uranium mining
Credit: Ralph Earlandson/Flickr
A uranium mine threatens the Havasupai Tribe's sole water source
A uranium mine near the Grand Canyon risks contaminating the Havasupai Tribe’s only water source, sparking fears for their health and safety.
In short:
- The Pinyon Plain Mine, located near the Grand Canyon, sits atop an aquifer that provides the Havasupai Tribe's only drinking water.
- A new study challenges the safety assessments of the mine, suggesting the rock layers could allow uranium to contaminate the tribe's water.
- The Havasupai Tribe and environmentalists are fighting the mine, fearing irreversible damage to their sacred land and water supply.
Key quote:
“Once it goes into our village, we will get sick. I question to these mining people: ‘Are you going to take accountability to pay for my people’s hospitalizations?’”
— Dianna Sue White Dove Uqualla, Havasupai elder
Why this matters:
The potential contamination of the Havasupai’s water source exemplifies the dilemma we face over prioritizing resource extraction in the face of growing environmental pressures. If the lifeblood of the Havasupai is tainted, it would be a blow not only to their survival but to the integrity of the Grand Canyon itself. Read more: Protecting Indigenous children means protecting water.
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Credit: Tatenda Mapigoti/Unsplash
Activists demand halt to uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Environmentalists and tribal members are urging Arizona officials to end uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, citing health and environmental risks.
In short:
- Activists delivered a petition with over 17,500 signatures to Governor Katie Hobbs, calling for the closure of the Pinyon Plain Mine.
- Uranium mining poses significant health risks and threatens water sources critical to the Grand Canyon's ecosystem and local communities.
- The governor’s office acknowledged receipt but has yet to take action on the petition.
Key quote:
“The safe thing to do, the prudent thing to do, is to avoid that risk altogether and close the mine.”
— Taylor McKinnon, director of the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
The Grand Canyon has long been a battleground for conservation efforts. Uranium mining, with its potential to contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems, adds a new layer of urgency to these efforts. The Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestral lands lie within the Grand Canyon, has been vocal about the threats posed to their health and way of life. Contaminated water sources could have devastating effects on both human populations and the diverse wildlife that call the canyon home.
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Newsletter
Credit: Dominik Vanyi/Unsplash
US shifts to domestic uranium production amid geopolitical tensions
The Biden administration has enacted a law ending uranium imports from Russia to bolster local production and strengthen the U.S. nuclear energy sector.
In short:
- President Biden's new law not only prohibits Russian uranium imports but also allocates $2.7 billion to support U.S. uranium mining and processing.
- Domestic efforts include reopening mines in Arizona and Utah, despite ongoing environmental and tribal concerns.
- Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm emphasized the importance of self-reliance in nuclear fuel supply for America's clean energy future.
Key quote:
"Our nation’s clean energy future will not rely on Russian imports. We are making investments to build out a secure nuclear fuel supply chain here in the United States."
— Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy
Why this matters:
Increasing domestic uranium production could lead to mixed outcomes. On the positive side, bolstering local production of uranium reduces reliance on foreign resources, which can enhance national security and reduce vulnerabilities associated with geopolitical tensions. However, uranium mining and milling are resource-intensive processes that pose potential risks to local ecosystems and water sources. The extraction process can generate large amounts of waste rock and tailings, which may contain hazardous substances like radium and arsenic. These can contaminate groundwater and surface water if not properly managed.
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Credit: jbdodane/Flickr
New dashboard reveals uranium mine risks in New Mexico
A new online dashboard launched by New Mexico helps locals and officials understand the dangers of closed uranium mines and mills, highlighting ongoing health and environmental risks.
In short:
- New Mexico's history with uranium mining, crucial for its nuclear program, has left numerous abandoned sites posing ongoing risks.
- The interactive dashboard provides detailed information on these sites, including locations, historical operators, and regulatory actions.
- Aimed at a wide audience, the tool aims to simplify access to information and raise awareness about the legacy of uranium mining in the state.
Key quote:
"We want to make the information on former uranium mining sites in New Mexico as easy as possible to access."
— Miori Harms, uranium mining reclamation coordinator.
Why this matters:
This dashboard not only educates but also connects a local issue to broader national concerns about environmental remediation and public health.
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Photo by Omer Nezih Gerek on Unsplash
One of first US uranium mines opens near Grand Canyon after eight years
The opening of the Pinyon Plain mine comes as the US seeks to boost domestic production of the mineral needed for nuclear energy and accelerate divesting from fossil fuels.
Credit: Martina Janochová/Pixabay
New uranium mines spark controversy in Arizona and Utah
In a contentious move, uranium mining resumes near Grand Canyon amid environmental concerns.
In short:
- Three uranium mines have started operations along the Arizona-Utah border, marking the first in the U.S. in eight years, driven by rising uranium prices and a global shift toward nuclear energy.
- The mines face strong opposition from tribes and environmentalists, concerned about long-term impacts on water quality, health, and culturally sensitive lands.
- Despite market demand, experts question the viability of nuclear energy in the clean energy transition, citing high costs and limited processing facilities in the U.S.
Key quote:
"The Pinyon Plain Mine impacts cultural resources. It impacts water resources. And it impacts one of the wonders of the world. It’s just a place that seems common sense that you wouldn’t want to put a uranium mine, yet here we are."
— Amber Reimondo, energy director with the Grand Canyon Trust
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.
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Photo by Rebekah Dummer on Unsplash
First uranium mines to dig in the US in eight years begin operations near Grand Canyon
The push for more nuclear energy and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has spiked uranium prices, leading mines for the element to begin operating again in the U.S. despite long-term environmental and health impacts.
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