For several years it had been unknown whether Rio Tinto would keep the Bingham Canyon mine operating beyond the next decade. I guess they envision mineral prices staying high enough to warrant an extension into the 2030s.
"Kennecott Utah Copper is laying plans for a major expansion of its Bingham Canyon mine, a project that if launched promises to solidify its centurylong status as one of the state’s main economic engines. If the plan clears regulatory hurdles, it will extend the mine’s life to 2034 and secure more than 2,000 jobs, while avoiding a scenario in which Kennecott would wind down operations starting in 2016 and gradually lay off workers as the end of copper production approaches in 2021, said CEO Kelly Sanders."
