Energy Fuels' Uranium Mining Plan in New Mexico Raises Environmental Concerns
Energy Fuels, Inc., a Colorado-based uranium company, has submitted a detailed operations plan to New Mexico officials, indicating its intent to mine uranium near Mount Taylor. The plan involves extracting uranium from deep within the Cibola National Forest and transporting it to a mill in Utah. A significant aspect of the plan includes 'dewatering' the mine, which involves pumping groundwater to access uranium ore, treating it, and then releasing it into the nearby Rio San Jose. This process has raised concerns about potential depletion of the groundwater supply, especially during a prolonged drought. The site is also within the Mount Taylor Traditional Cultural Property, sacred to several Indigenous tribes, including the Navajo and Laguna peoples. The plan has sparked opposition from environmental and Indigenous groups, who are concerned about the environmental and cultural impacts. 
