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U.S. President designates new national monument to protect Grand Canyon region: [U.S. President] Joe Biden designated the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument Tuesday (Aug. 8) in Arizona, preventing mining on almost one million acres of uranium-rich land. (National Review Aug. 8, 2023)
Tribes propose new national monument to protect Grand Canyon region:
Tribal leaders, elected officials, and others on Tuesday (Apr. 11) called on President Joe Biden to designate 1.1 million acres adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park as a national monument.
> See also info on the temporary Uranium exploration / mining ban at the Grand Canyon
Bill for permanent uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon passes House committee:
A bill to halt new uranium mining claims near the Grand Canyon cleared a key committee vote Wednesday (July 17) and is heading to the floor for a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Tribal leaders, lawmakers push bill for permanent mining ban near Grand Canyon:
Tribal and environmental officials urged House lawmakers Wednesday (June 5) to protect sacred land and natural resources by supporting a permanent ban on mining on just over 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon.
The "Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act" would prohibit all mining in the affected area, but supporters were focused on the uranium mining that has a troubled history on tribal lands.
Coconino County Board affirms support for permanent uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon:
During an April 2 work session, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors issued a resolution in support of a permanent ban on uranium mining around the Grand Canyon and its watershed.
(Williams News Apr. 16, 2019)
Flagstaff City Council affirms support for permanent uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon:
The Flagstaff City Council has again affirmed its opposition to uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. Members passed a resolution last week supporting a federal bill to permanently ban new claims on a million acres.
CERTIORARI DENIED
Washington County (Utah) officials agreed Tuesday (May 1) to join a lawsuit against the federal government's decision banning new uranium mining on Arizona Strip public land.
The County Commission unanimously approved the resolution to join the Mohave County, Ariz., lawsuit.
Washington County Commissioner Jim Eardley said Garfield County, Kane County and San Juan County also have said they will join the lawsuit.
(The Spectrum May 2, 2012)
The San Juan County (Utah) Commission unanimously adopted a resolution to participate as a joint plaintiff in a lawsuit being brought against the federal government due to their attempt to close the Arizona Strip to multiple use and uranium removal.
(San Juan Record May 9, 2012)
> View BLM release Mar. 8 2010
> View USGS release Feb. 18, 2010
On March 11, 2009, the Kaibab National Forest issued the following advisory:
The Hualapai Tribal Council has voted to ban uranium mining on its Tribal lands which are located near the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
(Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd. Dec. 1, 2008)
Federal Register: October 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 198) p. 60233-60234 (download full text
On Aug. 10, 2010, the Forest Service gave notice that preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement has been put on hold, as VANE Minerals, Inc. has withdrawn their Plan of Operation (PoO). Further work on the analysis will be suspended until VANE
Minerals, Inc. resubmits their PoO, which is expected to occur in the
summer of 2011.
> The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, and Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources: Joint Subcommittee Oversight Field Hearing on "Community Impacts of Proposed Uranium Mining Near Grand Canyon National Park", March 28, 2008
Employees working for Denison Mines began removing high-grade ore at the Arizona 1 mine north of the Grand Canyon in late December [2009], according to the company's president, and trucking it to a mill near Blanding, Utah.
The mine is about 45 miles southwest of Fredonia in Mohave County, and about 10 miles from the boundary for Grand Canyon National Park.
(Arizona Daily Sun Jan. 13, 2010)
On Nov. 10, 2009, Denison Mines Corp. announced that it has made a production decision for its Arizona 1 uranium deposit located in north central Arizona.
Environmental groups have given notice that they'll sue the federal Bureau of Land Management over its decision to allow a uranium mine to reopen near the Grand Canyon.
The BLM says Denison has an approved mine plan and should be allowed to resume operations after closing the site about 20 years ago.
But the Center for Biological Diversity, the Grand Canyon Trust and the Sierra Club argue that the BLM is relying on an old environmental analysis and isn't considering potential impacts on endangered species.
(AP Sep. 8, 2009)
On Sep. 1, 2009, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued an air-quality permit to Denison Mines for the Arizona 1 mine. Denison Mines now has all the necessary environmental permits to begin operations.
On June 19, 2009, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a public notice opening the public comment period on the Air Quality Permit No. 46700 for Denison Mines Corp.'s Arizona I mine.
Comment period ends July 22, 2009.
Denison Mines Corp. is planning on restarting operations at Arizona 1 in 2007 to complete the shaft and begin mining in 2008. (Denison March 20, 2007)
Positive economics reported for Anderson uranium mine / heap leach project, provided uranium price doubles:
On Sep. 16, 2014, Uranium Energy Corp. announced a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on its Anderson uranium mine project in Arizona, based on uranium prices in the range of $60 to $65 per pound.
On May 6, 2011, Uranium Energy Corp and Concentric Energy Corp. announced that their respective boards of directors have approved a stock-for-stock merger to be effected under the laws of Nevada, and that the companies have signed a definitive Merger Agreement & Plan of Merger. Upon completion of the Merger, it is anticipated that approximately 1,253,440 shares of UEC common stock will be issued to the former Concentric stockholders to acquire Concentric and its undivided 100% interest in the Anderson Property, a 5,785-acre mineral claim block located in Yavapai County, Arizona, with a previous history of small-scale uranium production.
On March 3, 2009, Concentric Energy Corporation resubmitted its letter of intent to submit an application to the NRC to construct and operate a uranium recovery facility in Yavapai County, AZ. The expected timeframe for the submittal of the application is the third quarter of 2010.
On March 20, 2008, Concentric Energy Corporation provided notice to the NRC that it intends to submit an application to construct and operate a uranium recovery facility in Yavapai County, AZ.
On August 9, 2007, NRC is holding a teleconference to discuss regulatory issues related to a potential conventional uranium mill near the Anderson Mine in Western Arizona.
Anderson Mining Company of Wickenburg, AZ, is proposing a conventional uranium mill near the Anderson Mine in Western Arizona. On July 17, 2007, NRC is holding a teleconference to discuss related regulatory issues.
Concentric Energy Corp. is planning to develop the Anderson mine and build a uranium mill on site.
A pre-licensing meeting was held by the NRC on June 6, 2006.
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Production starts at Pinyon Plain/Canyon uranium mine:
On Dec. 21, 2023, Energy Fuels Inc. announced that, in response to strong uranium market conditions, it has commenced uranium production at its Pinyon Plain/Canyon mine. Ore mined from the mine during 2024 will be stockpiled at the Company's White Mesa Mill in Utah for processing in 2025.
Energy Fuels reports positive Pre-Feasibility Study on mining of Pinyon Plain/Canyon mine:
Energy Fuels plans to operate the underground mine at a rate of up to 292 short tons per day (stpd) of ore, averaging 143 stpd of ore. The mine life extends for a total of 28 months. The life of mine plan includes mining 134,500 short tons of ore grading 0.58% U3O8, yielding 1.57 million pounds (Mlb) of U3O8 [604 t U].
Havasupai Tribe opposes start of Pinyon Plain/Canyon Mine:
Mining activity near the Grand Canyon National Park has recently been reported fewer than 10 miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, said the Havasupai Tribe in a statement today.
The Havasupai Tribe has been opposed to any mining activity near the Grand Canyon, where the Tribe is located, for decades.
Appeals Court upholds approval for Canyon uranium mine:
On Feb. 22, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment of the District Court for Arizona that Energy Fuels Resources (USA) held a valid existing right to operate the Canyon Mine.
State environmental regulator issues water protection permit for the renamed Canyon mine - opposed by tribe and environmentalists:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality said it intends to issue a new aquifer protection permit to operate a controversial uranium mine near the Grand Canyon.
On Apr. 28, 2022, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced that it has issued the requested Individual Aquifer Protection Program (APP) Permit for the Pinyon Plain Mine.
Conservation groups slammed Arizona's environmental agency on Friday (Apr. 29) for approving a uranium mine’s discharge permit -- a move they claim could threaten groundwater resources at the nearby Grand Canyon National Park.
Energy Fuels moves Canyon Mine away from Grand Canyon - just by name change:
Apparently in view of President-elect Joe Biden's support for keeping the uranium mining ban around the Grand Canyon, Energy Fuels renamed its Canyon Mine to Pinyon Plain Mine. (Dec. 2, 2020)
State environmental regulators will require Energy Fuels Resources to apply for more stringent water protection permit for Canyon mine:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has mandated Energy Fuels Resources seek an individual aquifer protection permit. It'll consolidate other permits and data and focus on a storage pond used for groundwater that in recent years has flooded the mineshaft. Officials say heightened regulation of the facility will likely be part of the framework and they're acting out of an abundance of caution.
(KNAU Aug. 21, 2020)
U.S. District Court upholds approval for Canyon uranium mine:
A federal judge has ruled against environmental groups and a tribe in their bid to keep a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon from operating.
The Canyon Mine near the national park's South Rim entrance has been on standby for nearly 20 years. The company that owns it, Energy Fuels Resources, is waiting for uranium prices to rebound before opening it.
Canyon mine uses polluted water to control dust:
Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is allowing a uranium mine operator to spray water laced with uranium and arsenic on the ground to keep dust down on its site, but it is considering the status of the mine's permit.
Groups call for closure of Canyon mine due to groundwater pollution hazard resulting from ongoing flooding:
Conservation groups called on Arizona officials today to close a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim, citing severe and ongoing flooding that threatens to pollute deep aquifers that feed the canyon's springs. Original mine approvals dismissed flooding as a "remote" possibility.
