Butte Mines

18811.6 km deepCopper

CountryUSA

RegionMontana

Year Opened1881

Size/Depth1.6 km deep

MineralCopper

About Butte Mines

Known as the Richest Hill on Earth. Produced vast copper, silver, and gold that helped electrify America. Underground shafts reached a depth of about 1.6 km. The Berkeley Pit opened in 1955 and swallowed historic neighborhoods. The pit now holds a highly acidic lake and is a Superfund site. Water treatment will be needed indefinitely to contain it.

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