The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program has received the 2026 National Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award for its work in Summit County, according to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The project, which focused on the Thaynes and Silver King shafts, was recognized for its ability to secure hazardous historic mine sites near popular recreation areas in Park City.
National Recognition for Safety Work
The national award was presented to Utah by OSMRE Deputy Director Tom Shope during the National Association of AML Programs conference held in Park City on Sept. 21, 2026, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement reported. The recognition comes as part of a broader awards program that honors exemplary state and Tribal reclamation projects that address coal mine sites abandoned prior to the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
From 2023 through 2025, the Utah program worked to safeguard the Thaynes and Silver King shafts located on Park City Mountain Resort property. The project cost $358,507 and was designed to eliminate significant public safety hazards in a destination that hosts more than 4 million visitors annually, including hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers.
Engineering and Partnerships
Engineering efforts for the Summit County project utilized custom-designed polyurethane foam and concrete closures to secure the shafts. These measures were implemented to stabilize the failing foundations of historic buildings and headframes while minimizing surface disturbance to protect the area's mining heritage.
Steve Fluke, the Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Manager, noted that the work eliminated physical hazards from vertical openings and helped stabilize structures that were previously unstable for visitors exploring the area. The program achieved these results through a partnership with the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, a local organization dedicated to historic preservation.
A Legacy of Mining and Skiing
The Thaynes and Silver King sites represent a significant part of Park City's industrial history. The Thaynes Mine was established in 1937 as a western shaft of the Silver King Coalition Mine. Its development was driven by the need to access new ore after metal prices plummeted during the Great Depression, a period when President Roosevelt announced government purchases of domestically mined silver at a premium.
While the shafts were closed to mining in 1947, the equipment was used between 1965 and 1969 to serve as a unique ski lift, transporting skiers in man cars through the Spiro Tunnel. Today, the Spiro Tunnel is maintained by Park City Municipal as a major source of drinking water for the town.
Preserving Historic Infrastructure
The reclamation project follows previous efforts to preserve the area's historic structures. In 2017-18, the Thaynes conveyor was identified as a high priority for stabilization due to the risk of collapse from heavy snowfall. A stabilization and restoration project for the Thaynes complex was estimated to cost $1,270,000, with a goal for completion by 2027, depending on the success of a $3 million capital campaign.
In addition to the shaft stabilization, the Park City Museum and the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History continue to manage the area's heritage. The Silver King Mine, a 31-acre historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, remains a focal point for both historical study and modern recreation.
About the AML Awards
The OSMRE awards program evaluates nominations based on several criteria, including the innovative use of technology, the difficulty of achieving reclamation under existing conditions, and the long-term benefits to the community. The national award is granted to the state or tribe with the highest scoring overall reclamation project.
Other 2026 award recipients include the Railroad Commission of Texas for the Small Project Award and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for the Western States and Tribes Award. The program aims to ensure that legacy coal mines are reclaimed and that abandoned mine lands are restored to beneficial use.
Securing the Future
The success of the Summit County project highlights the intersection of historic preservation and modern public safety. By addressing legacy mining hazards, the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining has helped ensure that the region's mining legacy remains a safe and accessible part of the landscape for the millions of people who visit the Wasatch Mountains each year.
