Uranium exploration, mining and milling proposal, Navajo Indian Reservation, New Mexico
The Secretary of the Interior has been requested to approve an exploration permit and mining lease which are part of a uranium exploration, mining, and milling Agreement, negotiated between the Navajo Tribe and the Exxon Corporation. The exploration area is a 400,000 acre tract located on the Navajo Reservation in San Juan County, New Mexico. If uranium ore in sufficient quantities to warrant development is discovered, Exxon is authorized to take a total of 51,200 acres to lease for mining, of which only 5,120 surface acres may be used for mining and milling purposes. While all exploration and predevelopment costs prior to mining must be borne by Exxon, the Navajo Tribe has reserved the right to participate in the venture on either a royalty basis or as a partner holding up to a 40 percent working interest. Impacts resulting from exploration will include disturbance of soils and vegetation and air quality degradation resulting from the vehicular movement and the operation of drilling equipment. If mining and milling takes place significant environmental impacts include: sub-surface water depletion, soils and vegetation disturbance, air quality degradation, interruption of the wildlife habitat, population increases, increased demands on community services and facilities, and disruption of established lifestyles and social patterns. Low levels of radioactive emissions will be found at mine and mill sites. Income and employment opportunities from the project to the Navajo Tribe, Navajo people, and the entire San Juan County community will be significant.
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs, Billings, Mont. (USA). Planning Support Group
- OSTI ID:
- 7341751
- Report Number(s):
- DES-76-25(DRAFT); TRN: 08-019263
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NEW MEXICO
URANIUM ORES
EXPLORATION
MILLING
MINING
AIR QUALITY
COMMUNITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
PLANTS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOILS
BIOMASS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
MACHINING
NORTH AMERICA
ORES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
050200* - Nuclear Fuels- Exploration- (-1987)
050300 - Nuclear Fuels- Mining- (-1987)
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy