New Mexico bans new uranium mines on state land

New Mexico’s State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richards has announced a ban on new uranium mines on state land. The move comes as interest in uranium mining has increased in the state, though no active uranium mines currently operate there.

Larry King, a resident of Church Rock about 12 miles northeast of Gallup, said the impact on the environment is a serious concern. King is Navajo and said he has lived in Church Rock all his life.

“The desecration of the environmental environment is huge,” said King.

King recalled the Church Rock uranium mill spill in 1979, which released more than 93 million gallons of radioactive waste into the Rio Puerco. The spill remains one of the largest accidental releases of radioactive waste in U.S. history.

“Several livestock owners that used to graze their cattle along the Puerco wash because it was almost the major water source for their cattle,” said King.

King said a uranium mine is being proposed by Laramide Resources about 1,000 miles from his home. He said if the mine is approved, it would force him and his family off his property. King said residents in the area do not want the mines, especially since previous contamination has yet to be cleaned.

“To stay away from Indian country, to stay away from our lands, the Navajo Nation does have a tribal law banning uranium mining,” said King.

Eric Jantz, legal director for the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, has been involved in protecting residents affected by uranium mining. He went before lawmakers on Friday to share those concerns.

“So uranium waste from mines has been linked to not only cancer, lung cancer, which everybody’s familiar with, but also things like hypertension, autoimmune disease, heart disease, and birth defects,” said Jantz.

Jantz said the ban on state land is a win, but it does not block mines on federal or private land. He said his organization wants to ensure those mines do not pose a threat.

“So, you know, if it has to happen, it should be done right. The communities we work with, though, are very clear about their desire not to have uranium mining in their communities,” said Jantz.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Roca Honda Mine project near Grants, New Mexico. The department has opened a 30-day public comment period on the proposed action.