A communications disagreement between the Navajo Nation Leadership, the Arizona State Government, and the mining corporation Energy Fuels Resource has led to a tug-of-war over the rights to transport uranium from Pinyon Plain Mine just south of the Grand Canyon, across Navajo Lands, to the White Mesa Mill in southern Utah.
In reporting by KNAU, Navajo Nation Leadership led by President Buu Nygren asserted that the mining corporation did not notify them, per a prior agreement, when a consignment of uranium was shipped last week.
Energy Fuels Resources maintains that they did notify the Navajo leadership at a tribal meeting in July. Later in reporting by KJZZ, Energy Fuels said that “it isn’t required to provide any notice and it didn’t agree to do so.”
Nygren issued an executive order forbidding future uranium transport across Navajo lands to counter future shipments.
Navajo Law Enforcement has dedicated patrols to stop Energy Fuel Resources from any perceived violations of the earlier agreements.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a series of statements critical of Energy Fuels including:
Governor Katie Hobbs and her office interceded as the squabble intensified and reported, again via social media, that a six-month shipping pause had been concluded between all parties.
President Nygren, who participated in a protest on August 2 with his wife in opposition to future uranium transports, posted:
Attorney General Mayes’s office also released a statement from her office after meeting with Executives from Energy Fuels:
“On Friday, Attorney General Mayes met with executives of Energy Fuels and made it clear she expects them to negotiate with all stakeholders, including the Navajo Nation and Coconino County, in a transparent and good-faith manner before any further transportation of uranium occurs.
Attorney General Mayes also made it abundantly clear during the meeting that the lack of communication and transparency from Energy Fuels to Tribal nations and local officials in northern Arizona is unacceptable. In the meeting, Attorney General Mayes also instructed the company to quickly provide the emergency preparedness plan the company has developed to stakeholders as requested.
Attorney General Mayes will continue to do everything in her power to ensure respect for Tribal sovereignty and the safety of Arizona communities.”
It is totally understandable, given the history of prior uranium mining and contamination on the Navajo population that the local populace would look with apprehension on Energy Fuels playing fast and loose and reneging on its commitments to communicate when shipments across their lands would occur.
Corporations do not have the right to run rough shots over vulnerable populations.
They should never be allowed to take shortcuts with public safety.
Kudos to all the state and tribal leaders who put a stop to this latest example of corporate greed.
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