Kennecott Utah Copper LLC

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2011 DAQ
2011 DWQ
2010 DAQ
The operational and environmental cleanup activities at Kennecott Utah Copper LLC’s (Kennecott) Bingham Canyon Mine, Copperton Concentrator, Smelter, Refinery, Tailings Facility and the various ancillary facilities are regulated under a number of federal and State programs with authority to oversee the work pursued by Kennecott and other third parties. The federal and State agencies draw their authority from a number of federal statutes, including the Comprehensive, Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972, and the Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970, as well as State of Utah environmental protection acts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 has the authority under CERCLA (i.e., Superfund) to oversee the cleanup of

historical mining contaminated areas at the Kennecott properties. The Utah Division of Environmental Response and Remediation (DERR) works in partnership with EPA to oversee Kennecott’s environmental cleanup activities.
Starting in the late 1980s, the State of Utah Natural Resource Damage Trustee (NRD Trustee) has overseen the investigation of mining influenced groundwater and the implementation of cleanup actions performed by Kennecott and the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) to address two groundwater plumes located in Southwest Salt Lake County. The plumes were caused by historic mining practices in the Kennecott South Zone. The NRD Trustee’s authority is derived from Section 107(f) of CERCLA.
As authorized by the State Legislature under the Utah Water Quality Act (Title 19, Chapter 5 of the Utah Annotated Code), the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) enacted rules for the protection of groundwater. DWQ regulates potential discharges to aquifer systems within the State of Utah, including a number of locations at Kennecott under the Utah Ground Water Protection Program (GWPP).
DWQ implements the Utah Pollution Discharge Elimination System program (UPDES), which oversees the discharge of water from a number of outfall locations at Kennecott. DWQ is authorized under the CWA to implement the UPDES program.
As authorized by the State Legislature, under the Utah Air Conservation Act (Title 19, Chapter 2 of the Utah Annotated Code), the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) regulates the emissions from Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon Mine, Copperton Concentrator, Power Plant, Laboratory, Tailings Impoundment, Smelter, and Refinery facilities.
The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) provides oversight of the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste regulated under the Utah Hazardous Waste Management Act or RCRA, as it pertains to the Kennecott facility. This includes oversight of rules related to hazardous substance or materials that when released or spilled become a hazardous waste.
2020 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC – Settlement Agreement – Docket # UGW19-06

Public Notice
(222 KB)
Settlement Agreement
(191 KB)
Close of Comments: August 7,  2020
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Corrective Action
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC – Settlement Agreement – Docket # UGW19-05

Public Notice
(222 KB)
Settlement Agreement
(182 KB)
Close of Comments: August 7,  2020
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Corrective Action
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC – Magna, UT

Public Notice
(206 KB)
Draft Permit
(634 KB)
Draft Statement of Basis
(169 KB)
Site Map
(2 MB)
Close of Comments: July 31, 2020
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Christopher L. Shope

Type: Ground Water Discharge Permit
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC – Bingham Canyon Mine

Public Notice
(233 KB)
Draft Permit
(28 MB)
Draft Statement of Basis
(564 KB)
Close of Comments: July 13, 2020
Public Hearing: None
Contact:
Brian Hamos

Type: Ground Water Discharge Permit
2020 Public Notices: Waste Management and Radiation Control
Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper Tailings Refuse Class IIIb Landfill: Draft Permit

Public Notice
(158 KB)
Draft Permit
(182 KB)
Attachment 1 to the Draft Permit
(3.6 MB)
Attachment 2 to the Draft Permit
(518 KB)
Attachment 3 to the Draft Permit
(1.2 MB)
Close of Comments: September 7, 2020
Email Comments:
dwmrcpublic@utah.gov
(See Public Notice for submission details.)
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Doug Taylor

Type: Draft Permit
Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper Bingham Canyon Mine Used Tire Monofill Class IIIb Landfill: Draft Permit

Public Notice
(136 KB)
Draft Permit
(184 KB)
Attachment 1 to the Draft Permit
(5 MB)
Attachment 2 to the Draft Permit
(73 KB)
Attachment 3 to the Draft Permit
(191 KB)
Close of Comments: August 4, 2020, through September 2, 2020
Email Comments:
dwmrcpublic@utah.gov
(See Public Notice for submission details.)
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Doug Taylor

