On March 12, 2026, a fatal incident occurred at Rio Tinto’s Kennecott (Bingham Canyon) mine in Utah when a large boom attached to heavy equipment gave way and struck contractor Brian Cameli, a 37‑year‑old employee, inside a maintenance shop.
Rio Tinto’s chief executive, Simon Trott, said the company was deeply saddened by the loss and offered condolences to Cameli’s family, friends and the Kennecott community. He added that the company is working closely with authorities and contractors to investigate the incident and support those affected.
The incident prompted the immediate suspension of all surface and underground mining operations at Kennecott. The mine contributes roughly 10‑12 % of U.S. domestic copper production and houses one of the few U.S. copper smelters, so the halt is expected to have a short‑term impact on regional supply chains.
Investors responded positively to the news, reflecting confidence in Rio Tinto’s long‑term commodity fundamentals and its diversified portfolio. The company’s market position and the broader copper supply‑demand outlook were cited as key factors in the market’s reaction.
Rio Tinto’s safety record has been scrutinized in the past, including a 2013 landslide at Bingham Canyon that caused no injuries and a fatality at its Simandou project in Guinea earlier this year. The Kennecott incident raises questions about the company’s contractor safety protocols and its overall risk management framework.
The company has reiterated its commitment to a zero‑harm approach and is conducting a thorough investigation to determine root causes and prevent future incidents. The incident underscores the inherent safety risks of large‑scale open‑pit mining and the importance of rigorous safety oversight.
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