Development of Uranium Resources in the BLM Uranium States

Uranium Resources in New Mexico

ACQUISITIONMining Claims on Federal Land State Lease Indian Lease Private Mineral (owned or leased)

OPERATIONS Federal Surface Management AgenciesNM Mining and Minerals DivisionIndian Leases (43 CFR 3590)Nuclear Regulatory CommissionEPA/ NMEDState Historic Preservation Division

6New ClaimsIncrease In New Claims FY 04-07 Total New Claims FY 04-07Arizona 161%33,190Colorado1173%11,766New Mexico785%9,883Utah 592%29,572Wyoming762%35,254MMD Permits Filed

ApprovedPendingDenied/Withdrawn

Private124USFS305State200BLM101NM Uranium Facilities (1979)27Private 1State 1Federal 3Laguna Tribal 2Navajo Tribal 1Navajo Trust 1Navajo Trust/Private MineralALL MILLS ON PRIVATE LANDNM State & Federal PermittingBLM and Forest ServiceCasual UseNoticePlan of Operations

MMDMinimal Impact PermitNon-Minimal Impact PermitLegal ConsiderationsDine Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005 (DNRPA)Indian CountryTraditional Cultural Property (TCP)

Environmental, Economic and Political ConsiderationsNavajo NationPueblosAcoma, Zuni, LagunaEastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining (ENDAUM)Southwest Research and Information CenterNM Environmental Law CenterEnvironmental, Economic and Political ConsiderationsCibola and McKinley County GovernmentsGrants City MerchantsEastern Navajo Allottee AssociationGovernor Bill (?)

ConclusionsThe regulatory processes of the various State and Federal agencies need clarification and coordination. ConclusionsBLM NM is responsible for the most Indian mineral acreage with uranium reserves.ConclusionsThe majority of future operations in NM can be expected to be on private land.ConclusionsNM is one of the most politically and environmentally charged states because of the legacy of past uranium mining on Indian lands, especially Navajo lands.Conclusions Political & environmental pressures at all governmental levels could result in a moratorium/regional EIS or even a prohibition on uranium development.

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