Geo-Spatial Viewer:
Section32_AUM
Abandoned Uranium Mines - Sections 32 and 33 Mines
Section - S32
Township - T15N
Range - R11W
Quarter section(s)
NWNE, SWNE, NENE, SENE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Region 9 is working to protect the residents of Casamero Lake Chapter by cleaning up leftover mine waste from past uranium mining operations.
Uranium mining operations occurred throughout the Navajo Nation from the 1940s to the 1980s. The Cobb Nuclear Company operated uranium mines in the Casamero Lake Chapter area. Uranium ore was mined and taken out of the area. The US EPA is looking at two mines called the Section 32 and Section 33 mines.
At the Section 32 mine, there is an unfenced deep mineshaft at the southeast portion of the site. At the Section 33 mine, there are mining waste piles that contain some leftover uranium ore.
The leftover uranium ore has more radiation than the surrounding area and people should avoid touching it or walking near the mines.
The USEPA Region 9 Superfund Emergency Response Section will conduct a preliminary assessment of uranium ore and mining waste at the two mines. We will share this information and talk with the community about cleanup options.
September 2012
Based on removal site evaluation, USEPA will take a removal action. Additional information can be found in the POLREPS and Removal Site Evaluation report located in the document section.