Uranium Mining & Reclamation in New Mexico
Goal
To reclaim and remediate abandoned and neglected uranium mines and mills in New Mexico through collaboration and innovation in a way that protects public health, safeguards our environment, and creates economic opportunity for New Mexicans.
The Uranium Reclamation 2024 Strategic Plan, required by NMSA 1978 § 9-7A-16, directs the following initiatives:
- Report to the Legislature, coordinating agencies, and the general public on the status of technical and regulatory aspects of uranium cleanup.
- Develop a workforce to support uranium mines and mill reclamation.
- Ensure sustainable funding for uranium cleanup.
NMED Accomplishments under NMSA §9-7A-16
- NMED finalized the Uranium Reclamation 2024 Strategic Plan in partnership with all listed agencies of House Bill 164 and the Office of the State Engineer. These 12 agencies have committed to pushing uranium cleanup forward in a new, comprehensive approach that accelerates and adds to current efforts.
- NMED performed a Data Gap Analysis in 2023 to inventory the number and status of uranium mines and identify next steps to addressing any mines where a responsible party cannot be found and do not fall under another cleanup program. The analysis evaluated the availability of relevant data, regulatory requirements, and gaps for sites that have remained untouched for decades.
- NMED representatives, including the Uranium Mine Reclamation Coordinator, were added to the Sustainable Economy Advisory Council (SEAC) and Task Force (SET Force) that were created in 2021. NMED led the creation of a three-way Memorandum of Understanding between San Juan College and the Department of Workforce Solutions to create a pilot job training program called Careers Remediating Environmental Waste (CREW). If interested, please contact cwd@sanjuancollege.edu or (505) 566-3121 to schedule an appointment with a career professional who can review your eligibility, funding options and support services.
NMED solicited feedback from numerous employers conducting environmental cleanups or supporting uranium cleanup to inform the initial pilot job training program. This effort concluded in 2024 in a summary document, Employer-led Curriculum Development Report, to inform San Juan College’s development of the CREW program.
- NMED, in partnership with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) Mining and Minerals Division (MMD), released an interactive web mapping tool to increase information access on formerly operating uranium mine and mill sites across New Mexico in January 2024.
The Formerly Operating Uranium Mine and Mill Sites dashboard summarizes basic mine and mill site information, provides any relevant regulatory action under the two agencies’ permitting tracks and displays information for all other sites and federal agencies where available. To date, the central repository provides access to over 800 report files (click on map below).