Type: Draft Permit
Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper Smelter Refuse Class IIIb Landfill: Draft Permit

Public Notice
(138 KB)
Draft Permit
(173 KB)
Attachment 1 to the Draft Permit
(12 MB)
Attachment 2 to the Draft Permit
(54 KB)
Attachment 3 to the Draft Permit
(1.54 MB)
Close of Comments: August 31, 2020
Email Comments:
dwmrcpublic@utah.gov
(See Public Notice for submission details.)
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Doug Taylor

Type: Draft Landfill Permit
2019 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Utah Copper LLC, Smelter Facility

Public Notice
(11 KB)
Draft Statement of Basis
(594 KB)
Draft GW Discharge Permit
(832 KB)
Draft Appendicies
(21 MB)
Open for Comments: March 13, 2019 at 8:00 am
Close of Comments: April 12, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Contact (Email):
Christopher L. Shope

Type: Ground Water Discharge Permit
2018 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Barneys Canyon Mining Company

Public Notice
(18.91 KB)
Draft Statement of Basis
(70.94 KB)
Draft GW Discharge Permit
(219.45 KB)
Close of Comments: September 21, 2018
Public Hearing: None
Contact:
Brian Hamos

Type: Ground Water Discharge Permit
Kennecott Utah Copper LLC – Draft Stipulation and Consent Order (SCO)

Public Notice
Settlement of Agreement and Order of Consent
Close of Comments: March 12, 2018
Public Hearing: March 28, 2018
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Enforcement Actions
2017 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Utah Copper LLC (KUC)

Public Notice
Statement of Basis
Groundwater Discharge Permit
Appendix A
Close of Comments: December 18, 2017
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Groundwater Permits
Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper East Abutment Extension

Public Notice
Close of Comments: May 26, 2017
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
William Damery

Type: 401 Water Quality Certification
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC, Permit UT0000051

Public Notice
Newspaper Publication
Close of Comments: April 17, 2017
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Nate Nichols

Type: General Water Quality
2016 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC, Permit UT0000051

Public Notice
(81.51 KB)
Transmittal Letter
(63.32 KB)
Newspaper Publication
(45.14 KB)
Fact Sheet/Statement of Basis
(2.8 MB)

Attachment 1
(1.95MB)
Draft Permit
(4.65 MB)
Close of Comments: October 19, 2016
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Nate Nichols

Type: UPDES Discharge Permits
Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC, Permit UGW350011

Public Notice
(66.25 KB)
Draft Permit
(375.13 KB)
Statement of Basis
(288.69 KB)
Close of Comments: May 13, 2016
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Ed Hickey

Type: Groundwater Permit
2015 Public Notices: Water Quality
Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper, Permit UGW350006

Public Notice
(18.18 KB)
Statement of Basis
(36.73 KB)
Draft Permit
(152.28 KB)
Appendix A
(69.2 KB)
Appendix B
(57.33 KB)
Appendix C
(465.1 KB)
Appendix D
(47.57 KB)
Close of Comments: December 10, 2015
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Ground Water Discharge Permit
Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper, Docket No. UGW13-02, Permit UGW350017

Public Notice
(24.2 KB)
Notice of Violation and Compliance Order
(4.48 KB)
Stipulation and Consent Order
(27.47 KB)
Close of Comments: December 10, 2015
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Enforcement Actions
Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper, UGW350015

Public Notice
(68.83 KB)
Draft Permit
(641.63 KB)
Statement of Basis
(155.27 KB)
Close of Comments: July 27, 2015
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Ed Hickey

Type: Ground Water Discharge Permit
Kennecott Utah Copper Ground Water Discharge Permit, UGW350010

