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2025, partnership to deepen connection to Daybreak community through in-game experiences, family-friendly events, and educational engagements. Founding partner at Daybreak Field supporting fan activities, local programming, and community events.
• Loveland Living Planet AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focusing on environmental issues and classroom teaching about natural ecosystem importance. Over 10,000 students visited the Aquarium for free through Kennecott's sponsorship.
• Salt Lake County Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2023, partnered with Salt Lake County and Bureau of Land Management to open Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park. Provides more than 13 miles of multi-use trail reclaimed from historic mining land.
• Utah Navajo Health ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to launch mobile health unit bringing vital care including cancer screenings, vaccinations, and health education to hundreds of patients in remote areas. Approximately 80% of patients are Native American.
• International Copper AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKennecott was instrumental in developing the Copper Mark assurance program with input from stakeholders including customers, NGOs, and producers.
• MogotesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned an agreement with Kennecott for a site in Montana. Details of the partnership arrangement were not fully specified in available sources.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Freeport-McMoRan: Freeport-McMoRan is the largest U.S. copper producer and a global leader, operating major copper mines (including Morenci and Bagdad) in Arizona alongside byproducts like molybdenum and gold. Directly comparable to Kennecott as a top-tier U.S. integrated copper mining operation targeting similar industrial and critical-minerals customers.
• Southern Copper Corporation: Southern Copper operates large-scale open-pit copper mines in Peru and Mexico with smelting and refining, producing copper along with byproducts (molybdenum, silver, zinc). Directly comparable as a vertically-integrated global copper miner; competes in commodity copper markets and the same critical-minerals narrative.
• Rio Tinto Group: Rio Tinto is Kennecott's parent company and one of the world's largest mining companies, with a copper portfolio that includes Kennecott, Oyu Tolgoi (Mongolia), and Resolution Copper (Arizona). It is the corporate parent framing Kennecott's strategic positioning and capital allocation.
• Glencore: Glencore is one of the world's largest diversified mining companies and a major copper producer (with operations in Chile, Peru, and elsewhere) along with significant trading operations. Comparable as a global competitor in copper markets and a peer within Rio Tinto's competitive set.
• BHP Group: BHP is one of the world's largest mining companies with major copper assets including Escondida and Pampa Norte in Chile, and is actively expanding copper exposure through acquisitions. Comparable as a global copper competitor and a sister diversified miner participating in the same critical-minerals thematic.
• Anglo American: Anglo American is a diversified major with significant copper exposure (Quellaveco in Peru, and other operations), focused on future-facing minerals. Comparable as a global copper competitor participating in the same decarbonization and electrification-driven copper demand thesis.

Direct peers

• Hudbay Minerals: Hudbay Minerals is a mid-tier copper producer with operations across the Americas (Arizona, Peru, Canada), producing copper concentrate with byproducts including gold, silver, and molybdenum. Comparable as a North American-focused copper miner with byproduct precious metals and a similar customer base of industrial users.
• Taseko Mines: Taseko Mines operates the Gibraltar copper-molybdenum mine in British Columbia and is developing Florence Copper in Arizona. Comparable as a North American-focused copper miner with byproduct metals, similar permitting and operational challenges, and exposure to U.S. copper markets.
• ASARCO LLC: ASARCO operates copper mines, smelters, and refineries across the southwestern United States (Arizona, Texas), producing refined copper along with byproducts. Directly comparable to Kennecott as one of the few integrated U.S. copper producers with smelting and refining capacity serving domestic industrial customers.

Others

• First Solar: First Solar is a leading U.S. CdTe thin-film solar panel manufacturer that is Kennecott's primary tellurium off-taker. Included as a forward integration target and strategic customer within the integrated North American tellurium-solar supply chain; not a direct competitor but a key commercial counterparty and vertically adjacent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kennecottutah
• YouTubeyoutube.com/RioTintoKennecott
• Facebookfacebook.com/riotintokennecott
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kennecott-bingham-canyon-mine
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeatriotinto

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kennecott Utah Copper LLC