U.S. Supreme Court denies review for Canyon uranium mine near Grand Canyon:
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday (May 20) declined to consider a Native American tribe's argument that the U.S. Forest Service was required under the National Historic Preservation Act to conduct additional reviews for a uranium mining project near the Grand Canyon. (Law360 May 20, 2019)
U.S. appeals court allows challenge of uranium mining at Canyon mine near Grand Canyon in partial reversal of earlier decision:
A federal appeals court said Thursday (Oct. 25) that the Havasupai tribe and environmental advocates can challenge an existing uranium mine on land near the Grand Canyon where mining was recently banned.
U.S. appeals court allows uranium mining at Canyon mine near Grand Canyon:
A U.S. federal appeals court on Tuesday (Dec. 12) upheld a lower-court ruling keeping a ban on uranium mining around the Grand Canyon, but also upheld a separate decision allowing a uranium mine nearby to open.
City Council passes resolution opposing uranium ore transportation from Canyon mine through Flagstaff:
The Flagstaff City Council has passed an ordinance opposing the transportation of uranium from a mine near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Officials worry the planned 10 truckloads per day that'll travel through the area represent a threat to public health.
Group opposes plan to haul uranium ore from Canyon mine through Flagstaff:
Haul No
Arizona Dept. of Water Resources does not take action against Energy Fuels for transporting contaminated mine water from Canyon mine (Arizona) to White Mesa mill (Utah) without proper approval:
Alerted by a complaint from Uranium Watch
Havasupai Tribe holds protest gathering against ore transport from Canyon uranium mine (Arizona) to White Mesa Mill (Utah):
The Havasupai Tribe organized a protest camp at Red Butte to oppose uranium mining near the mountain, which is sacred to the tribe. Protesters marched to the Canyon Uranium Mine on Friday morning (June 23) as part of the four-day gathering.
(Arizona Daily Sun, June 24, 2017)
'Unexpected influx of water' at Canyon uranium mine:
An unexpected influx of water at a uranium mine near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has forced the mine owner to bring in evaporation devices and large water hauling trucks to keep onsite holding ponds from overflowing.
Havasupai Tribe's lawsuit against groundwater pumping by Canyon uranium mine and others:
Havasupai Tribe needs Federal Government to join its lawsuit against groundwater pumping by Canyon uranium mine and others, judge rules:
A federal judge Tuesday (Apr. 18) gave the Havasupai, the only tribe that lives in the Grand Canyon, 90 days to persuade the federal government to join its lawsuit against a city, a water company and others that pump groundwater from the Coconino Plateau.
Havasupai Tribe files lawsuit to stop groundwater pumping by Canyon uranium mine and others:
The Havasupai Tribe is seeking to halt groundwater pumping on the Coconino Plateau that it says threatens the creek, seeps and springs upon which the tribe depends for its water.
In a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Arizona
ADEQ issues Air Permit for Canyon Mine:
On Oct. 13, 2016, ADEQ issued Air Quality Permit No. 62877 to Energy Fuels Resources (USA, Inc. for the Canyon uranium mine.
ADEQ invites comment on revised draft Air Permit for Canyon Mine:
ADEQ issues revised draft Air Permit for Canyon Mine:
USGS presents assessment of baseline conditions at site of proposed Canyon uranium mine:
Scientists have collected and analyzed 84 environmental samples to establish baseline data prior to any active uranium mining activities at the Canyon Uranium Mine, located south of Grand Canyon National Park. This baseline information will play an important role in assessing if contaminants escape from the mine site and how they would move through the environment once mining operations begin.
ADEQ proposes to issue Air Quality Control Renewal Permit for Canyon mine:
Northern Arizona 'Zombie Mine' Petition calls for reform of uranium mining regulations on public lands:
Judge upholds operation plan for Canyon Mine:
A federal judge has ruled against environmentalists in their fight to halt a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon that they say will harm people, water and wildlife in the region.
The lawsuit filed in 2013 alleged that the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law in allowing the Canyon Mine to move forward and didn't adequately consult with the Havasupai Tribe over a sacred site near Tusayan.
A coalition of conservation groups announced Thursday (Apr. 30) that it's appealing a court decision that opens the door to new uranium mining 6 miles from Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim.
(Arizona Daily Sun Apr. 30, 2015)
Energy Fuels Inc. to restart mining at Canyon mine:
On Feb. 6, 2015, Energy Fuels Inc. announced that preparations have begun to restart active mining operations at the Canyon mine, a "high-grade" 'breccia pipe' uranium mine located in northern Arizona, USA.
The Company expects to begin to transition mining personnel from its currently-producing Pinenut mine to the Canyon mine during the 2nd quarter of 2015, at which point the Company expects the economic resources at the Pinenut mine to be depleted.
Shaft-sinking at Canyon mine placed on standby:
On Nov. 5, 2013, Energy Fuels Inc. agreed to temporarily place shaft-sinking operations at its Canyon mine in Arizona on standby "due to market conditions, and to simplify and lessen the expense of current litigation at the mine".
Havasupai tribe, conservation groups challenge uranium mine threatening Grand Canyon:
The Havasupai tribe and three conservation groups today sued the U.S. Forest Service over its decision to allow Energy Fuels Resources, Inc. to begin operating a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park without initiating or completing formal tribal consultations and without updating an outdated 1986 federal environmental review. The Canyon Mine threatens cultural values, wildlife and endangered species and increases the risk of soil pollution and pollution and depletion of groundwater feeding springs and wells in and near Grand Canyon. The lawsuit alleges violations of environmental, mining, public land and historic preservation laws.
(Center for Biological Diversity Mar. 7, 2013)
Forest Service approves Grand Canyon uranium mine despite 26-year-old environmental review:
The U.S. Forest Service announced late Monday (June 25) that it will allow Denison Mines Corp. to begin excavating the "Canyon Mine" this fall without first updating the 26-year-old environmental impact statement for the uranium mine, located due south of Grand Canyon National Park on the Kaibab National Forest. The Service claims no new public review or analysis is needed because there is no new information or circumstances relevant to its original analysis.
The state Department of Environmental Quality approved an air quality permit for Denison's Canyon mine this week.
(Arizona Republic Mar. 11, 2011)
On Nov. 12, 2010, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality started the public comment period for the proposed air quality permit for the Canyon mine. Comment period ends January 14, 2011.
On Sept. 1, 2009, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued a Discharge Authorization for the 3.04 General Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) 100333 for the Canyon Mine to Denison Mines (USA) Corp.
On June 19, 2009, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a public notice opening the public comment period on the Water Quality General Aquifer Protection Permit for Denison Mines Corp.'s Canyon mine.
Comment period ends July 22, 2009.
Denison Mines has been denied a state permit for the Canyon mine:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
ADEQ issues Air Permit for EZ Mine:
On Oct. 13, 2016, ADEQ issued Air Quality Permit No. 62878 to Energy Fuels Resources (USA, Inc. for the EZ uranium mine.
ADEQ invites comment on revised draft Air Permit for EZ Mine:
ADEQ issues revised draft Air Permit for EZ Mine:
ADEQ proposes to issue Air Quality Control Renewal Permit for EZ mine:
Designation of critical habitat for endangered cacti, possibly impacting EZ uranium mine:
Comment invited on designation of critical habitat for endangered cacti: Submit comments by December 3, 2012.
The comment period was reopened. Submit comments by April 29, 2013.
The comment period was reopened. Submit comments by July 23, 2013.
The state Department of Environmental Quality approved air quality permits for Denison's EZ, Pinenut and Canyon mines this week. It also granted an aquifer protection permit for the EZ Mine.
(Arizona Republic Mar. 11, 2011)
On Nov. 12, 2010, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality started the public comment period for the proposed Air Quality Permit and Aquifer Protection Permit for the EZ mine. Comment period ends January 14, 2011.
Navajo Nation blocks access to Wate uranium mine project site:
"Following the disposal of the Group's 50% interest in the Wate project in early 2015, Energy Fuels Resources (“EFR”) has to-date paid the Group US$300,000 in consideration. A further US$250,000 tranche of consideration was due to be paid to the Group in the first quarter of this year. The Group was informed by EFR that it is having delays with the State of Arizona over obtaining the Mineral Lease on the project due to the State requiring EFR to obtain access rights to the project over private land that surrounds the State parcel, which is presently being denied by the Navajo. Consequently, EFR proposed an addendum to the agreement terms whereby they would pay US$50,000 of the US$250,000 due in quarter one 2016 and defer the rest of the payment until the commencement of commercial production. Rose felt that it was in the best interests of the Company's shareholders to accept the US$50,000 and to agree to the addendum to the original contract. EFR is actively engaged in securing access to, as well as the environmental permitting, on the project."
(Rose Petroleum Apr. 27, 2016)
Navajo Nation plans to block access for uranium transport at Wate mine project:
A uranium mining company seeking a mineral lease on state land in northwestern Arizona could have a hard time transporting the ore off site.
That's because the land is surrounded by the Navajo Nation's Big Boquillas Ranch.
Officials from the tribe's Department of Justice say they won't grant Wate Mining Company LLC permission to drive commercial trucks filled with chunks of uranium ore across Navajo land.
(Daily Journal May 27, 2013)
The monument would include areas in the Kaibab National Forest to the south of the canyon, as well as an area to the northwest along the Mohave-Coconino county line, and to the northeast adjacent to the Kaibab forest.
Part of the designation would make a 20-year mining moratorium, established in 2008, permanent and prohibit new uranium mining in the area.
(Arizona Republic Apr. 11, 2023)
Conservation Kölsch beer to maintain public awareness of uranium mining issue in the Grand Canyon area
The topic of uranium mining in northern Arizona is sensitive, often pitting Native tribes, conservationists and local residents against business and industry interests in what can become intense conversations.
But a local craft brewery and a coalition of sportmen's groups are looking to change that narrative, inviting the public across Arizona to stop in, have a beer and talk about the issue in a more casual environment. Trout Unlimited 
, the Arizona Wildlife Federation and Grand Canyon Brewery teamed up to roll out Conservation Kölsch Sept. 28 in Williams.
