The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced the cleanup of uranium mine waste at the Mesa V complex in the Lukachukai Mountains on the Navajo Nation. This effort involves removing 13,000 cubic yards of waste rock from three former mines, part of the Lukachukai Mining District Superfund Site in Cove, Arizona. Arrowhead Contracting, a company owned by the Southern Ute Tribe, has been selected to carry out the work under EPA oversight.
"Removing mine waste at this Superfund site is a significant milestone in EPA’s work to clean up uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation," said Michael Montgomery, EPA Pacific Southwest Region Superfund Director. He added that this action follows earlier cleanup efforts at nearby Cove Transfer Stations and demonstrates EPA's ongoing commitment to safeguarding human health and the environment for the Navajo people.
The area surrounding the Mesa V mine complex is home to many Navajo families and is used for livestock grazing, recreation, and hunting. It holds cultural significance for the Navajo community. If not addressed, uranium waste rock could continue eroding into nearby drainages, affecting both Cove and its watershed.
The EPA will oversee not only the cleanup but also the construction of an on-site repository engineered to contain uranium waste rock safely. An evapotranspiration cap will serve as a permanent cover to prevent rainwater infiltration. Post-cleanup plans include restoring affected areas with native vegetation. The project, estimated at $13 million, is expected to take about a year to complete.
This initiative aligns with Pillar One of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, focusing on ensuring clean air, land, and water for all Americans.
Further details about EPA’s work on abandoned uranium mines in Navajo areas can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/navajo-nation-uranium-cleanup
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