Uranium Mining Cleanup Reform

The Colorado Court of Appeals ordered the cleanup of the Van 4 mine in Southwestern Colorado, a former uranium mine that has sat dormant since 1989. This court ruling affirms a Colorado state law that requires reclamation of mines within 10 years of ceasing production. Sheep Mountain Alliance (SMA) joined The Information Network for Responsible Mining (INFORM) and Earthworks in suing the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. 

These groups decided to sue after the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board granted the Van 4 mine an extended period of “temporary cessation,” despite the mine laying dormant for more than 10 years. Though the law allows the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board to grant back-to-back five year “temporary cessation” periods, Van 4 sat dormant for more than 10 years prior to these cessation requests. Though a 1977 Colorado law requires mines to be fully reclaimed after mining ends, this law was not enforced for many years. This loophole allowed many mines, including the Van 4 mine to avoid reclamation for over 10 years. Van 4 is owned by Pinon Ridge Mining LLC, a subsidiary of Western Uranium & Vanadium. Pinon Ridge Mining LLC claimed “mines haven't been operating due to low commodity prices.”

The Van 4 mine is located in a critical habitat for Gunnison Sage Grouse, and on an active grazeland for cattle and wildlife. Unfortunately wildlife and cattle has continued despite mine waste laying unreclaimed for years. Our own Lexi Tuddenham is quoted saying, “Cleaning up old mines is important to the regional economy that is reliant on public lands. Reclamation projects also create jobs in rural communities that are trying to diversify their economies. We’re pleased with this decision because it provides local benefits while helping us create a regional economy where conservation and recreation strike a balance with traditional industries.

The decision will potentially lead to future cleanup of the many more mines in Colorado that have avoided cleanup through this loophole of “temporary cessation.” According to the Colorado Independent there are 29 active uranium mines in Colorado with 16 of those currently under “temporary cessation” designation. Check out the links for deeper information, and follow Sheep Mountain Alliance for updates.