New Mexico bans new uranium mines on state land
New Mexico’s State Land Commissioner has banned new uranium mines on state land, announcing the move last week as interest in uranium mining grows in the state. The ban does not affect federal or private land, where mining proposals remain under consideration.
Larry King, a Navajo resident of Church Rock about 12 miles northeast of Gallup, has lived in the area his entire life. He recalls the 1979 Church Rock uranium mill spill, which released more than 93 million gallons of radioactive waste into the Rio Puerco. That 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,” King said.
King said a uranium mine proposed by Laramide Resources would be about 1,000 miles from his home. He said if the mine is approved, it would force him and his family off his property. “To stay away from Indian country, to stay away from our lands, the Navajo Nation does have a tribal law banning uranium mining,” King said.
Eric Jantz, legal director for the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, went before lawmakers Friday to share concerns from residents affected by uranium mining. “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,” Jantz said.
There are currently no active uranium mines in the state, though interest in creating more has increased. Jantz said the state land ban is a win but does not completely block mines on federal or private land. “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,” Jantz said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Roca Honda Mine project near Grants. The department has opened a 30-day public comment period on the proposed action.