(Grand Canyon News Oct. 2, 2018)
> See also: Protect Your Canyon
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon rated America's Most Endangered River
"Millions of Americans recognize the Grand Canyon as one of the most iconic landscapes on the planet. But this natural masterpiece of the Colorado River faces a battery of threats.
A proposed industrial-scale construction project in the wild heart of the canyon, radioactive pollution from uranium mining, and a proposed expansion of groundwater pumping at Tusayan, all threaten the Grand Canyon's wild nature and unique experience that belongs to every American.
Unless the Department of the Interior acts to stop these threats, one of our nation's greatest natural treasures will be scarred forever."
> View America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2015 (American Rivers)
> Download full report (3.1MB PDF)
Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument proposal
President Obama will not declare Grand Canyon National Heritage Monument
Rep. Raul Grijalva announced in a written statement today that he has received word from the White House that President Barack Obama does not plan to designate the Greater Grand Canyon National Heritage Monument in the few days he has left in office.
"I can only express my profound disappointment," Grijalva wrote. "The Grand Canyon is one of the world's most iconic and popular natural places, not just for its beauty but for its importance to tribal culture and history."
The proposed 1.7-million-acre monument would have permanently protected the fragile ecosystem of the Grand Canyon watershed from uranium mining and some old-growth logging, and given the five local tribes in the area greater control over managing the area.
(Phoenix New Times Jan. 6, 2017)
More than half a million signatures gathered for permanent protection of Grand Canyon area from uranium mining
Proponents of the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument have delivered more than 550,000 petition signatures and comments to the White House. They hope President Obama will set aside 1.7 million acres of public land near the national park before leaving office next year.
(KNAU Arizona Public Radio July 7, 2016)
Billionaire businessmen funding opposition against permanent protection of Grand Canyon area from uranium mining
A string of dark-money organizations with ties to the billionaire Koch brothers is helping Arizona politicians and special-interest groups fight the popular Grand Canyon National Heritage Monument proposal, tax documents show.
The money trail begins with a conservative political advocacy organization funded in part by Charles and David Koch and their vast donor network, and ends with a coordinated ground campaign intended to undermine public support for the monument.
The proposed monument, which would grant federal protection to 1.7 million acres of land in the Grand Canyon watershed and permanently ban uranium mining in the area, is supported by environmental organizations, native tribes, and the public - 80 percent of the public, to be precise. Yet a handful of powerful Republican politicians and industry groups are hellbent on killing it, and they're apparently using money from the Koch brothers' donor network to do so.
(Phoenix New Times Apr. 18, 2016)
Legislation for permanent protection of Grand Canyon area from uranium mining introduced in U.S. Congress
Uranium mining would be banned permanently and other protections would go into place on 1.7 million acres around the Grand Canyon under legislation proposed Monday by U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva .
The Southern Arizona Democrat proposed the legislation Monday (Oct. 12) and gained support from 11 Native American tribes, including the Havasupai tribe, which lives at the bottom of the canyon.
Energy Fuels, a uranium mining company, has revealed plans to reopen an old mine and extract uranium on Red Butte, what the Havasupai consider sacred.
What Grijalva calls the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument Act would preserve and restore sacred lands, the watershed and the environment surrounding Grand Canyon National Park on 1.7 million acres that already are government owned.
(Arizona Public Media Oct. 13, 2015)
> Download Bill text (81k PDF)
The bill was introduced on Nov. 3, 2015.
> View H.R. 3882 Bill Summary and Status
Arizona congressional leaders calling for permanent protection of the area north and south of the Grand Canyon by National Monument designation
The Grand Canyon Watershed Coalition today praised actions by Arizona congressional leaders calling for permanent protection of the area north and south of the Grand Canyon. In a letter to President Obama, representatives Raul Grijalva, Ann Kirkpatrick and Ruben Gallego stressed the natural and economic importance of the watershed and the serious threats it faces from uranium mining and logging.
"Designation of the Grand Canyon Watershed as a new national monument would provide a significant priority wildlife corridor connection with adjacent corridors in the 5,000-mile-long Western Wildway," said Kim Vacariu of the Wildlands Network.
National monument designation would also permanently protect the area and its waters from additional damaging uranium mining. In an area where communities are already living with the toxic legacy of uranium mining, the health effects, water contamination and expensive cleanup accompanying plans for new mines cannot be ignored.
(Center for Biological Diversity Jan. 30, 2015)
Liberty Star breccia pipes mine project in northern Arizona
Liberty Star Uranium and Metals Corporation is investigating the potential of mining and milling uranium from breccia pipes in northern Arizona.
Breccia pipes are thought to have formed at the intersections of fractures, where hydrothermal solutions forced their way, sometimes explosively, toward the surface. Some breccia pipes are very clearly the result of solution collapse of limestone or other soluble rock types, and may not have any connection with hydrothermal systems.
Liberty Star intends to mine in a manner that causes minimal land disturbances, and operations would be camouflaged so visual impacts are minimized. A mill would be established reasonably close to the pipes, and tailings from the site would be entombed in the breccia pipes as they are being mined. Liberty Star believes that entombing the tailings would cause minimal environmental impacts because they would be isolated from weather, and groundwater occurs 1500 feet below the bottom of the mine zone.
(NRC June 9, 2008: Meeting Report, Liberty Star Uranium and Metals Corporation, April 28, 2008, ADAMS Acc. No. ML081570272 ) [emphasis added]
Uranium exploration / mining ban at the Grand Canyon
Senate Subcommittee hears testimony on proposed Grand Canyon Protection Act
On June 7, 2022, the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining will hear testimony on S. 387, the Grand Canyon Protection Act.2.
> View: Senate Bill S.387 (117th Congress)
House of Representatives approves bill to permanently ban mining around Grand Canyon
The House voted Friday (Feb. 26) to permanently ban new mining claims on more than 1 million acres around Grand Canyon National Park, with supporters calling protection of the landmark canyon a "moral issue."
The bill would make permanent a current mining moratorium that is scheduled to run through 2032. Supporters said a permanent ban is needed because the Grand Canyon is too valuable to risk possible damage from future mining.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where its fate is unclear.
(Cronkite News Feb. 26, 2021)
> View: House Bill H.803 (117th Congress) , introduced Feb. 4, 2021
Grand Canyon uranium mining ban reintroduced in Congress
Arizona Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva has reintroduced a bill that would ban uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. It's the latest attempt to make permanent an Obama-era moratorium.
Rep. Grijalva and 16 other Democrats introduced the Grand Canyon Protection Act Monday (Feb. 15) in the U.S. House of Representatives. It's similar to other attempts to withdraw more than a million acres adjacent to the national park from future uranium mining while leaving existing claims intact.
(KNAU Feb. 18, 2021)
Presidential candidate Joe Biden opposes uranium mining around Grand Canyon
Former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Friday (Aug. 7) he opposed uranium mining around the Grand Canyon.
"The Grand Canyon is first among the landmarks of our nation -- holy to the Tribes who preserve it and call it home, and sacred to all Americans," said the statement, released Friday afternoon to The Arizona Republic. "This national treasure attracts millions of visitors each year, supporting thousands of jobs for Arizonans and contributing more than $1 billion to the state economy."
(Arizona Republic Aug. 7, 2020)
Bill S. 3127 'Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act' providing for permanent uranium mining ban at the Grand Canyon
Bill for permanent uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon introduced in U.S. Senate:
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) yesterday (Dec. 19) introduced the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act. The bill will make permanent a ban on new uranium mining on about 1 million acres of public land adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park.
A companion bill [H.R. 1373] has already passed the House with bipartisan support, following an effort led by tribal members and leaders, particularly the Havasupai Tribe with the support of the Hualapai, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, National Congress of American Indians and Intertribal Council of Arizona. A broad coalition of business owners, local government leaders, conservation groups and others who oppose uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region also endorsed the House bill. (CBD Dec. 20, 2019)
> View: Senate Bill S. 3127 (116th Congress) , introduced Dec. 19, 2019
Bill H.R. 1373 'Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act' providing for permanent uranium mining ban at the Grand Canyon
House of Representatives passes bill for permanent uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon:
The U.S. House voted today to approve a bill that would prohibit new uranium mines on about 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon, making permanent a ban put in place in 2012. The vote of 236-185 was nearly all along party lines.
The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where its prospects are uncertain.
(Arizona Republic Oct. 30, 2019)
If passed, HR1373, also known as the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, would make permanent a moratorium on new uranium claims across 1 million acres of federal lands.
(Arizona Republic July 17, 2019)
"Uranium mining has already poisoned and will continue to poison the springs and waters of my Grand Canyon home," said Havasupai Councilwoman Carletta Tilousi at a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing. "It will be poisoning the land, the plants, the animals and the people that live there, including all the visitors that come to visit the Grand Canyon."
But critics attacked those claims as "scare tactics." Uranium mining poses no more threat than the area's naturally occurring uranium, they said, and the "ill-conceived" and "misguided" bill would cost the region billions in potential economic activity.
(Cronkite News June 5, 2019)
> View: National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee Legislative Hearing, June 5, 2019
The nonbinding resolution cites the decades-long history of environmental impacts as well as health problems among local tribes attributed to uranium mining. It supports the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act introduced last month in the U.S. House by Tucson Democrat Raul Grijalva.
(KNAU Mar. 26, 2019)
> View: House Bill H.R. 1373 (116th Congress) , introduced Feb. 26, 2019
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear industry challenge to Grand Canyon uranium mining ban
The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to hear the mining industry's challenge to the 20-year ban on new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.
