Highland Boy Drainage Gallery

Client

Kennecott Utah Copper & Gold

Completion Date

2009

Designer

Nordmin Engineering

Location

Salt Lake City, Utah

Delivery Method

General Contractor

Division

Underground

Contract Value

$41 million
Highland Boy Drainage Gallery

Highland Boy Drainage Gallery is an 8,000-linear-foot drainage gallery at the base of the Bingham Canyon Mine. The excavation process involved the strategic application of drill & blast techniques, with crews advancing the tunnel from two separate headings in a horseshoe orientation, ultimately meeting in the middle. To support the drainage program running throughout the tunnel, drill stations and sump pumps were installed at various points along the way. The structural integrity of the tunnel is reinforced through the application of shotcrete, welded wire mesh, and an array of bolting techniques.

Upon completion of the tunnel, Atkinson installed a drainage system comprised of stainless steel header units. The system collects water that drains from the drill galleries into an 18-inch HDPE pipe and discharges it into a sump at the portals.