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Section 26 Abandoned Uranium Mine (AUM)

 
Site Contact:
Randy Nattis
On Scene Coordinator

(nattis.randy@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Haystack, NM 87021
 response.epa.gov/Section_26_AUM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Region 9 is working to protect the residents of the BACA / Haystack 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 BACA / Haystack Chapter area. Uranium ore was mined and taken out of the area. The US EPA is looking at the mine area called the Section 26..

At the Section 26 mine, there are numerous areas of exposed uranium ore / rocks that have been piled up and left scattered through the property. Also at least one old mine adit is visible

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 Section 26 mine. We will share this information and talk with the community about cleanup options once complete.


Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the western part of the area. The entire rock area is over 10 times background. Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the western part of the area. Mine site Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the western part of the area. Yellow covered rocks. Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the southern part of the area. Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the western part of the area. Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the southern part of the area (looking west) Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the southern part of the area (looking west) Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the southern part of the area (looking north) Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the southern part of the area. Section 26 - first assessment - elevated area in the southern part of the area.