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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

Radiation Nation
Addressing the Legacies of
Uranium Mining on
Mt. Taylor

A Report from the English 219

Final Project Team

Alesandra Candelaria
Miranda Simp
Danielle Kanuho

December 7, 2017
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

Table of Contents:

Introduction.........................................3
Research Plan......................................4
Results of Research.............................5
Discussion of Results..........................6
Recommendations ..........................7
Appendix ........................................8
Works Cited ....8

Abstract
This report summarizes the extent of the causes and effects of uranium mining on Mt.
Taylor, along with making recommendations for action. Our main point is helping our readers to
understand that uranium mining is a huge health hazard now and for future generations that
deserves to be addressed. Our group discussed articles that were pertinent to our project. We then
analyzed each one and came to the conclusion that we want to address three major issues:
1. Increase safety standards
2. Provide adequate funding for mining
3. Maintain healthcare resources.
Some of our results of our report include the following: The guidelines and requirements to run
and operate a mining and milling corporation were not strict about termination and clean up
policy. Listed are some of the recommendations for action: (a) Increase safety standards,
environmental impact surveys, regulation and monitoring of uranium project plans. (b) Provide
adequate funding and administration to remediate abandoned mines and radioactive tailings.
(c)Mandate substantive healthcare resources for communities and individuals adversely impacted
by exposure to uranium.
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

Figure 2 The effects of radiation on the human body

Introduction
The subject of our report is to answer the question, "To what extent can the causes and
effects of uranium mining be resolved?" Our purpose for this report is to understand what
uranium is needed for, address the effects on the human body, display background information,
and expand on the importance of this topic. Many uranium sites have been left untouched after
continuous mining happened. The main point is to understand what is currently being done for
the people who suffer from uranium exposure. The importance of this subject is significant
because no one has done anything about this issue. The uranium spills are affecting people and
seeping into land, water, and air.
During World War II, the United States government needed uranium in order to make nuclear
warheads. Uranium is radioactive and hazardous to human beings with long periods of expose to
the metal. The government has nuclear bombing outposts located in Nevada, Utah, and New
Mexico. In the book Downwind it states, "the government knew health risks were involved, risks
the AEC actively concealed from laborers even as a Public Health Service study conducted
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

without laborers informed consent raised warnings of imminent cancer." This report includes 4
sections: (a) the research plan, (b) the results of our research, (c) a discussion of these results,
and (d) our recommendations.

Figure 2 illustration of evaporation ponds and shifts into the air, ground, and water

Methodology
To analyze and explore solutions and alternatives to the negative effects of uranium
mining, a plan of research was taken into action.
First major step in our plan of research was picking a research question. We had already picked
our topic and were in need of a research question. Our final research question became, "To what
extent can the causes and effects of uranium mining be resolved?" Research was our next action,
research the causes and effects of uranium mining. Numerous resources were found after
scouring various databases. After familiarizing ourselves with the negative effects of uranium
radiation, we researched and brainstormed solutions to not only the uranium ores and mills itself
but also for the health of the people living with this radiation.
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

In the end of the research process we found numerous useful information that affected the
outcome of this report. The limitations of our plan of research was confined to a few. The
availability of resources and materials was one of them. The databases had only so much
information and many not specific to our topic and research question. Every entry into the search
engines brought up few results. Another limitation that we came across during the research
process was the matter that our topic was a political topic so many of the information we found
may had been biased. Therefore, the report may have taken a different approach and shown
different results had these limitations not been seen.

Results Summary
While in the process of researching the possible solutions to the effects of uranium
mining topic, we discovered some efficient and adequate factors that could lead to
feasible solutions. One such discovery was in a newspaper article from the Albuquerque Journal,
according to the article the Navajo Nation was expecting a ruling for $2.4 billion to clean up 48
abandoned uranium mines back in 2013 (Utterbrouck, 2014). Another discovery was the
guidelines and requirements to run and operate a mining and milling corporation, especially for
uranium, were not strict about termination and clean up policy. We also discovered that living in
these lands contaminated with uranium radiation has severely affected the people. Major health
problems have surfaced in the residents of Mount Taylor and its surrounding areas.
In the first discovery, the money would be used for damages caused by the uranium milling
company, Kerr-McGee Corp. However, the ruling discovered some infidelities and fraudulent
actions between Kerr-McGee and its parent company Anadarko Petroleum Corp., and the ruling
did not pass (Utterbrouck, 2014).
With the second discovery, there were no proper disposal sites within the company. Proper
guidelines about mill tailings, minerals, and waste should be highly required for not only the
health of the people and the surrounding lands but also for the entire world and its future
generations. Within the mill, rock material is crushed, uranium is removed by acidic chemical
extraction and tailings will be disposed of via 6-mile-long pipeline to the disposal area. The Mt.
Taylor tailings disposal area located in La Polvadera Canyon, discharges approximately 1400
gallons/minute of tailings slurry in 'dragline excavated trenches' which are buried after they are
filled. Liquids are collected in settlement ponds where most of the radioactive liquids are
disposed of by evaporation (Golstein, 1980). Approximately 12.6 Million tons of solid tailings
are buried (Golstein, 1980).
The last discovery showed the physical health of the uranium miners and millers, as well as the
non-employees living around that area. Studies were conducted on the miners, millers, and non-
miners employed at the mines, results within those studies showed that the employees with
higher exposure to radioactive wastes were affected more than the employees who experienced
less exposure (Boice Jr, J. D & Cohen, S. S & et al., 2008).
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

Again, those are the factors we found that could lead to possible solutions. Money, strict
requirements, and the health of the people. The next section will discuss each finding in more
detail and in reference to an actual solution.

