The Navajo and Uranium Mining By: Jared Beagley

Why Uranium? During World War II, the Manhattan Project led by Albert Einstein was formed  Their task was to create a high-power weapon for use against the Germans Uranium is a chemical element which can be used to develop nuclear weapons Because of this, Uranium became a high-demand item

This is a uranium rock. Uninformed of the health hazards, Navajo workers mined Uranium, built homes with it, and drank Uranium-laced water for many years. This is a retired Navajo Uranium miner suffering from respiratory issues. He was never informed of the risks. For many years, he worked in Uranium mining unaware that for every year he spent working in there, 3 months of his life would be lost.

Why the Navajo? Because of its high demand, it was difficult and expensive for the U.S. Government to secure Uranium from other nations The Navajo tribe's lands contain the biggest supplies of Uranium in the U.S. From 1986 to 1994 alone, 3.9 million tons of Uranium has been mined from Navajo lands Navajo workers could be exploited by the U.S. Gov. due to economic struggles and lack of knowledge on the risks of Uranium

This is known as a HazMat Suit. It is standard attire for handling of hazardous materials. This is what you would likely see on a miner aware of the hazards of Uranium. This is a Navajo miner. This Is what he wore to work in the Uranium mines of his Navajo Homelands for many years.

Disaster! 1979 – Church Rock, AZ: Worst accidental release of radioactive waste in U.S. History. 90 Million gallons toxic liquid, 1,100 tons of toxic mill waste spill into Rio Puerco River. The Rio Puerco River is still unusable today.

What Was the Damage? Over 600 Navajo Uranium miners have died from illnesses caused by Uranium mining. Hundreds more have been diagnosed with respiratory issues, lung cancer, kidney toxicity and other diseases resulting from Uranium. Mining for Uranium stopped during the 1970's. However, the Navajo Nation has reported over 1,300 abandoned mines and waste sites.

This is just one of 1,300 abandoned Uranium mine sites on Navajo lands. Navajo children still run and play around these mines and are threatened by the lingering health effects of Uranium.