Utah's premier sports and entertainment facility - Rio Tinto Stadium - officially unveiled its name, the Stadium's owner and operator, SCP Worldwide, announced on Monday, Sept. 29. Rio Tinto, the parent company to Kennecott Utah Copper, Kennecott Land Company and Kennecott Exploration, has signed a multi-year naming rights agreement for the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue located at the heart of the Wasatch Front. The venue is set to open on Thursday, October 9, 2008, as Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake hosts the New York Red Bulls LIVE on ESPN2.
Per company policies for both entities, terms were not disclosed. Rio Tinto Stadium provides a stunning new home for world-class events, one with breathtaking views of both the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountain ranges. For more information on the building's amenities, slate of events and ticket purchases, please visit the newly-launched www.RioTintoStadium.com website.
"With Rio Tinto, we have found a very special sponsor with deep local ties and one who shares the unique vision for what this Stadium provides," said Dave Checketts, Chairman of SCP Worldwide, Real Salt Lake's ownership group. "Rio Tinto and the Kennecott Utah Companies exemplify that vision with their collective commitment to our Utah community, the perfect match for what Rio Tinto Stadium represents."
"This opportunity helps us tell our story and lets people know who we are on a local and global level," said Bret Clayton, Chief Executive Officer, Rio Tinto Copper. "Soccer transcends cultural and economic boundaries, as it did when Rio Tinto employees introduced soccer to Spain in the late 1800s. This was done to create recreational opportunities for those living in the village and bring people together. Not much has changed since then."
Rio Tinto Stadium, host of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, is a new class of venue in the Intermountain West, attracting events that would not otherwise visit Utah, bolstering the state's reputation as an international sporting destination. The diversity of events attracted to Rio Tinto Stadium brings significant media attention, positively impacts tourism efforts and creates numerous permanent and seasonal job opportunities.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to work with Real Salt Lake and have Rio Tinto's name on this world-class facility," said Andrew Harding, President, Kennecott Utah Copper. "At Kennecott Utah Copper, we are part of something bigger. We are part of Rio Tinto, and we are part of this community. Through this opportunity, Rio Tinto and Kennecott can continue to educate the public about the importance mining plays in modern life, reach out to local youth through soccer clinics and other community events, and continue our long-standing commitment to Utah."
As the Stadium's sponsor, Rio Tinto and Kennecott will collaborate on the building's events to educate Utahns and visitors from around the world about the company, whose Oquirrh operation is in full view from the Stadium's northwest plaza, which will be called Kennecott Plaza. Inside the Stadium, exhibits, signage and activities will educate people about Kennecott's place in Utah's rich mining and natural history.
"The support Rio Tinto and the Kennecott Utah Companies have provided to the State over the years is legendary," said Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning. "The scope of Rio Tinto's commitment to this community and the vision we share greatly enforces the Stadium's ability to serve as a unifying place through the wide array of events Rio Tinto Stadium will host, and as a critical cornerstone for future development at the heart of the Wasatch Front."
Located in Sandy, Utah, Rio Tinto Stadium is conveniently accessed from major transportation arteries like Interstate-15 and State Street between 9000 South and 9400 South. The venue resides just 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and 25 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport. Rio Tinto Stadium can expand to concert configurations seating up to 25,000 fans.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto has been operating as a world leader in mining and exploration for 130 years. The company finds, mines and processes the earth's mineral resources and metals essential for making thousands of everyday products that meet society's needs and contribute to improved living standards. Rio Tinto's activities span the world with production from every continent. The company's products include aluminum, copper, diamonds, energy products, gold, industrial minerals and iron ore.
Rio Tinto is a modern-day business, committed to serving all of its stakeholders. It is headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK), combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. In October 2007, Rio Tinto acquired Alcan to create a workforce of approximately 65,000. www.riotinto.com
About Kennecott Utah Copper (KUC)
As the second largest copper producer in the United States, KUC provides about 13 percent of this country's copper needs. Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine is the largest man-made excavation in the world. It has produced more copper ore, 18.1 million tons, than any mine in the world. Every year, Kennecott produces approximately 300,000 tons of copper, along with 500,000 ounces of gold, 4 million ounces of silver, about 30 million pounds of molybdenum, and about 1 million tons of sulfuric acid, a by-product of the smelting process. Rio Tinto purchased Kennecott Utah Copper in 1989 and has invested about $2 billion in the modernization of KUC's operations. KUC has also spent more than $350 million on the cleanup of historic mining waste and $100 million on groundwater cleanup. KUC employs 1,800 people and hundreds of contractors. www.kennecott.com
About Kennecott Land Company (KLC)
KLC was established by Rio Tinto in April 2001 to develop surplus mining land. Daybreak is the first testament to that vision. Daybreak is situated on 4,126 acres in South Jordan City where 20,000 homes are planned. At KLC, sustainable development is at the heart of every business decision by balancing the complex interaction of environmental, economic and social factors. Kennecott Land does this in a way that protects and strengthens what matters most to our community: strong and safe neighborhoods, quality education, a healthy and renewable environment, and a vibrant local economy. www.kennecott.com and www.daybreakutah.com
Kennecott Exploration (RTX)
Rio Tinto Exploration seeks to discover or identify mineral resources. RTX is a world leader in mineral exploration by seeking to maximize the contribution to sustainable resource development by targeting large, long-life, high-quality ore bodies that deliver superior value. RTX fosters open and trusting relationships with employees, service providers, regulators and host communities while helping those communities build economic capacity through employment opportunities, training and supply agreements with local service providers. In addition, RTX minimizes the use of natural resources during the exploration process. www.riotinto.com
About Rio Tinto Stadium
Rio Tinto Stadium is a state-of-the-art, sports and entertainment facility in Utah, providing a stunning new home for world-class events, one with breathtaking views of both the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountain ranges. Rio Tinto Stadium opens its doors for the first time to the public on Thursday, October 9, 2008, when it hosts the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer action LIVE on ESPN2 before an international audience. Other event days include: Saturday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. vs. FC Dallas, LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel; the Saturday, November 8 USA Rugby doubleheader; and the Saturday, December 6 "Top of the Mountains" American Football Bowl Game.
The Stadium, host of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, is a new class of venue in the Intermountain West, attracting events that would not otherwise visit Utah, bolstering the state's reputation as an international sporting destination. The diversity of events attracted to Rio Tinto Stadium brings significant media attention, positively impacts tourism efforts and creates numerous job opportunities on both permanent and seasonal bases.
Located in Sandy, Utah, at the heart of the Wasatch Front, Rio Tinto Stadium is conveniently accessed from major transportation arteries Interstate-15 as well State Street, between 9000 South and 9400 South. The venue resides just 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and 25 minutes from SLC International Airport. The venue seats 20,008 people for various sporting events, including Major League Soccer games, with capacity rising to 25,000 for concerts and other events. Stadium amenities include 32 luxury suites, a 2,000-square foot Stadium Club, 1,000 club seats, five locker rooms, a 60-foot Video Board, and ribbon LED boards on both the east and west fascia.
