Reclamation eliminated extremely hazardous abandoned mine problems
Reclamation of an abandoned uranium mine located in the Monument Valley was the 1999 National Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award winner. The award winning work was completed by the Navajo Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Department in Window Rock, Arizona. 1940's and 50's underground and surface mining had left abandoned underground mine openings, dangerous highwalls, radioactive waste piles, and undetonated explosives. The radioactive waste was being carried by wind and water and posed very severe dangers to the local Navajos and their livestock. Today, with reclamation complete these hazards are eliminated and the site is being returned to native grazing land. Enlarged Photo (20 KB file)

The site is being returned to it pre-mining land use
Reclamation eliminated 30 mine portals, 7 vertical shafts, back-filled and covered two radioactive mine pits and one water retention pond, and eliminated 65 acres of radioactive mine waste. Today radiation levels are comparable to the natural background. Drainage designs implemented at the project included construction of terraces, furrows, and check dams and resulted in most of the surface runoff being absorbed into the ground. Native plants have been established on the regraded site and when fully established should provide a natural landscape similar to the surrounding area. Enlarged Photo (19KB file)

Completed reclamation blends into the scenic vistas of the Monument Valley
Located within the scenic Monument Valley and surrounded by a landscape of dramatic and colorful monoliths, the completed reclamation blends into the surrounding landscape while eliminating the abandoned mine land hazards. The far-reaching benefits of this reclamation brought pride to both the Navajo construction crew and the community. Enlarged Photo (20 KB file)