Rio Tinto Kennecott South Jordan Annexation

The Salt Lake Valley continues to grow, and properties near this parcel of land are being developed. As a long-term community member, economic driver, and major landowner, with over a century of mining experience and stewardship of the Oquirrh Mountains, long-range planning is a hallmark of Kennecott. With Utah being one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, now is the right time for Kennecott to proactively plan for this growth and begin laying the groundwork for a future community that will serve Utahns for generations to come.

The 2,200 acres that will be used for this project are located in the southwestern corner of South Jordan City, generally west of U-111/Bacchus Highway and south of 11800 South.

Kennecott and South Jordan City have been neighbors and partners for more than 100 years, and the company has worked closely with the City since Kennecott developed the Daybreak community in South Jordan 20 years ago. With this ongoing partnership, Kennecott can build on past successes to plan for and, over the next few decades, gradually create sustainable and innovative neighborhoods that celebrate the surrounding natural environment.

The 2,200 acres recently annexed into South Jordan City was historically used for mining purposes, and some areas are currently used for mining operations, with little permanent development on the site.

Yes. The safety and well-being of current and future community members is a top priority for Kennecott. Before annexing this property into South Jordan City, several environmental and regulatory studies were completed, indicating this area is safe for future development. Throughout the planning and development process, Kennecott is committed to ensuring the site is safe while providing an ecological benefit to the residents and wildlife. Kennecott has a long and successful history of voluntary environmental reclamation of areas affected by previous mining activities.

Kennecott is being proactive and deliberate to design and create a residential master planned community that anticipates regional growth and addresses challenges that Utah is experiencing today. Kennecott is in the early phases of planning for development that helps meet current and future housing needs, reduces resource consumption, respects the foothills environment, encourages outdoor recreation, and connects with neighboring areas via a network of multi-use trails. Development will be phased over decades and will incorporate best practices for water conservation, transportation, and recreation. Kennecott will work together with surrounding neighborhoods to ensure this future community is thoughtfully and sustainably developed to create a vibrant place for people to live, work and play.

Kennecott has committed to develop at least 25% of the land as open space, parks, and trails, including maintained wild lands and three active parks to be owned and operated by South Jordan City.

The planned density for the project mirrors that of the nearby Daybreak community and is proposed to include single-family detached and attached homes, condos, and apartments. Diverse and integrated housing products with strong design standards can be expected.

Kennecott is in the early phases of planning for development, and we are intentionally working to minimize traffic impacts to neighboring communities, much like we did in planning for the Daybreak community with the integration of TRAX and the extension of the Mountain View Corridor. Kennecott is actively coordinating with South Jordan City and the Utah Department of Transportation to ensure future development is well networked with safe roads, sidewalks, and trails. Kennecott is working to connect the area’s network of multi-use trails to promote walking, biking, and transit opportunities.

Water in this area is provided by South Jordan City, which receives water from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. Kennecott intends to develop this project over many years with the goal of implementing best practices for water conservation and drought resiliency. We are working with the Conservancy District and South Jordan City to meet these goals.

Kennecott is working with regional partners to plan for and develop right-sized infrastructure that is sustainable and creates more connections to the area's natural recreation amenities. As a mining company with a long history in the Salt Lake Valley, Kennecott is known for taking the time needed to plan major projects thoroughly and thoughtfully, and this master-planned community will follow that model.

On March 21, 2023, the South Jordan City Council held a public hearing and approved the annexation, and a preliminary agreement of development guidelines for the master-planned community was outlined in a memorandum of understanding. The State of Utah gave final approval to the annexation in summer 2023. Early community design concepts are being developed and Kennecott is working with South Jordan City to create a master development agreement.

Development of the property will take place in phases over decades, depending on the company’s mining needs, permitting, and market demand. A portion of the property will remain undeveloped until mining operations cease.

Please email questions or comments to info@KennecottLands.com.

Rio Tinto Kennecott is an integrated copper mining operation located near Salt Lake City. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and has been an active and collaborative contributor to the economic success and development of the Salt Lake Valley. Nearly 20 years ago, Kennecott created Daybreak, one of the nation’s most successful master-planned communities. Daybreak set the standard for master-planned communities with its thoughtful design, amenities, and high quality of life.