Utah Copper Mine Reopens After Lying Dormant for Years - What Could it Mean for Other Struggling Rural Towns?

Brendan Moseley, the CEO of Milford Mining, told Fox 13 the mine's reserves can support production for eight to nine more years, and the company is planning an expansion to increase capacity.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A long-dormant copper mine in Beaver County, Utah resumed operations earlier this year under new ownership.

It was closed in 2019 amid a slump in the price of the metal due to trade war fears. But in 2023, Milford Mining acquired it and began hiring workers, according to a recent Fox 13 report.

The company has struck a deal to sell its copper to Rio Tinto Kennecott — operator of the Bingham Canyon mine and the Magna smelter — signalling confidence in the price of the metal staying high.

From dormancy to revival

Brendan Moseley, the CEO of Milford Mining, told Fox 13 the mine's reserves can support production for eight to nine more years, and the company is planning an expansion to increase capacity.

'It’s fantastic for rural Utah. We are currently about 105 full-time and direct employees, plus another 35 to 45 contractors. As we progress towards our expansion which we announced in April, we'll continue to hire more construction workers,' he said.

In May, Deseret News reported that Milford Mining has so far invested $40 million to modernize its mining facilities and plans to invest $200 million for the expansion.

'This investment is projected to create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next 10 years in Beaver County, offering vital economic opportunities for rural Utahns,' said the report.

The project aligns with broader U.S. efforts to secure domestic sources of critical minerals and reduce dependency on imports.

The mine’s reopening shows how rural communities can benefit from favorable market conditions and trade policies. As the demand for copper rises, similar sites across the country could be reopened.

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