The National Mining Association and the American Exploration and Mining Association claimed the Interior Department's ban is based on an unconstitutional provision of federal law. Today's decision means that the Supreme Court will not review December's appeals court decision that rejected industry arguments and upheld the ban.
(Center for Biological Diversity Oct. 1, 2018)
17-1286 NATIONAL MINING ASSN. V. ZINKE, SEC. OF INTERIOR, ET AL.
17-1290 AM. EXPLORATION & MIN. ASSN. V. ZINKE, SEC. OF INTERIOR, ET AL.
> Download: Order List Oct. 1, 2018 (U.S. Supreme Court - 343kB PDF)
Short film documents hazard to Havasupai water supply from uranium mining
Too Precious to Mine by Grand Canyon Trust
> View: Grand Canyon Trust release, June 12, 2018
Group releases updated report on negative impacts of proposed uranium mining near Grand Canyon
> Download: Grand Canyon at Risk - Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure , Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center, June 6, 2018
U.S. mining industry seeks reversal of uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon
The U.S. mining industry asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday (Mar. 9) to overturn an Obama-era rule that prohibits the mining of uranium on public lands adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park.
The National Mining Association (NMA) and the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) filed petitions asking the court to reverse the Obama administration's 2012 ban on new uranium mining claims on more than 1 million acres of public land adjacent to the canyon.
(Reuters Mar. 10, 2018)
U.S. appeals court upholds Grand Canyon uranium mining ban
A U.S. federal appeals court on Tuesday (Dec. 12) upheld a lower-court ruling keeping a ban on uranium mining around the Grand Canyon, but also upheld a separate decision allowing a uranium mine nearby to open.
The decisions by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, related to cases argued last December, come as Congress and the Trump administration seek to expand mineral extraction on public lands.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture last month proposed lifting the Obama-era mining ban on land near Grand Canyon National Park, an area of natural beauty in the western United States that also historically served a number of uranium mines.
The National Mining Association had sought to upend the 20-year moratorium on new uranium mines near the Grand Canyon, which was put in place in 2012 by President Barack Obama's administration. But the court ruled that the ban should stay in place.
"Withdrawal of the area from new mining claims for a limited period will permit more careful, longer-term study of the uncertain effects of uranium mining in the area and better-informed decision making in the future," the court ruling said.
(Reuters Dec. 12, 2017)
> View Center for Biological Diversity release Dec. 12, 2017
> Download court decision: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: National Mining Association v. Zinke, Case: 14-17350 , Dec. 12, 2017 (284kB PDF)
Trump administration wants to roll back uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon
The Trump administration wants to roll back a 20-year ban to allow uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, according to a Forest Service report formally released today.
Under today's recommendations the Interior Department would revise an Obama-era mining ban that sought to protect tribal resources and drinking water, as well as safeguard critical wildlife corridors and habitat threatened by uranium contamination.
"This appalling recommendation threatens to destroy one of the world's most breathtakingly beautiful regions to give free handouts to the mining industry," said Allison Melton, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. "The Trump administration's willingness to sacrifice our natural treasures to polluters knows no bounds. But this reckless, shortsighted proposal won't be allowed to stand."
(Center for Biological Diversity Nov. 1, 2017)
> View: Center for Biological Diversity release , Nov. 1, 2017
> Download: USDA Final Report Pursuant to Executive Order 13783 on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth , USDA (541kB PDF)
Mining industry appeals ruling that banned new uranium mining near Grand Canyon
The Havasupai tribe and conservation groups will fight appeals filed yesterday (Nov. 25) by two mining lobbying groups challenging a ruling by Arizona U.S. District Court Judge David G. Campbell that upheld a ban on new uranium mining claims on about one million acres adjacent to Grand Canyon.
The two lobbying groups appealing the decision are the National Mining Association and the American Exploration & Mining Association .
(Center for Biological Diversity Nov. 26, 2014)
Grand Canyon uranium mining ban upheld by federal court
A 20-year ban on uranium mining near the Grand Canyon will remain in place after the U.S. District Court in Arizona ruled Tuesday (Sep. 30) against mining groups that sued the federal government.
Mining associations and other groups with a stake in the industry argued that the U.S. Department of the Interior had erred in a 2012 decision to ban new mining for 20 years on more than 1 million acres of public land near the national park. They argued the ban was based on "overly cautious," speculative environmental risks. The withdrawal decision was based on studies assessing potential impacts on water, soil and other resources.
(The Republic Sep. 30, 2014)
Court denies mining company payout for loss of expected profits over Grand Canyon uranium mining ban
A federal court says a company's arguments that it lost out on up to $123 million in uranium mining revenue in northern Arizona are premature.
Vane Minerals LLC filed the complaint after the U.S. Department of Interior instituted a 20-year ban on new mining claims around the Grand Canyon.
(Arizona Daily Star May 5, 2014)
Company sues Interior Department over Grand Canyon uranium mining ban
Vane Minerals Plc challenged a 20-year ban on new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, arguing in a lawsuit that the decision was based on political positions rather than scientific evidence.
The case is Vane Minerals LLC v. U.S. Department of the Interior, 13-cv-00413, U.S. Court of Federal Claims (Washington).
(Bloomberg June 24, 2013)
Judge once again upholds Interior Department's authority to ban new uranium mining claims near Grand Canyon
A moratorium on uranium mining in the greater Grand Canyon region withstood another test this week, as U.S. District Judge David Campbell denied a uranium industry motion to reconsider his previous ruling to let the temporary ban stand.
Mining interests could still go to a federal appeals court, but for now, the withdrawal enacted last year by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will stand.
(Summit Voice May 16, 2013)
Judge upholds Interior Department's authority to ban new uranium mining claims near Grand Canyon
A judge has upheld the Interior Department's authority to ban new hard rock mining claims on federal land.
Mining advocacy groups are suing the federal government over the ban and asked a judge to declare the act unconstitutional.
Wednesday's (Mar. 20) decision by U.S. District Judge David Campbell clears the way for other claims on environmental and economic impacts to be heard.
(Arizona Republic Mar. 20, 2013)
Counties join industry in lawsuit against uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon
Mohave County (Arizona) has teamed with mining company Quaterra Alaska Inc. , and filed a lawsuit Monday (Apr. 16) in federal court in an effort to reverse a federal 20-year closure of one million acres of uranium-rich lands in northern Mohave County. The duo is requesting that the federal government stand down - and release the lands.
The lawsuit has been assigned to U.S. Senior District Judge Paul Rosenblatt, of U.S. District Court of Arizona, based in Phoenix.
(Today's News-Herald Apr. 18, 2012)
(Case Title: Quaterra Alaska Incorporated, et al v. Salazar, et al, Case Number: CV12-8075-PCT-PGR, Date Filed: 04/17/2012)
Industry sues to end uranium mining ban near Grand Canyon
The Nuclear Energy Institute and the National Mining Association said they sued the U.S. to reverse a ban on new uranium mining on federal land around the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The two organizations, representing mining and nuclear power companies, today asked a federal court in Arizona to reverse a U.S. Interior Department ban, announced Jan. 9, on new hard-rock mining claims on about 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) of land, according to an e-mailed statement. The lawsuit couldn't be independently confirmed from court records.
Richard Myers, vice president for policy development with the nuclear power group, said in the statement that the proposed land withdrawal was designed to protect against circumstances that no longer exist. The land involved isn't within the Grand Canyon or the buffer zone protecting the national park, according to the statement.
"Contrary to the assertions by the administration, today's environmental laws ensure that ore extraction and production at uranium mines have minimal environmental impact on the surrounding land, water and wildlife," Myers said.
The case is National Mining Association v. Salazar, U.S. District Court, District of Arizona.
(Bloomberg Feb. 27, 2012)
(Case Title: National Mining Association, et al. v. Salazar, et al.,
Case Number: CV12-8038-PCT-GMS, Date Filed: 02/27/2012)
Interior Secretary signs Grand Canyon Mining Ban
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar formally signed a 20-year moratorium on new uranium and other hard rock mining claims on a million acres of federal lands around the Grand Canyon on Monday (Jan. 9), saying it was a "serious and necessary step" to preserve the mile-deep canyon and the river that runs through it.
The move, which has been opposed by the mining industry and a majority of Republican politicians in Arizona, comes after more than two years of study. It reverses a decision by the George W. Bush administration to allow new leasing in the buffer zone around the canyon.
(The New York Times, Jan. 9, 2012)
Department of Interior extends uranium mining ban at Grand Canyon National Park, issues final EIS
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Wednesday (Oct. 26) that his agency favors a 20-year ban on any new uranium mining on federal lands adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park.
That decision is contained in a final environmental impact statement and will extend a moratorium put into effect in 2009.
(Deseret News Oct. 26, 2011)
> View BLM release Oct. 26, 2011
> Federal Register: October 27, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 208) p. 66747-66748 (download full text )
> Download Final EIS, Oct. 26, 2011
Arizona businesses launch campaign supporting Grand Canyon mining moratorium
Small businesses across Arizona are urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to follow through on a proposed 20-year moratorium on new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. A letter to Salazar signed by dozens of Arizona business associations, and postcards signed by more than 200 small businesses, support protecting the canyon area as a way to help preserve thousands of tourism-related jobs.
Paul Hedger, president of the Arizona Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns, says uranium mining poses too great a risk from potential air and water pollution.
(Public News Service Sep. 27, 2011)
Group releases report on negative impacts of proposed uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Environmentalists are speaking out about an Arizona congressman's efforts to open up mining near the Grand Canyon. The group Environment Arizona released a report titled "Grand Canyon at Risk."
It outlines potential negative effects of uranium mining around the national park.
(MyFox Phoenix Aug. 4, 2011)
> View Environment Arizona release Aug. 4, 2011 and download report
Appropriations bill throws future of Grand Canyon mining ban into doubt
A House subcommittee Thursday (July 7) voted to nullify the Interior Department's recently extended ban on new mining claims on more than 1 million acres of federal land around the Grand Canyon.
