Kennecott Land Slide

A poem/story about the largest landslide in history in the largest open pit copper mine in the world

For over one hundred years

For thousands of women and men

The mountain where they found copper

Has created a life for many of them,

 

Futures and families have counted

On the mountain and what it is giving

Putting their faith and security

In the hope that this life is worth living,

 

Then came news that caused concern

To spread throughout the mine

A hillside was starting to slide it seems

And it was simply a matter of time,

 

Then with barely a warning

The mountain came thundering down

Filling the bottom with dirt and rock

A destructive barrage of brown,

 

Through planning and safety measures

Not a soul was lost in the slide

But the damage to equipment was heart breaking

And emotions were not easy to hide,

 

But from the mountain that became a mine

The largest manmade hole in the earth

The miners at Kennecott Utah Copper

Joined together to prove their worth,

 

For the mine that we have counted on

Now must count on us to dig it out

With perseverance and sweat, I would make a bet

The Bingham miners will succeed without doubt,

 

And the mountain where they found copper

Over a century ago it appears

Yes, the mine we depend on for a living

Will live on for another fifty years.

Author's Note

The slide was completely contained inside the mine and no physical damage was done to the outside, only one building was destroyed, but many vehicles and pieces of equipment worth millions of dollars in the bottom of the mine were demolished or buried. It will take years to dig out the debris from the slide, but, that's what we do. WE MOVE DIRT.

For more information on the slide, Go to: http://www.kennecott.com/

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

We can only hope it will be there for another fifty years...providing jobs and income for so many of the people who live there. I have no doubt you and your coworkers will move the dirt and open up that mine again. Flawless rhyming here. You told the story so well. Lydi**

[Trace]

Thank you for your excellent comments on this piece.
If you google "Kennecott land slide poem " this poem shows up from this site.

Cool huh?

I am at work today......... moving dirt.

Trace

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, that is VERY cool....a real feather in your cap. I know you will do a great job, Trace. lydi**

[Tiana]

Glad no one was seriously injured or killed. Wonderfully written. You are an amazing writer, Trace

[Trace]

You honor me with such a wonderful compliment.
Thank you so very much.

This is where I am right now. Sitting in my giant haul truck in the middle of a blizzard.
Thinking about a sunny beach.

Trace

[Roland Petrov]

You really do some interesting stuff! My brother is a mineral dealer and he regularly deals with miners in Bolivia. He's undoubtedly familiar with the Kennecott mine. I haven't heard of this particular slide, but your poem brings it home. I can feel for the miners, their families, and their livelihoods.

[Trace]

Thank you for reading and commenting on this poem.
I was honored to have this poem included in the one year after commemorative photo album.

Thank you for sharing also.

Trace

[Sami Khalil]

I learn something every time I visit your page. I take something precious every time I leave your page. Excellent telling...:)....................

[Trace]

What an excellent comment and amazing compliment.

Thank you my friend.

Trace

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure. Any time...:)...........................