Public Notice Final
(19.56 KB)
Statement of Basis
(12.29 MB)
Permit
(9.17 MB)
SWRR GW Application
(55.52MKB)
Draft Construction Permit
(8.74 MB)
Appendix A
(69.2 KB)
Appendix B
(41.07 KB)
Appendix C
(23.8 KB)
Appendix D
(30.43 MB)
Appendix E
(43.05 KB)
Appendix F
(82.56 KB)
Appendix G
(63.45 KB)
Appendix H
(27.2 KB)
Appendix I
(47.7 MB)
Appendix J
(55.52 MB)
Appendix K
(8.74 MB)
Close of Comments: April 1, 2015
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Brian Hamos

Type: Groundwater Permits
2014 Public Notice: Air Quality
January 13, 2014: (DAQ) Notice of Intent
Kennecott Utah Copper LLC (KUC) is requesting a modification to the Bingham Canyon Mine (BCM) Approval Order DAQE-AN0105710032-13 to add a crushing and screening operation that will be located outside the pit. The crushers will process mined material while the pit is being restored after the slide in April 2013. The production of material from the crushing and screening will be included in the current limits as applicable. The Potential to Emit emissions from the BCM will not increase from the operation of the crushing and screening operation. Offsets for PM10 are not required for this modification in accordance with R307-403-5.
KUC is also requesting approval to add a concrete batch plant that will be used to supply concrete for onsite use, to add propane-fired emergency generators, and to replace an existing baghouse. The emissions from the concrete batch plant will be controlled by a baghouse. The generators will provide back-up power for the communications network. A more efficient baghouse will replace the existing Sample Preparations Building baghouse.
Salt Lake County is a nonattainment area of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM10, PM2.5 and SO2, and is a maintenance area for ozone. New Source Performance Standards, Subpart LL, (Standards of Performance for Metallic Mineral Processing Plants) and Subpart OOO (Standards of Performance for Nonmetallic Mineral Processing Plants) apply to the BCM. The BCM is an area source and is not a major Title V source. The point source emissions from the concrete batch plant and stock piles for the batch plant (in Ton Per Year at the BCM) are estimated as follows: PM10 = +0.35, and PM2.5 = +0.10.
KUC has an emissions limit for the BCM for the combined emissions of PM10, SO2, and NOx (7,350 TPY) and combined emissions of PM2.5, SO2 and NOx (6,205 Tons Per Year) encompass facility wide emissions. These limits include point sources and fugitive sources and these limits will not be increased as a result of this modification. The total Potential to Emit from the BCM, at maximum production, including point sources and fugitive sources, is as follows (in Tons Per Year): PM10 = 1,513, PM2.5 = 368, NOx = 5,830, SO2 = 7, CO = 1,682, VOC = 314, and HAPs = 1.37. The total GHG emissions from point sources is 327 TPY CO2e.
2013 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Smelter UGW350008

Public Notice
(200.34 KB)
Statement of Basis

Draft Permit
(160.48 KB)
Smelter Tables and Appendices
(464.78 KB)
Close of Comments: November 4, 2013
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Ed Hickey

Type: Groundwater Permits
Kennecott Utah Copper Tailings Impoundment Draft Permit Modification

Public Notice
(19.67 KB)
Public Information
(94.52 KB)
Statement of Basis
225.45( KB)
Draft Permit
(225.45 KB)

Table 1
(171.66 KB)
Appendix A
(24.07 KB)
Appendix B
(155.46 KB)
Appendix B Addendum
(103.9 KB)
Map
(730.38 KB)
Appendix C
(97.32 KB)
Final Permit Application
(28.55 MB)
Application Termination
(44.06 KB)
Close of Comments: August 12, 2013
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Ed Hickey

Type: Groundwater Discharge Permit
Kennecott Barneys Canyon Mining Company Draft Permit Renewal

Public Notice
(12.25 KB)
Close of Comments: June 3, 2013
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Dan Hall

Type: Groundwater Permits
Kennecott GW Permit Modification and East Waste Rock Extension

Public Notice
Close of Comments: April 26, 2013
Public Hearing: Informational: March 21, 2013; Information with Public Hearing: April 8, 2013
Contact (Email):
Dan Hall

Type: Groundwater Permits
Kennecott Utah Copper Stipulation and Consent Order

Public Notice
(22.83 KB)
Draft SCO
(44.06 KB)
Attachment A
(620 KB)
Close of Comments: January 22, 2013
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Dan Hall