The move came in the form of a rider, added to the 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, that would cancel the six-month moratorium announced just over two weeks ago. The rider would also reserve authority to declare any future bans for Congress.
The ban remains in effect until the bill becomes law, and supporters of the ban said they will fight to keep that from happening.
(MSNBC Jul. 8, 2011)
Temporary ban extended on new mining claims near Grand Canyon
The Interior Department has extended a temporary ban on the filing of new mining claims near the Grand Canyon with an eye toward protecting 1 million acres and giving the federal government more time to study the economic and environmental effects of mining.
The department has been analyzing whether to prohibit new mining claims on up to 1 million acres near the park, or allow the mining industry to add to the thousands of claims already staked in the area. A temporary ban enacted in July 2009 was set to expire next month but will now last until December.
(AP Jun. 20, 2011)
BLM's EIS report on uranium mining in the Grand Canyon area ripped by conservation groups and Coconino County board
Local conservation groups and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors have found what they call "serious" flaws in a federal analysis weighing the risks and benefits of uranium mining here.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors , Sierra Club , Center for Biological Diversity , Grand Canyon Wildlands Council and Grand Canyon Trust are all questioning estimates that mining in northern Arizona could employ hundreds directly and thousands indirectly -- saying those figures appear greatly inflated.
These groups all support putting federal land bordering the Grand Canyon off-limits to new uranium mines for 20 years.
It's a scenario that would allow perhaps 11 existing mines to open instead of 30 and end new exploration rather than permitting more than 700 sites to be explored.
These questions have growing significance this summer because a 2-year-old moratorium on new uranium mining issued by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar expires in mid-July, opening the door for mining exploration to resume across about 1 million acres.
An Interior spokeswoman said she did not know when Salazar might make a decision on the issue.
(Arizona Daily Sun, May 15, 2011)
> Download Grand Canyon Trust, Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Wildlands Council and Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter comments on Grand Canyon uranium mining DEIS , May 4, 2011 (640k PDF)
> View Grand Canyon uranium mining video
Pew report maps 10 national treasures including the Grand Canyon threatened by mining claims
As the Obama administration considers whether to put federal land surrounding Grand Canyon National Park off limits to future mining claims, a report by the Pew Environment Group shows many national parks and landmarks are in jeopardy due to a dramatic increase in gold, uranium and other hardrock claims. The report calls on the Obama administration to use its power to protect these sites and work with Congress to modernize the 1872 mining law that still governs hardrock mining on public lands in the West.
> View Pew release Apr. 14, 2011
> View Photo Gallery: 10 Treasures Under Threat
> Download report: Ten Treasures at Stake: New Claims and an Old Law Put Parks and Forests at Risk , April 2011 (3.7M PDF)
Arizona DEQ issues permits for three uranium mines in proposed withdrawal area near Grand Canyon
State regulators have issued some of the permits that would be needed to open three more uranium mines (EZ, Pinenut and Canyon) in northern Arizona -- two north of the Grand Canyon, and one near Valle, south of Tusayan.
This comes as the Interior Department weighs whether to put about 1 million acres of federal land on either side of the Grand Canyon off-limits to new mining.
The new mines are on federal lands in the withdrawal area, but whether they would be grandfathered and allowed in the event of a withdrawal is in dispute.
If opened, these additional mines would make four in northern Arizona, all operated by international company Denison Mines, with ore to be processed in southeastern Utah.
But the Center for Biological Diversity, the Grand Canyon Trust and the Sierra Club are all raising challenges to block mining on the claims, saying the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should not have issued some of the permits.
(Arizona Daily Sun / Arizona Republic Mar. 11, 2011)
Department of Interior plan bans mining claims near Grand Canyon
The U.S. Department of Interior is proposing to bar the filing of any new mining claims on 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar had temporarily withdrawn the acreage in 2009. Under the preferred alternative in a draft environmental study obtained by The Associated Press, new claims would be prohibited for 20 years.
(AP Feb. 17, 2011)
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that addresses potential effects of withdrawing Federal lands from locatable mineral exploration and mining near the Grand Canyon in Arizona was released to the public on February 18, 2011.
Comment Period Ends: May 4, 2011 (comment period extended).
> View BLM release Feb. 17, 2011
> Federal Register: February 18, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 34) p. 9594-9595 (download full text )
> BLM Arizona: Proposed Mineral Withdrawal Near Grand Canyon
> Download Draft Environmental Impact Statement
City of Flagstaff joins opposition to uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Flagstaff has joined five Arizona tribes in opposition to uranium mining near Grand Canyon National Park. The city council has voted 6-1 to support a 20-year moratorium on new mines proposed by U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
(Public News Service Dec. 10, 2010)
Bureau of Land Management releases Scoping Report on proposed mining claims withdrawal near Grand Canyon
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a Scoping Report for the proposed withdrawal of nearly 1 million acres of federal lands near the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining claims. The purpose of scoping is to provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the proposed action and to provide comments on issues and concerns.
A total of 83,525 submissions were received containing 8,600 distinct comments. The information gathered by the BLM through the scoping process will be used in developing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
(KCSG TV Mar. 8, 2010)
> Download Northern Arizona Proposed Withdrawal Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Report , U.S. BLM, March 2010 (5.4MB PDF)
> Download BLM Newsletter #1 - March 2010 (492kB PDF)
USGS releases report on uranium deposits and environmental impacts of former uranium mining near the Grand Canyon
New research shows areas formerly mined for uranium near the Grand Canyon have slightly elevated levels of uranium in the water, but that the majority of wells, springs and streams would be fit to drink under EPA standards.
Arsenic and uranium, however, were consistently detected in areas near mines along Kanab Creek and were found in greater amounts than the surrounding landscape.
The findings are important because they will be at the heart of data used by the Interior Department as it debates whether to allow or prohibit new uranium mines on the Arizona Strip amid renewed federal interest in nuclear power.
Researchers took 1,014 water samples in the region, including downstream of former uranium mines, and found that water exceeded av contaminant level for one or more elements 7 percent of the time.
USGS researchers looked at impacts from past mining, and sought to determine impacts on water, plants and animals.
They found there's little research out there that measures uranium in plants or animals living in the vicinity of the Colorado River.
At the former Pigeon Mine on the Strip, they found 10 weathered pieces of uranium ore, and some wind-blown uranium waste.
At the not-backfilled (not "reclaimed") Kanab North Mine, they found uranium had been blown around the site, at levels 10 times higher than what naturally occurs in the soil.
At a third, the Hack 1 Mine, ore and waste piles had been eroded by a flash flood, and uranium levels were elevated a half-mile downstream of the mine.
Grand Canyon Superintendent Steve Martin called the research useful, but limited in its ability to forecast the impacts of many more uranium mines north or south of the Grand Canyon if mining were widely approved.
(Arizona Daily Sun Feb. 18, 2010)
> Download Hydrological, geological, and biological site characterization of breccia pipe uranium deposits in northern Arizona , Alpine, Andrea E. (ed.), Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5025, U.S. Geological Survey 2010, 353 p.
Bureau of Land Management sued for withholding records on uranium mines that threaten Grand Canyon
On Feb. 11, 2010, the Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for illegally withholding public records relating to uranium mines immediately north of Grand Canyon National Park. The suit asserts that the Bureau violated the Freedom of Information Act by refusing to disclose records pursuant to a July 30, 2009 request submitted by the Center. The Bureau is withholding the vast majority of eight linear feet of responsive records despite directives from the Obama administration requiring the agency to respond to information requests "promptly and in a spirit of cooperation" and to adopt a "presumption of disclosure."
(Center for Biological Diversity Feb. 11, 2010)
Protection of Grand Canyon from mining urged, after nearly 100,000 supporting messages filed
After nearly 100,000 members of the public called for protecting the Grand Canyon from mining, a Pew Environment Group ad today urged Congress to support legislation that would permanently ban new mining claims on public lands surrounding the park. Under the antiquated mining law of 1872, more than one thousand uranium mining claims have been staked just outside park boundaries.
H.R. 644 , authored by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), chair of the House National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee, would protect approximately one million acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park from new mining claims. The bill would make permanent a moratorium on claim staking called for in July by U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
As the initial public comment period for the Department of Interior's environmental review of the withdrawal proposal ended October 30, 98,355 messages had been received in support.
(Pew Environment Group Nov. 5, 2009)
Arizona governor objects to federal halt on new mining claims near Grand Canyon
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer objects to a ban on filing new mining claims on nearly 1 million acres of federal land in northern Arizona for two years while a permanent prohibition is under study.
(AP Nov. 2, 2009)
New policy requires proven mine claims for approval of uranium exploration at Grand Canyon
The reclassification of nearly 1 million acres of land around the Grand Canyon to prevent new mining claims comes with a fundamental change in how the U.S. Forest Service does business with mining companies.
Companies that file to do exploratory drilling and other projects on more than 560 square miles of the Kaibab National Forest now must prove they have valid existing rights to their claims. That could include providing evidence that the mineral has been discovered at the surface with sufficient quality and quantity.
That wasn't the case before Interior Secretary Ken Salazar last month blocked any new mining claims on the land for a two-year period.
Salazar also reclassified 990 square miles under the control of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Unlike the Forest Service, the BLM has discretion in either taking the company's word that its claims are valid or conducting a review, said Jeff Garrett, a BLM geologist in Phoenix.
The change affects as many as 10,000 existing mining claims on federal lands for all types of hard-rock exploration around the Grand Canyon and some 1,100 uranium mining claims within five miles of the canyon.
