Historic Park City mine shafts secured after posing safety hazards to millions of visitors

PARK CITY, Utah — Beneath the trails and ski runs of Park City Mountain are remnants of the city’s mining past, including historic mine shafts that once posed a hidden hazard to the people who visit the resort each year.

Two of those mine shafts, the Thaynes and Silver King, have now been secured, and the project has received a national award for its approach to preserving Park City’s mining history while making the area safer for recreation.

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program received the 2026 National Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for the project.

The award was presented Sept. 21 in Park City during the National Association of AML Programs conference.

From 2023 through 2025, the state spent $358,507 to address the two historic mine shafts on Park City Mountain Resort property near Park City. The sites were in an area that sees more than 4 million visitors annually, including skiers, mountain bikers, and hikers.

The vertical mine openings were secured using custom-designed polyurethane foam and concrete closures. Crews also stabilized deteriorating foundations associated with historic mine buildings and headframes.

Rather than removing the historic features entirely, the project was designed to minimize surface disturbance while addressing the safety hazards.

“This project demonstrates innovation, strong community partnerships and the lasting benefits of addressing legacy mining hazards while helping build a better future for communities,” said Tom Shope, OSMRE deputy director, who presented the award.

The project also involved Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, a local historic preservation organization that helped provide expertise and resources.

Steve Fluke, manager of Utah’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, said the work was particularly important given the number of people who use the area around the historic mine sites.

“Park City Mountain Resort sees approximately 4 million visitors annually,” Fluke said. “Eliminating the physical hazard of the vertical openings and helping to stabilize the structures directly improved the safety of skiers, mountain bikers and hikers who visit the area around these historic mine sites.”

The project is part of a broader effort to address abandoned mines throughout Utah while preserving the remnants of the state’s mining history.