Secret agreement raises alarm over uranium haul through Navajo Nation

April 8, 2025

A confidential agreement between the Navajo Nation and Energy Fuels allows the company to haul uranium ore from its Arizona mine across the Navajo Nation to Utah. Anti-nuclear advocates and residents are concerned that a provision in the agreement could apply to future mining activity at Roca Honda, a proposed mine located in New Mexico near Mount Taylor. The Navajo people consider the mountain sacred and oppose the development of any mines near it. Stephen Etsitty, executive director of the Navajo Environmental Protection Agency, acknowledged the provision in the agreement but stressed the Nation has not endorsed new mining.

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