(AP Aug. 14, 2009)
Government pulls land near Grand Canyon from mining
The U.S. Interior Department said on Monday (July 20, 2009) it would prohibit certain mining for two years on nearly 1 million acres of federal lands near the Grand Canyon while it studies whether to withdraw the land from new mining claims for 20 more years.
The lands that will be pulled are within portions of the Grand Canyon watershed next to Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and contain significant environmental and cultural resources as well as substantial uranium deposits, the department said.
Mining would still be allowed to continue on pre-existing claims, but not for new mining applications.
(Reuters July 20, 2009)
> View BLM Arizona information
Conservation groups extend lawsuit that challenges new uranium exploration near Grand Canyon
The Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust, and Sierra Club today amended their lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of the Interior to challenge newly authorized uranium exploration near Grand Canyon National Park. The new uranium projects are located within a 1-million acre area that was required to be immediately withdrawn from mining by a June 25, 2008 emergency resolution of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. Today's amendment challenges new uranium projects authorized by the Bureau of Land Management on April 23 and April 27, 2009.
> View Center for Biological Diversity release, May 8, 2009
Bureau of Land Management defies Congressional uranium ban, approves new exploration north of Grand Canyon
Documents obtained today by conservation groups reveal that on April 27, 2009, the Bureau of Land Management authorized Quaterra Alaska, Inc. (subsidiary of Quaterra Resources, Inc. ) to conduct uranium mine exploration operations across five separate projects on public lands north of Grand Canyon National Park. The authorization violates a June 2008 congressional resolution prohibiting new uranium claims and exploration across 1 million acres of public lands surrounding the Park.
> View Center for Biological Diversity release, May 5, 2009
Unofficial Draft Environmental Assessment issued for uranium exploration in Kaibab National Forest near Grand Canyon
On Feb. 22, 2009, DIR Exploration, Inc. released a Draft Environmental Assessment on a program of drilling exploration of uranium prospects located within the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
> Download Draft Environmental Assessment, Kaibab JV Exploration Drilling Program, Tusayan Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona, February 2009 (26.5MB PDF)
"The Forest Service is not currently seeking public comments on a proposal from DIR Exploration, Inc. to conduct exploratory drilling for uranium on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. A document currently being circulated by DIR Exploration is not a Forest Service document and was produced outside of the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
The Kaibab National Forest will begin evaluating DIR Exploration's proposal through the formal NEPA process at a later date. At that time, an official scoping period will be held for members of the public to review information and provide comments." (emphasis added)
U.S. BLM removes rules that allowed for uranium exploration moratorium in the Grand Canyon area
> View here
Hualapai Tribe bans uranium mining
The Hualapai (WAHL'-uh-peye) Tribe has renewed a ban on uranium mining on its land near the Grand Canyon, joining other American Indian tribes in opposing what they see as a threat to their environment and their culture.
(AP Sep. 16, 2009)
Forest Service announces preparation of Environmental Impact Statement on uranium exploration in Kaibab National Forest
The USDA Forest Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider and disclose the effects of proposed exploratory drilling for uranium on National Forest System (NFS) land. The proposed exploratory drilling project would occur on mining claims held by VANE Minerals, Inc. and Uranium One.
Comments on this proposal must be received within 30 days following Oct. 10, 2008.
)
Federal Register: August 10, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 153) p. 48305 (download full text )
Conservation groups challenge Secretary of Interior to protect Grand Canyon and enforce uranium mining ban
On Sep. 29, 2008, the Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust and Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter filed suit against Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne for authorizing uranium exploration near Grand Canyon National Park in defiance of a congressional resolution prohibiting such activities across 1 million acres of public lands in watersheds surrounding the Park.
On June 25th, 2008, the U.S. House of Representative's Committee on Natural Resources voted 20-2 in favor of a resolution that requires the Secretary to withdraw public lands surrounding Grand Canyon from new uranium claims and exploration. The Secretary, acting through the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management, has defied the resolution and continued to initiate and authorize new uranium exploration within the withdrawal area north of Grand Canyon. The suit claims that in so doing, the Secretary violated the Federal Land Management and Policy Act, National Environmental Policy Act and other laws.
(Center for Biological Diversity Sep. 29, 2008)
Settlement repeals uranium exploration near Grand Canyon, requires full reviews of subsequent drilling proposals
The Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust and Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter have reached a settlement agreement with the United States Forest Service and VANE Minerals, a British mining firm, over a legal challenge to uranium exploration approved last December for national forest land immediately south - some within three miles - of Grand Canyon National Park.
The suit held that the Kaibab National Forest violated the National Environmental Policy Act and Appeals Reform Act when it approved 39 exploratory drilling holes using a “categorical exclusion” from detailed public and environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. The settlement follows an April preliminary injunction and requires the Forest Service and VANE Minerals to withdraw the drilling approval and to undertake a full Environmental Impact Statement process prior to any renewed effort to drill at the sites.
(Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust, Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, Sep. 26, 2008)
U.S. Congress halts mining near Grand Canyon
One million acres of public land around the Grand Canyon would be off limits to any new mining for three years under an emergency resolution adopted by a House committee.
The House Natural Resources Committee voted 20-2 on June 25, 2008, to compel the Interior Department to withdraw the property from any new mining claims. Supporters of the measure said a rush of claims to mine the area for uranium to feed nuclear power plants threatened the natural landscape that lures five million visitors to the park each year. The mining could also taint the Colorado River, a drinking water source for millions.
Republicans said mining is not a threat and walked out in protest before the vote. The committee vote is all that is needed to stop new mining claims.
(AP June 25, 2008)
House Subcommittee files emergency resolution to prevent uranium mining near Grand Canyon National Park
On June 20, 2008, Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, announced that the House Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., introduced an emergency resolution to prevent uranium mining near Grand Canyon National Park.
The emergency resolution is in response to concerns about more than 3,000 uranium mining claims filed in Grand Canyon watersheds in less than three years.
The principal purpose of H.R. 5583 is to protect the park from the disruption of uranium drilling and mining near the rim and potential further contamination of groundwater. Supporters say it is needed to protect the Grand Canyon's seeps, springs, streams, river, and the people, plants and wildlife that survive on those waters.
Uranium in the Grand Canyon region is found in sedimentary layers that serve as significant regional aquifers. Mining disturbs and mobilizes uranium and other elements that have been mineralized and encased in these rocks for millions of years.
(The Spectrum June 20, 2008)
Uranium test drilling near Grand Canyon halted
On Apr. 4, 2008, a federal judge blocked a British firm from drilling test holes for uranium on the national forest near Grand Canyon National Park.
Judge Mary Murguia issued a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against Vane Minerals and the Kaibab National Forest until the merits of a lawsuit seeking more rigorous environmental analysis are decided.
(Arizona Daily Sun Apr. 5, 2008)
Indian leaders oppose uranium mining near Grand Canyon; Congressional Hearing held
Indian leaders, scientists, business interests and the superintendent of the Grand Canyon warned March 28, 2008 of dire consequences if uranium mining is allowed to proceed near the national park. Mining advocates minimized any likely problems.
At a congressional field hearing held in Flagstaff, proponents of a measure to ban mining around the Grand Canyon said the canyon is a national treasure worthy of protection from the impacts of such activity.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., who chaired the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, has sponsored a bill to ban a million acres near the Grand Canyon from mineral exploration under the 1872 Mining Act.
(Tucson Citizen Mar. 29, 2008)
> Navajo's won't allow uranium mining, President tells subcommittee, March 30, 2008 (184k PDF, Navajo Nation)
Environmentalists sue over uranium exploration near Grand Canyon
The Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and Grand Canyon Trust say they are suing the U.S. Forest Service for approving a series of new uranium test drilling sites only a few miles from the Grand Canyon National Park.
The suit filed March 12, 2008, in U.S. District Court in Prescott, Ariz. claims the government violated several environmental and other laws when it approved the drilling without full environmental reviews.
(Associated Press, March 12, 2008)
Conservationists challenge exploratory drilling near Grand Canyon
On Feb. 11, 2008, the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon chapter and the Center for Biological Diversity requested that the Kaibab National Forest withdraw approval of up to 39 new uranium-exploration drilling sites immediately south of Grand Canyon National Park. The Forest Service had claimed that the proposed drilling was exempt from detailed environmental review because it would have no effect on the environment.
> View Center for Biological Diversity release Feb. 11, 2008
County Board wants Canyon Country off-limits to uranium mining
As uranium prospectors stake thousands more claims on the Arizona Strip and in the Kaibab National Forest each year, Coconino County's governing body is trying to block them.
On Feb. 5, 2008, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to ask Congress to put most of the federal lands surrounding the Grand Canyon out of uranium miners' reach.
Next, the Grand Canyon Trust plans to ask Arizona's delegation to draft a bill blocking new claims and canceling most of the existing ones around the canyon, including on parts of the Kaibab National Forest and the Arizona Strip.
(Arizona Daily Sun Feb. 6, 2008)
Grand Canyon Trust opposes uranium exploration near the south rim of the Grand Canyon
In an ominous move that threatens the integrity of the nation's most iconic natural treasure, the Forest Service has approved drilling for uranium at as many as 39 sites near the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This action marks what may be the beginning of extensive uranium mining operations in close proximity to the national park.
Under the antiquated 1872 Mining Law that still governs mining activity on public lands the government has virtually no power to deny applications to mine on any of these claims, regardless of the impact on national parks or any other resource. The approvals to drill for uranium near the Grand Canyon were granted to Vane Minerals , a British uranium mining corporation.
"The Grand Canyon Trust believes that the current uranium boom poses one of the greatest threats to Grand Canyon National Park in its history," said Dave Gowdey, Grand Canyon Program Director for the Trust. "Uranium development at the borders of the park threatens to contaminate Park waters with radioactive waste, poses public health problems for those downstream communities dependent upon Colorado River water, and disrupts the Park's unique natural areas. [...]"
