Navajo Nation reaches agreement with mining company over uranium ore transport
A view of the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon. The mine has operated since the 1980s but mined its first batch of uranium ore in 2024. Photo by Blake McCord via Grand Canyon Trust
After months of negotiation, the Navajo Nation and Energy Fuels Inc. have signed an agreement allowing the transport of uranium ore along federal and state highways throughout the Navajo Nation, with transportation set to resume in February.
'We have a settlement agreement that will allow the Navajo Nation to monitor and inspect the haul trucks and that provides financial compensation for the expenses to improve safety and protect the environment,' Stephen Etsitty, executive director of the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency, said in a press release.
The agreement comes nearly six months after Energy Fuels, Inc., voluntarily halted transportation following the company's first transport through the Navajo Nation with little notice to the tribe. The company then entered into negotiations with the Navajo Nation in August 2024 after the tribe condemned their actions.
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Energy Fuels President and CEO Mark Chalmers said he is honored that the Navajo Nation is willing to work with the company in good faith to 'address their concerns and ensure that uranium ore transportation through the Navajo Nation will be done safely and respectfully.'
The agreement has not been made public, but a press release issued by Energy Fuels outlines some of the details.
The mining company said it has agreed to add additional protections and accommodations in addition to the existing U.S. Department of Transportation requirements, which include limiting transportation to specified routes and hours of the day and not transporting on days involving celebrations or public events.
The company also said it would follow clear emergency response procedures, abide by notice and reporting requirements, carry additional insurance and give its drivers extra training and qualifications, including obtaining Navajo Nation transport licenses.
The company also said it agreed to use state-of-the-art cover systems — instead of the tarps it had previously said it would use — to prevent uranium ore dust from blowing out of transport trucks, establish provisions for escorts and blessings at the discretion of the Navajo Nation, and additional inspection procedures that will enable the Navajo Nation to ensure that all applicable rules and agreements are being satisfied.
'We appreciate the sincere approach the Energy Fuels' negotiation team took with the Navajo Nation,' said Heather Clah, acting attorney general of the Navajo Nation. 'They demonstrated a genuine understanding for the Navajo Nation's and the Navajo People's trauma regarding uranium and engaged as a partner in good faith to build a trusting relationship.'
The Navajo Nation stretch of the Pinyon Plain Mine's approved uranium ore transportation route is more than half of the roughly 320-mile journey, with a total of 174 miles traveled on major state routes through Navajo land.
'This agreement isn't just about resolving a conflict; it's a commitment to protecting future generations, respecting Tribal sovereignty and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued,' Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a press release.
'Today marks an important step forward for our communities and shows what is possible through collaboration, partnership, and a shared commitment to public safety,' Hobbs added. 'I'm proud to have brought Energy Fuels and Navajo Nation to the table so they could come to an agreement that addresses the Nation's long-standing concerns and includes enhanced emergency response plans.'
As part of the agreement, Energy Fuels committed to transporting up to 10,000 tons of uranium-bearing cleanup materials from abandoned uranium mines across the Navajo Nation.
They have also agreed to support the Navajo Nation's transportation safety programs, education, environment, public health and welfare, and local economic development related to uranium issues. Details about the specific type of support were not provided.
'We are proud to be a part of a historic agreement with the Navajo Nation, and we are committed to fulfilling our promises to them,' Chalmers said. 'We hope this agreement marks the beginning of a constructive relationship that restores trust with our neighbors while also paving the way for future collaborations on cleanups and other areas of shared interest.'
According to Energy Fuels, the company has safely hauled several hundred thousand tons of uranium ore and other materials along state and federal highways that cross the Navajo Nation between 2007 and 2024, with no incidents resulting in the spillage or release of ore.
'Measures outlined in the agreement provide additional layers of protection for the Navajo and others, beyond the rigorous standards set by the USDOT,' the company stated in a press release.
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