US Govt Proposes Halting Uranium Mining Near Grand Canyon

The U.S. Interior Department proposed Monday a two-year suspension of new mining claims on Arizona lands near the Grand Canyon National Park pending further study into whether such lands should be permanently protected from development.

The Interior Department said it is taking public comments on its proposal to take nearly 1 million acres of federal land off the table for new uranium mining.

About 10,600 current mining claims are located in the proposed withdrawal area and several proposed uranium mining operations are waiting for approval from the state of Arizona, the agency said. The proposed removal of the area from uranium mining wouldn't affect any other activities on the land, the agency said.

The lands contain uranium deposits that could be in high demand as U.S. companies gear up to build several new nuclear power plants. However, the Grand Canyon area also attracts more than 4 million visitors a year, is home to rare and protected plant and animal species and is considered sacred by American Indians who live there, the agency pointed said.