(Environmental Working Group: Grand Canyon Threatened by Approval of Uranium Mining Activities , January 29, 2008)
Arizona 1 mine, Mohave County
> View deposit info
> View more recent issues
The mine will be an underground operation utilizing the existing 1,252 foot deep, 2-compartment shaft and employing a combination of long hole and shrinkage stoping methods at a mining rate of 335 tons per day, four days per week.
Ore will be hauled by truck approximately 315 miles to Denison's White Mesa mill located near Blanding, Utah. The ore will be batch treated in the mill when 17,000 tonnes are available for processing with U3O8 recovery expected to be 95%.
Production is expected to total approximately 857,000 pounds U3O8 [330 t U].
> View Center for Biological Diversity release Sep. 8, 2009
The groups actually filed the lawsuit on Nov. 16, 2009.
> View Center for Biological Diversity release Nov. 16, 2009
On June 17, 2010, Denison Mines Corp. reported that the United States District Court for the District of Arizona has denied a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust, Sierra Club, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians of the Kaibab Indian Reservation, and Havasupai Tribe to halt operations at Denison's Arizona 1 mine.
Conservation groups and Native American tribes today (July 12) appealed a federal court decision that denied a request to halt uranium mining just six miles north of Grand Canyon National Park. The appeal filed with the Ninth District Court of Appeals challenges a lower court's June 17 decision on the groups' request for a preliminary injunction at the Arizona 1 uranium mine. The appeal was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust, Sierra Club, Kaibab Paiute Tribe and Havasupai Tribe.
> View Center for Biological Diversity release July 12, 2010
When operational, the Arizona I mine is expected to extract 109,500 tons per year (tpy) of uranium ore. The extracted uranium ore is removed via haul trucks and transported for further processing at the White Mesa mill in Blanding, Utah.
> View details (AZDEQ)
> Download ADEQ notice and documents (select "Public Notices, Meetings and Hearings")
While the Technical Support Document presents some minimum assessment of the hazards from radon release from the mine (106 mrem/year! [1.06 mSv/year]) and from direct radiation from ore transport, it simply disregards the dust emissions with this remarkable justification:
"Radiation exposure from dust associated with the mining operation is dependent on the concentrations of dust in the air and the activity of the compounds in the dust. Since these values are variable, it is not feasible to estimate the radiation impact from the dust."
This ignorance is particularly disturbing, as the Arizona 1 mine is to exploit a uranium deposit with one of the highest ore grades found in the U.S.
On June 14, 2006, International Uranium Corp. announced it will review and revise the engineering estimates for the fully permitted Arizona 1 Mine in the Arizona Strip district with development scheduled to begin early 2007 and production beginning in late summer 2007.
Anderson mine, Yavapai County
> View deposit info
The PEA is based on conceptual mine design which includes open pit mining and a combination of highwall and room and pillar underground mining.
The base case for the PEA considers conventional mining in conjunction with on-site heap leach recovery, producing an intermediate uranium concentrate in the form of loaded resin which could be shipped to the White Mesa mill near Blanding, Utah for final processing.
The anticipated mine life is 14 years during which it is anticipated that the mine will produce an estimated 16 million pounds of U3O8 [6,154 t U] at an average annual rate slightly in excess of one million pounds [385 t U] per annum.
On Sep. 12, 2011, the companies announced that the merger was completed on Sep. 9, 2011.
> Download Meeting Notice, July 25, 2007 (ADAMS ML072050014)
> Download NRC Meeting Notice, July 17, 2007 (ADAMS ML071980098)
> Download NRC Meeting Notice, May 23, 2007 (ADAMS ML061430096)
> Download Report of Meeting, July 18, 2006 (ADAMS ML061940482)
According to Concentric Energy Corp., former site owner Unocal was planning a huge open pit mine with 38-to-1 strip ratio. They intended to mine 500 million tons of waste rock and leave a huge hole. Such an operation would be most difficult to permit now. However, the property were well suited to be mined by use of conventional coal mining techniques and in-situ leaching of pillars and low-grade material.
Pinyon Plain mine, Coconino County
(formerly Canyon Mine)
The ore will be trucked to a mill for processing based on a toll milling agreement. Process recovery is estimated to be 96% to produce 1.51 Mlb of U3O8.
The study is based on a uranium sales price of 60 US$/lb U3O8.
> Calculate mine feasibility
"It is time to permanently ban uranium mining -- not only to preserve the Havasupai Tribe's cultural identity and our existence as the Havasupai People but to protect the Grand Canyon for generations to come," Havasupai Tribal Chairman Thomas Siyuja, Sr. said in a statement. "With recent activity observed inside the mine fence, it is clear that the mining company is making plans to begin its operations."
The Tribe and its allies say hundreds of uranium mines could eventually be developed on federal public lands near the Grand Canyon National Park if efforts fail to pass the Senate Bill 387 -- Grand Canyon Protection Act. The bill is currently in the Senate and, if passed, would permanently ban new uranium mines on more than 1 million acres of federal public lands near the Grand Canyon.
While the passage of the Grand Canyon Protection Act would stop new mines from being developed, it would not shut down existing mines like Pinyon Plain Mine. The Havasupai Tribe and its many supporters remain committed to seeing the mine closed and cleaned up.
(Native News Dec. 7, 2022)
> Download: GRAND CANYON TRUST V. HEATHER PROVENCIO, Court Opinion No. 20-16401 , Feb. 22, 2022 (151kB PDF)
Submit comments by August 7, 2021.
A public hearing will be held on August 9, 2021.
> View/Download: ADEQ Public Notice and related documents , June 23, 2021
The agency said the new permit would replace three existing water protection permits and allow for more efficient oversight.
But longtime opponents of Pinyon Plain Mine, including the Havasupai Tribe and environmentalists, said they would continue to fight to ensure the mine would never open for business.
The small tribe, the only one in Arizona that still inhabits land below the rim of the Grand Canyon, relies on a water source that's downstream from where the mine sits. And they're worried that if the mine floods, like it did in 2017, uranium and other heavy metal contaminants will render that water unusable for centuries.
(Arizona Republic July 15, 2021)
> View: ADEQ page on Canyon mine permitting
The groups argued that the "aquifer protection permit" in question, which technically serves to tighten government oversight of a polluter's operations, could put the area's aquifers and springs at risk by enabling the mine's continued operations.
The Pinyon Plain Mine, located about 15 miles south of the Grand Canyon, has a history of flooding as it depletes shallow groundwater aquifers that express just south of the canyon at South Rim Springs, the groups said in a joint press release on Friday (Apr. 29) morning.
They argued that continued operations of the mine, owned by Energy Fuel Resources, could also permanently pollute the deep aquifers that feed into Havasu Creek. Members of the Havasupai Tribe, they noted, have repeatedly called for the closure of the facility.
(The Hill Apr. 29, 2022)
> View: Groups' joint press release, Apr. 29, 2022
> View: ADEQ page on Canyon mine permitting
Still, environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe sought to prevent that from happening. They sued the U.S. Forest Service, arguing the agency failed to consider the environmental and cultural costs of extracting uranium ore when it reviewed the company's mining claims.
U.S. District Judge David Campbell in Arizona said those costs would have been minimal, considering the Forest Service projected Canyon Mine's profits at a conservative $29 million.
(AP May 28, 2020)
The dust suppression tactic is happening at Canyon Mine, a uranium mine in a patch of the Kaibab National Forest, about 10 miles from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. While the direct consequences of this specific operation are unknown for now, there is research from government agencies and aggregated research from environmental groups that show the documented, negative effects of uranium mining.
ADEQ inspectors and mine staff confirmed that the water being used to keep dust down is being pumped out of the mine shaft, which has high levels of arsenic and uranium, stored in tanks on site and then sprayed from a truck.
In a statement sent to the Arizona Capitol Times, ADEQ said it is aware of the concern and that it "is committed to taking actions that are protective of public health and the environment." According to 2018 data from Energy Fuels, the mine operator, that water contains levels of uranium as high as 29 times higher than the EPA drinking water standard for arsenic and four times the standard for uranium.
(Arizona Capitol Times Dec. 6, 2019)
In a letter to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the groups urged the agency to require Energy Fuels Resources to immediately plug shallow aquifers flooding the Canyon Mine. The letter also called for the agency to limit the company's aquifer protection permit to mine closure, post-closure maintenance and full bonding. The current permit expires Aug. 31.
"Flooding that regulators said was nearly impossible is now severe, threatening irreversible harm to the Grand Canyon’s precious aquifers and springs," said Taylor McKinnon, senior public lands campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. "These risks aren’t worth taking. It’s time to stop the flooding and close the mine."
In 2016 mine-shaft drilling pierced shallow aquifers, causing water pumped from the mine to spike from 900,000 gallons to nearly 9 million gallons in 2017 and 10 million gallons in 2018. In 2017 miners sprayed the contaminated water into the Kaibab National Forest because the water exceeded the facility's wastewater-storage capacity. Since 2016 dissolved uranium in that water has consistently exceeded federal toxicity limits by more than 300 percent.
(Center for Biological Diversity, Aug. 20, 2019)
> Access: Docket No. 18-1239 (Havasupai Tribe, Petitioner v. Heather C. Provencio, et al.)
The decision by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a partial reversal of its own December decision that said the Canyon Mine, approved in 1988, was grandfathered in and could not now be challenged.
(Cronkite News Oct. 25, 2018)
> Download court decision: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: Havasupai Tribe v. Heather Provencio, Case No. 15-15754 , Oct. 25, 2018 (137kB PDF)
The appeals court sided the lower court to allow Energy Fuels' Canyon Mine near the south rim of the Grand Canyon to open, despite a challenge by the Havasupai Tribe and environmental campaigners that the mine would threaten the watershed.