Figure 3 Trenches of tailing disposals

Results Discussion
The three major findings, or factors, in the last section are feasible and lead to results in
possible solutions to the causes and effects of uranium mining. The first factor was the
fact that the Navajo Nation did not receive any money to clean up and restore the physical land
that the radiation and waste had contaminated. The second factor was that the guidelines about
disposal are not strict. And the last finding was that the health of the people is being affected
greatly.
In reference to the first finding, our first solution is to secure funding for cleanup. Mount Taylor
is considered a sacred mountain to the Navajo people as well as the land surrounding it. The
Navajo Nation did not receive any of the $2.4 billion to clean up the 48 abandoned mines,
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

therefore the mines still have giant mounds of uranium mill tailings contaminating the soil, air,
and groundwater (Utterbrouck, 2014). Money is the only way anything gets done in this world of
capitalism, so in order to actually clean anything at the mine sites, the Navajo Nation needs
money. The Navajo Nation needs lawyers that will fight in court with these companies that have
destroyed the land for their own gains. Having the money will lead to actual results about having
the land cleared of any radiation.
Our second solution is in reference to our second finding in the results summary. The Southwest
Research and Information Center (SRIC) has a program called The Nuclear Waste Program and
this program is dedicated to the support of the health and safety requirements of the Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) operating permit and prevent WIPPs expansion for high-level and
commercial waste. SRIC is in coordination of New Mexicans for Sustainable Energy and
Effective Stewardship (NM SEES), a partnership with citizens that promote involvement in the
completion of cleanup of the state's three Department of Energy's facilities. One analysis of the
milling site on Mount Taylor, was based on assumptions of the groundwater discharge of
materials that underlie the canyon area. The liquids are collected in settlement ponds as well, and
most are evaporated. None of the analysis was based on actual fact and studies should have been
done to calculate the aftermath of dumping radioactive waste in the local environment. So, to
have stricter guidelines with WIPP, more studies similar to calculating the aftermath should be
conducted so dumping in environmental areas could happen less.
The third solution we have is in reference to our last finding; the radiation levels in the land and
water are greatly affecting the physical health of the people living there. Many of these people
have little to no access to screenings and health care for diseases that are caused by the uranium
radiation. Therefore, our solution is for more health care for the victims of these diseases, as well
as more coverage for the screenings and resources for everyone affected.

Recommendations
In conclusion, we believe the benefits of addressing the radioactive legacies of uranium
mining on Mt. Taylor clearly outweigh the social and environmental costs of continuing
misconduct in the uranium milling industry. We recommend the following actions:
Increase safety standards, environmental impact surveys, regulation and monitoring of
uranium project plans.
Provide adequate funding and administration to remediate abandoned mines and
radioactive tailings.
Mandate substantive healthcare resources for communities and individuals adversely
impacted by exposure to uranium.
Acknowledging and remediating the human and ecological costs of uranium mining on Mt.
Taylor has implications for current and future communities. Addressing the present hazards will
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

serve to protect future generations, resources, as well as set appropriate standards for uranium
mining projects going forward.
Thank you for your consideration. Please contact us at your earliest convenience, we look
forward to meeting with you to further discuss our findings and recommendations.
Please call Final Project Team at (505)-555-1515.

Glossary of Terms

High Level Waste (HLW) Radioactive wastes that are the byproducts of uranium mining. The
half-life of these radioactive wastes ranges from 30 years to 2 million years, these wastes require
specific handling and storage.
Uranium Tailings Waste product from uranium mills in the form of radioactive sludge.
Tailings retain as much as 85% of original radioactivity.
Tailings Disposal Area Excavated trenches and evaporation ponds designated for uranium
tailings. Mt. Taylor trenches
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Deep underground disposal site for radioactive waste
located in New Mexico, licensed to dispose of nuclear waste for ten thousand years.
New Mexicans for Sustainable Energy and Effective Stewardship (NM SEES) Citizen
advocacy group which promotes clean-up of radioactive sites in New Mexico, collaborates with
federal agencies to address nuclear waste problems.

References

Boice Jr, J. D & Cohen, S. S & Mumma, M.T & Bandana, C & Blot, W. J (2008,
August 20). Retrieved from Journal of Radiological Protection
http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0952-4746/28/3/002/meta
Fox, S. A. (2014). Downwind : A People's History of the Nuclear West. Lincoln: BisonBooks.
Pp, 9
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Addressing Uranium Mining on Mt. Taylor

Golstein, G. S., Ph.D (1980). Ground Water Discharge Plan Analysis for Mt. Taylor Uranium
Mill Project (Rep. No. Project Plan). NM: Water Pollution Control Bureau.
Haskell, M. (1977). Uranium Radiation Remedial Action (95th Congress, 1st Session, Senate,
pp. 1-6, Rep. No. 95-72).
Utterbrouck, O (2014, February 23) Healing the Land Retrieved from Albuquerque Journal New
Mexico Pp. B1