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Oquirrh Mountains - Definition and Overview |
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The Oquirrh Mountains are a mountain range that run north-south for approximately 30 miles (50 km) to form the west side of Utah's Salt Lake Valley, separating it from Tooele Valley. The range stops at the south shore of the Great Salt Lake. The highest elevation is Lewiston Peak at 10,676 feet. The name Oquirrh (pronounced O-Ker) was taken from the Goshute Indian word meaning "wooded mountain."
The mountains have been mined for gold, silver, lead, and most famously for copper, as home of Kennecott Copper Mine, the world's largest open pit mine. As seen from Salt Lake City, the view of the mountain range is dominated by the displaced rock material dug from the Kennecott mine.
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