Type: Enforcement Actions
2011 Public Notice: Air Quality
June 27, 2011: (DAQ) Approval Order Modification
On June 27, 2011, the Division of Air Quality has approved Kennecott’s request to modify its Approval Order, outlined in a Notice of Intent (NOI). The NOI centered on a requested increase in the limit of the material moved from 197 to 260 million tons per year.
The public comment period ended on March 20, 2011. As a result of comments received, Kennecott and DAQ negotiated permit conditions that go beyond NSR rules to provide validation of emissions from the pit and augment the fugitive dust control plan. Specific additional conditions that have been incorporated into the permit include:

Fugitive Dust Control Measures—DAQ has taken key provisions from the fugitive dust control plan and incorporated those conditions into the permit. This will provide assurance that these key provisions for minimizing dust from the mine will be subjected to public review in order to be modified.
PM10 Ambient Air Monitoring—New permit conditions will require Kennecott to monitor for PM10 at two locations. The monitors will be placed at locations that DAQ determines to be modeled as the highest impacted. These stations will provide validation that PM10 NAAQS are not being violated as a result of mine operations. Kennecott will submit quarterly monitoring reports.
Pit Retention—The permit will require Kennecott to conduct a study to validate the pit retention factors that were used in establishing the combined emissions caps. Kennecott must validate the pit retention factors used in the Approval Order for PM10 and PM2.5. Though the caps are not required by regulation, they have been incorporated into the permit to further control and monitor emissions.
Related documents:

Final Permit

ITA Response to Comments

Complete and Final Notice of Intent

Intent to Approve

Comments received either in writing or by Email during the public comment period are posted below. Although DEQ is not required to post these comments on its Website, it has done so to aid the public discourse.

Comments Received, Part 1
(94 KB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 2
(328 KB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 3
(10 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 4
(11 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 5
(11 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 6
(10 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 7
(11 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 8
(11 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 9
(11 MB) (Posted 03/10/11)
Comments Received, Part 10
(13 MB) (Posted 03/21/11)
Comments Received, Part 11
(6 MB) (Posted 03/21/11)
Comments Received, Part 12
(216 KB) (Posted 03/21/11)
Comments Received, Part 13
(3 MB) (Posted 03/23/11)
2011 Public Notices: Water Quality
Kennecott Utah Copper—Bingham Canyon Mine—Draft Permit Modification

Public Participation Summary
(110.19 KB)
Public Notice of Extension
(15.57 KB)
Public Notice
(16.79 KB)
Statement of Basis
(34.6 KB)
Appendix F (Best Management Practices Plan)
(40.02 KB)
Draft Modified Permit
(67.6 KB)
Close of Comments: July 11, 2011
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Dan Hall

Type: Groundwater Permits
Kennecott Utah Copper—North Concentrator—Draft Permit Modification

Public Participation Summary
(110.19 KB)
Public Notice of Extension
(17.53 KB)
Public Notice
(17.51 KB)
Statement of Basis
(22.58 KB)
Appendix B
(186.1 KB)
Draft Modified Permit
(95.54 KB)
Close of Comments: July 11, 2011
Public Hearing: None
Contact (Email):
Ed Hickey

Type: Groundwater Permits
2010 Public Notices: Air Quality
(DAQ) Approval to Modify
Kennecott Utah Copper LLC (KUC) has requested approval to modify four processes at the smelter and has requested a production increase at the Bingham Pit. The four smelter process requests are supported by the Division of Air Quality but the production increase at the Bingham Pit is not an Approval Order issue. DAQ has determined that Kennecott will need to apply for an increase through the State Implementation Plan (SIP) process.
Contacts
If you have questions, comments, or require more information, contact the following DEQ representatives:

Air Quality:
Jay Morris
(801) 536-4079
Environmental Response & Remediation (CERCLA and NRD):
Douglas Bacon
(801) 536-4282
Solid and Hazardous Waste:
Rocky Stonestreet
(801) 536-0258
Water Quality:
Dan Hall
(801) 536-4356
Last updated: August 6, 2020 at 2:35 pm
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Kennecott Utah Copper LLC
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