Abandoned Uranium Mines Data Gap Analysis – 2023
In February 2022, the New Mexico Legislature passed House Bill 164, which directs the New Mexico Environment Department to coordinate uranium mine cleanup in New Mexico. The bill also required NMED to develop a Uranium Mine Reclamation Coordinator position, tasked with leading the charge for abandoned uranium mine (AUM) cleanup. This report provides examples of neglected AUM sites that have undergone partial assessment and cleanup under existing programs, however, most of these sites have only had surface reclamation conducted through an existing state or federal program. Additional characterization and cleanup may be needed for these example AUM sites.
The data gaps and barriers that exist for addressing neglected AUM sites include the need for a complete inventory, comprehensive site assessments, and definition of the regulatory framework for addressing surface reclamation and groundwater remediation for neglected AUM sites, as well as the lack of an AUM regulatory program and staff, and available funds in the Uranium Mine Reclamation Revolving Fund for cleanup activities. The report also proposes actions for removing barriers and closing the data gaps so that the cleanup of neglected AUM sites in New Mexico is possible.
Uranium Mine and Mill Sites Reclamation Annual Report – 2023
This report fulfills the House Bill 164 (HB164) Section 1(A)(6) (2022) requirement that the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) report on an annual basis to the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee on activities related to uranium mine and mill site reclamation in the preceding year. This includes NMED activities (Section 1) and activities undertaken by 10 other state departments and agencies identified in HB 164 (see Sections 2 and 3). NMED has also included the Office of the State Engineer in this report as their role is integral in the State of New Mexico’s effort to protect human health and the environment. This report briefly summarizes the contributions of the 12 state agencies towards uranium cleanup.