Uranium mining cos. eye new Navajo Nation projects
Posted at: 03/03/2013 11:38 AM
By: The Associated Press
SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) - Uranium mining companies are showing signs of renewed interest in the Navajo Nation.
The Farmington Daily Times reports that several companies during the past year have addressed the tribe, begging for permission to once again mine the uranium-rich land that the tribe sits upon.
But several environmental studies have suggested that elevated levels of uranium in and around the mines caused health problems for the people working in and living around them.
The Navajo Nation sits on more than 70 million tons of naturally occurring uranium, a radioactive ore.
Uranium mining companies say that history will not repeat itself, especially since they are using advanced technologies and take more precautions.
The tribe banned uranium mining on its land in 2005, though federal government has jurisdiction on Navajo Trust Land.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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