Garth Lenz's Image

Garth Lenz (Canada) captures the scale of the largest open excavation on Earth.

Appalled by the scale of the ever-expanding open pit but aesthetically fascinated, Garth set out to create a landscape image that would contrast the gutted mountainside with the pristine beauty of the peaks beyond. Lit by the early morning Sun, this image portrays no hint of the extreme turbulence Garth was enduring in his LightHawk plane.

The products from this mine - namely copper and tellurium - are used in a variety of products we use in our everyday lives, including solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, lubricants and even mobile phones.

This mine historically contaminated Salt Lake City’s aquifer with acids, sulphates and metals, which led to a multi-billion-dollar clean-up operation. While the controversy around the environmental legacy of the mine is ongoing, today the owner aims to highlight its new environmental credentials.

How you can help

• Try to buy less new technology by having your phone, camera or laptop repaired before buying a new replacement.
• Recycle your broken electronics through a reliable organisation. If you're in the UK, you can search for one in your area or contact your local authority to find a reliable recycling service near you.
• Mining causes habitat destruction and forces wild animals to move into new areas, which can cause deadly diseases to spread. Talk to your family and friends about the impact of mining and encourage them to reduce their electronic waste.
• Switching to green technology requires more mineral resources. Listen to our podcast to learn how we might be able to extract these metals while minimising environmental impacts.