AdministratorIs there a uranium mine in the Grand Canyon?
The public lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park contain high concentrations of uranium ore. Mining bores deep into vertical rock formations called “breccia pipes,” making uranium soluble to groundwater and risking pollution to Grand Canyon’s biologically rich springs.
Who owns the uranium mines in the Grand Canyon?
Energy Fuels Resources
The mine, about 10 miles south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim in the Kaibab National Forest, is owned by Energy Fuels Resources, a company incorporated in Canada with corporate offices in Colorado.
Where is uranium found in Arizona?
There are currently no producing uranium mines in Arizona. Denison Mines planned to begin mining its Arizona One mine in 2007. The deposit is in a breccia pipe on the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona.
Where are the uranium mines in Arizona?
Maps of the Western Abandoned Uranium Mine (AUM) Region, more than 100 abandoned uranium mine claims generally located along the Little Colorado River and Highway 89 in the Cameron, Coalmine Canyon, Bodaway/Gap, and Leupp Chapters in Northern Arizona.
Is there gold in the Grand Canyon?
Even though there are gold deposits in the Grand Canyon, there is no mining of any kind allowed within the National Park. Since the known gold deposits hide amongst the silt and gravel in the river, there isn’t any place that you can go panning.
Why is the Grand Canyon radioactive?
“Uranium naturally occurs in the rocks of Grand Canyon National Park. A recent survey of the Grand Canyon National Park’s museum collection facility found radiation levels at ‘background’ levels – the amount always present in the environment – and below levels of concern for public health and safety.
Is there gold in Grand Canyon?
How many uranium mines are in the Grand Canyon?
There are about 600 existing uranium mining claims in the area covered by the legislation. The conservation group Grand Canyon Trust said the House vote represents a key step for those who have fought for years to protect the watershed from the effects of uranium mining.
Where does the US mine uranium?
Most mines producing uranium as a primary commodity are, or were located, in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona, and are typically on federal and Tribal lands. The current number of locations associated with uranium, as identified in the EPA database, is around 15,000.
Is Arizona radioactive?
“The average background radiation can range from 100-300 millirems per year,” according to Aubrey Godwin, Director of the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency. “The amount of additional radiation we are seeing in Arizona is less than 0.1 millirem.