Current:Home > MyArizona governor negotiates pause in hauling of uranium ore across Navajo Nation -ValueMetric
Arizona governor negotiates pause in hauling of uranium ore across Navajo Nation
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:55:19
PHOENIX (AP) — A uranium producer has agreed to temporarily pause the transport of the mineral through the Navajo Nation after the tribe raised concerns about the possible effects that it could have on the reservation.
Gov. Katie Hobbs said Friday that she intervened this week after talking with Navajo President Buu Nygren, who had come up with a plan to test a tribal law that bans uranium from being transported on its land.
Energy Fuels began hauling the ore Tuesday from its mine south of Grand Canyon National Park to a processing site in Blanding, Utah. When Nygren found out, he ordered tribal police to pull over the trucks and prevent them from traveling further. But by the time police arrived, the semi-trucks had left the reservation.
Energy Fuels said in a statement Friday that it agreed to a temporary pause “to address any reasonable concerns” held by Nygren. It recently started mining at the Pinyon Plain Mine in northern Arizona for the first time since the 1980s, driven by higher uranium prices and global instability. No other sites are actively mining uranium in Arizona.
“While Energy Fuels can legally restart transport at any time, pursuant to the current licenses, permits, and federal law, the company understands and respects President Nygren’s concern for his People, and wants to assure them that the company fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations,” the company said. “The U.S. has adopted the highest international standards for the transport of such materials, which are in place to protect human health and the environment.”
Energy Fuels isn’t legally required to give advance notice. But the Navajo Nation, the U.S. Forest Service, county officials and others says the company verbally agreed to do so — and then reneged on the promise Tuesday.
The Navajo Nation said it wanted to ensure it had time to coordinate emergency preparedness plans and other notifications before hauling began. Energy Fuels said it notified federal, state county and tribal officials about two weeks ago that hauling was imminent and outlined legal requirements, safety and emergency response.
The tribe said it didn’t expect hauling to begin for at least another month, based on months of conversations with Energy Fuels.
Hobbs said the pause on transporting the ore will allow the company and the tribe “to engage in good faith negotiations.”
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes also said her office is looking into legal options “to protect the health and safety of all Arizonans.”
The tribe passed a law in 2012 to ban the transportation of uranium on the reservation that extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. But the law exempts state and federal highways that Energy Fuels has designated as hauling routes.
Mining during World War II and the Cold War left a legacy of death, disease and contamination on the Navajo Nation and in other communities across the country. The Havasupai tribe is among the tribes and environmentalists that have raised concerns about potential water contamination.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Oprah chooses Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward as new book club pick
- Talks on Ukraine’s peace plan open in Malta with officials from 65 countries — but not Russia
- C.J. Stroud's exceptional start for Texans makes mockery of pre-NFL draft nonsense
- Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
- Last Beatles song, Now And Then, will be released Nov. 2 with help from AI
- Why is there a fuel shortage in Gaza, and what does it mean for Palestinians?
- Israel says its war can both destroy Hamas and rescue hostages. Their families are less certain
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- 3 Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at a zoo in Nashville
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- 49ers QB Brock Purdy cleared to start against Bengals after concussion in Week 7
- 'Friends' star Matthew Perry dies at age 54, reports say
- White House state dinner for Australia strikes measured tone in nod to Israel-Hamas war
- NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
- Food delivery business Yelloh to lay off 750 employees nationwide, close 90 delivery centers
- Like writing to Santa Claus: Doctor lands on 'Flower Moon' set after letter to Scorsese
- Live updates | Palestinian officials say death toll rises from expanded Israel military operation
Recommendation
Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
Trade tops the agenda as Germany’s Scholz meets Nigerian leader on West Africa trip
A reader's guide for Let Us Descend, Oprah's book club pick
Matthew Perry, Emmy-nominated ‘Friends’ star, has died at 54, reports say
Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
Matthew Perry Dead at 54
Maine shooting press conference: Watch updates from officials on Robert Card investigation
Federal prosecutors seek to jail Alabama lawmaker accused of contacting witness in bribery case