First conventional uranium mining in the U.S. in 8 years has begun in Utah and Arizona

KSJD | By Chris Clements

Published January 4, 2024 at 10:12 AM MST

A Navajo citizen and resident of Tuba City holds a sign during the annual protest walk against the mill on Oct. 7, 2023, near White Mesa, Utah, on the Ute Mountain Ute reservation.

The first conventional uranium mining done in the U.S. in eight years is underway at three mines in Utah and Arizona.

Energy Fuels Resources says that it plans to stockpile and eventually process the uranium at its White Mesa mill facility in southeastern Utah, the last of its kind still operating in the U.S.

Scott Clow is the environmental programs director for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, which is located near the White Mesa mill.

Clow says he and the tribe oppose the increase in uranium production, citing the potential for a rise in air pollution for tribal residents living near the mill.

He’s also concerned about the contamination of groundwater.

“They continue to not acknowledge the legacy of pollution and harm that this industry has done to Native Americans, especially around the Four Corners,” Clow said.

Energy Fuels said high market prices for uranium combined with helpful government policies and the high demand for fuel for nuclear power plants also led to the decision to increase mining.

This winter, Clow says the tribe hopes that a Utah regulatory agency won’t renew the uranium mill’s application for a groundwater discharge permit.

The annual protest walk ended at the driveway to Energy Fuels' White Mesa mill facility.

This story was shared via Rocky Mountain Community Radio, a network of public media stations in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico including Aspen Public Radio. It was shared via Rocky Mountain Community Radio, a network of public media stations in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico including Aspen Public Radio.