(Reuters Dec. 12, 2017)
> View Center for Biological Diversity release Dec. 12, 2017
> Download court decision: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: Havasupai Tribe v. Heather Provencio, Case No. 15-15754 , Dec. 12, 2017 (134k PDF)
The resolution declares social justice and the defense of indigenous communities in the region among the council's primary goals. It also lists potential health effects of uranium mining like lung and bone cancer and impaired kidney function, and declares Flagstaff a "nuclear free zone."
However, city officials acknowledge the resolution is symbolic, as uranium hauling is regulated by state and federal agencies.
(KNAU Nov. 8, 2017)
, an organization against uranium production, has formally opposed uranium hauling through Flagstaff by putting a resolution through the City Council. They also plan to protest in front of City Hall on Oct. 10. The resolution attempts to ban uranium producer Energy Fuels Resources from using city roads to haul uranium.
Energy Fuels plans to transport uranium in open-bed trucks with tarps secured over the top [from its Canyon mine in Arizona to its White Mesa mill in Utah]. Haul No claims the possibility of cargo spills and uranium dust escaping through the tarps and tainting the environment and communities are consequences too severe to allow on the road.
(Courthouse News Oct. 3, 2017)
, the Arizona Dept. of Water Resources notified Energy Fuels that the transport of contaminated water from the Canyon mine to the White Mesa mill performed in late 2016 and 2017 would have required an approval of the Director of the Department. The shipments were undertaken to avoid overtopping at the lined pond near the mine.
"Because shipments of water across state lines have ceased and because Energy Fuels is implementing measures to eliminate the need to transport water out of Arizona from the Canyon Mine, the Department will not take any action against Energy Fuels for the past transportation of water from the mine to Utah."
(Arizona Dept. of Water Resources letter to Energy Fuels, Inc. July 27, 2017)
Large volumes of winter snow and rain, low seasonal evaporation rates and high initial inflows from a perched aquifer pierced by the mine shaft caused water levels in the ponds to rise, according to Energy Fuels, the mine's owner.
According to a company spokesperson, uranium concentrations in the pond water measure about 0.09 parts per million, which is three times the federal drinking water standard of 0.03 parts per million.
Uranium ore production has not started on the 17-acre Canyon Mine site. Energy Fuels is still drilling the mine shaft and other ventilation shafts. Ore production could begin in June at the earliest, according to the Forest Service.
(Arizona Daily Sun Mar. 16, 2017)
The Havasupai seek an injunction against withdrawal of groundwater from the Coconino Plateau and a declaration that "the tribe has aboriginal and federally reserved water rights in the full flow of Havasu Creek and the springs, seeps, and streams on its reservation and traditional use lands."
But U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow ruled Tuesday that because the tribe's reservation and traditional use lands were granted by act of Congress, the groundwater dispute cannot be resolved without the federal government's involvement.
Snow gave the tribe 90 days to amend their complaint with the United States as an intervenor, otherwise he will dismiss it.
(Courthouse News Service Apr. 20, 2017)
on Monday (Dec. 5), the tribe contends the seeps and springs that feed the main creek that flows through the Havasupai village of Supai deep in Grand Canyon have become increasingly threatened by a growing number of groundwater wells. Those wells tap into the Redwall-Muave aquifer, which scientists have found is the source of many springs along the south rim of Grand Canyon.
The lawsuit names 19 defendants who own wells on the Coconino Plateau, including the city of Williams and Energy Fuels Resources, the owner of Canyon Uranium Mine south of Tusayan.
(Arizona Daily Sun Dec. 7/8, 2016)
> Phoenix Civil Case No. CV16-08290-PCT-ESW, Havasupai Tribe v. Anasazi Water Company LLC, et al.
> Download permit and related documents (ADEQ)
Submit comments by August 30, 2016.
> Download draft permits and related documents (ADEQ)
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is still working on developing new, more environmentally protective air quality permits for three uranium mines in the Grand Canyon region.
The action comes after news broke late last year that elevated uranium levels had been measured in soils near Pinenut uranium mine, located 10 miles north of the Grand Canyon and owned by Energy Fuels Resources. In response, ADEQ decided to suspend its work on air quality permit renewals for all four uranium mines operated by Energy Fuels Resources.
ADEQ is now working to complete drafts of the new air quality permits for public review and comment. The revisions include faster execution of enhanced dust control measures if elevated uranium or radium levels are detected and extensive changes to the required soil sampling and radiation survey plan to mitigate potential impacts from high wind.
The state department will host public hearings on the new draft permits in Flagstaff, Tuba City and Fredonia, which it hopes to begin in early summer.
(Arizona Daily Sun Apr. 15, 2016)
> Download: Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. Draft Permit No. 62877 , March 23, 2016 (475k PDF)
Canyon Mine is currently not producing any uranium ore. The mine is located within the public lands acreage in northern Arizona that the Department of the Interior withdrew in 2012 from consideration for new uranium mining claims for 20 years. However, Canyon Mine can still produce uranium ore, because it is one of four pre-existing mines that were permitted before the 2012 decision.
> View USGS release March 3, 2016 · Details (USGS)
Submit comments by January 4, 2015.
> Download ADEQ Public Notice, Dec. 2, 2015 (PDF)
> Download Draft Permit (PDF)
> Download Draft Technical Support Document (PDF)
> View here
The claims were rejected Tuesday (Apr. 7) in a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell in Phoenix. The Forest Service approved a plan of operation for the Canyon Mine in 1986, and officials argued that it remains valid, along with the mining claims owned by Energy Fuels Resources Inc.
The company plans to restart the Canyon Mine this spring, shifting employees from a mine north of the Grand Canyon after resources there are depleted.
The coalition of environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe have 60 days to challenge Campbell's ruling.
(Arizona Daily Sun Apr. 7, 2015)
(Energy Fuels Inc. Nov. 5, 2013)
> See also Center for Biological Diversity release Nov. 6, 2013
> View Center for Biological Diversity release Mar. 7, 2013
> Download complaint Mar. 7, 2013 (281k PDF)
The Canyon Mine is located in the 1 million-acre watershed where new uranium mining was banned by the Obama administration in January. Although the so-called "mineral withdrawal" prohibits new mining claims and development on existing claims lacking valid existing rights, it allows development on claims whose existing rights are deemed valid -- such as the ones the Forest Service just granted to Denison for the Canyon Mine based on "current economic conditions."
(Center for Biological Diversity June 26, 2012)
> View Center for Biological Diversity release, June 26, 2012
> View Forest Service release June 25, 2012
> View Forest Service's Canyon mine page
> View ADEQ public notice
> View details (AZDEQ)
> Download ADEQ notice and documents (select "Public Notices, Meetings and Hearings")
said Denison Mines proposed using outdated, 20-year-old liners and impoundment ponds to capture uranium mine-related runoff. In addition, ADEQ said Denison wasn't specific enough in describing pollution-control measures at the proposed mines.
The Canyon Mine was the site of a long legal battle, opposed for mining by the Havasupai Tribe.
The tribe lost that court battle, but owner International Uranium Corporation put mining on hold until uranium prices rebounded. There is equipment on the site, but it has never been mined.
(Arizona Daily Sun May 14, 2008)
EZ mine, Mohave County
> View mine info
> Download permit and related documents (ADEQ)
Submit comments by August 30, 2016.
> Download draft permits and related documents (ADEQ)
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is still working on developing new, more environmentally protective air quality permits for three uranium mines in the Grand Canyon region.
The action comes after news broke late last year that elevated uranium levels had been measured in soils near Pinenut uranium mine, located 10 miles north of the Grand Canyon and owned by Energy Fuels Resources. In response, ADEQ decided to suspend its work on air quality permit renewals for all four uranium mines operated by Energy Fuels Resources.
ADEQ is now working to complete drafts of the new air quality permits for public review and comment. The revisions include faster execution of enhanced dust control measures if elevated uranium or radium levels are detected and extensive changes to the required soil sampling and radiation survey plan to mitigate potential impacts from high wind.
The state department will host public hearings on the new draft permits in Flagstaff, Tuba City and Fredonia, which it hopes to begin in early summer.
(Arizona Daily Sun Apr. 15, 2016)
> Download: Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. Draft Permit No. 62878 , March 23, 2016 (528k PDF)
Submit comments by January 4, 2015.
> Download ADEQ Public Notice, Dec. 2, 2015 (PDF)
> Download Draft Permit (PDF)
> Download Draft Technical Support Document (PDF)
On July 22, 2016, the Fish and Wildlife Service issued the final rule 'Designation of Critical Habitat for the Acuña Cactus and the Fickeisen Plains Cactus'.
"Critical habitat
designation for the Fickeisen plains cactus is anticipated to affect
uranium mining. Impacts to uranium mining, however, are limited to the
administrative costs of one formal consultation for the EZ Mine,
totaling less than $900 in costs for the managing company, Energy Fuels
Inc., over the 20-year period of analysis. The magnitude of these
consultation costs is not anticipated to reduce fuel production or
energy production, or increase the cost of energy production or
distribution in the United States in excess of one percent. Thus, none
of the nine threshold levels outlined by the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance for implementing this Executive Order is exceeded.
Therefore, we do not expect the designation of this final critical
habitat to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or use.
Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action, and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required."
> Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016) p. 55265-55313 (download full text )
> Federal Register Volume 77, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2012) p. 60509-60579 (download full text )
> Federal Register Volume 78, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2013) p. 18938-18943 (download full text )
> Federal Register Volume 78, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2013) p. 40673-40686 (download full text )
> Access Docket ID FWS-R2-ES-2012-0061
> View ADEQ public notice
Wate property
> View deposit info
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