Communities on the Navajo Nation are raising concerns over the transport of uranium ore across their land, as no uranium-specific emergency response plan exists despite past contamination and health impacts from mining.
Shondiin Silversmith reports for Arizona Mirror.
In short:
- Energy Fuels, Inc. will resume uranium ore shipments in February, hauling material from the Pinyon Plain Mine through the Navajo Nation to a Utah mill.
- The Navajo Nation lacks a uranium-specific emergency response plan, though officials are working to update general protocols last revised in 2017.
- If an accident occurs, response responsibility falls on the trucking company and state agencies, with local authorities providing initial support.
Key quote:
“We understand the concerns of the public, and there is a lot of education that needs to be done about the substance being transported.”
— Michael Henderson, Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety
Why this matters:
The legacy of uranium mining in Navajo communities is a stark reminder of the environmental and health toll extractive industries can take, especially when proper safeguards are neglected. For decades during the mid-20th century, uranium was mined across the Navajo Nation, with little regard for the health of workers or the environmental impacts. Abandoned mines have left radioactive waste and contaminated water sources, leading to widespread health problems among residents, including cancer and kidney disease. Despite some cleanup efforts, the scars of this history remain deeply felt, and many areas are still unsafe.
