Contact Superfund, Pacific Southwest
Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Addressing Uranium Contamination
on the Navajo Nation
Clean Up of Abandoned Mines
As described in detail in the Five-Year Report, US EPA completed on-the-ground screening of 521 abandoned uranium mine areas. US EPA and the Navajo EPA are using the Comprehensive Database and Atlas to determine which mines should be cleaned up first. US EPA continues to research and identify Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) under Superfund to contribute to the costs of cleanup efforts.
In consultation with Navajo EPA, US EPA is conducting cleanup efforts at the following mines. Details and photos of these actions can be found in the links provided in the below table.
Mine Site |
Region |
Action |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Northeast Church Rock mine |
Eastern |
Cleanup |
Third interim action occurred September/October |
Mariano Lake Mine |
Eastern |
Investigation/Cleanup |
Urgent actions have been taken. Investigation ongoing. Evaluation of Cleanup options in 2013. |
Quivira Mine |
Eastern |
Investigation/Cleanup |
Second interim action occurred September 2012. |
Skyline Mine |
North Central |
Cleanup |
Clean up completed October 2011; total cost of $8M. |
Cove Transfer Stations |
Northern |
Cleanup |
Investigation complete. Urgent actions occurred October 2012. Cove Transfer Stations |
Sections 32 and 33 |
Eastern |
Cleanup |
Investigation ongoing. Urgent actions occurred October/November 2012. |
Ruby Mines 1-4 |
Eastern |
Negotiations with responsible party |
Starting negotiations with responsible party. Urgent actions conducted October 2012 |
20 Mine Claims in Cameron Area |
Western |
Negotiations with responsible party |
Starting negotiations with responsible party. Site visits conducted September and November 2012. |
