nuclear-news

After decades, uranium mining areas still radioactive

Enviros: Uranium mines still too hot CYNDY COLE AZ Daily Sun , February 20,
Local environmentalists said Thursday’s findings on past uranium mining confirmed what they suspected: That it led to uranium contamination on the Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon, and that mining is not safe.

“Where there was mining activity, they found contamination. Where there wasn’t mining activity, they didn’t find contamination,” said Roger Clark, who handles air and energy programs for the Grand Canyon Trust……….

Dust, ore and soil from mine sites — reclaimed and particularly one that is not — showed radiation and uranium at higher levels at the mine sites than across the landscape on average.

The “hottest” in radioactive terms was a mine along Kanab Creek that has not been backfilled, and is in a state that it could possibly be re-opened.

Dust from that mine was blowing around the area in the form of dust devils as researchers sampled.

All Arizona Strip mine sites sampled had uranium levels higher than the surrounding areas averaged, said Jim Otton, a USGS researcher who helped draft the report.

Enviros: Uranium mines still too hot

February 25, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, USA | cancer, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium