Grand Canyon Uranium Mining Banned Until 2030s

The US government has placed a 20 year ban on planned uranium mining programmes around the Grand Canyon's perimeter.

While permitting the continuation of hard-rock mining projects that have already started, the measure absolutely prohibits new digs in public lands lying along the Grand Canyon National Park's edges, extending to over a million acres in size.

Warmly welcomed by conservationists, the news has nonetheless been chastised in some quarters, with claims that it will have an effect on employment levels. As far as the US government is concerned, however, it's the correct approach from an environmental point of view.

US Uranium Mining Ban

While highlighting its displeasure, the National Mining Association has not yet formally challenged the US uranium mining ban.

Uranium lies along the Grand Canyon National Park's periphery in rich quantities and over 3,000 mining claims are currently lodged, with 11 uranium mines presently in operation. In fact, the area's believed to house up to 40 per cent of the entire global uranium reserve, with a combined value of hundreds of millions of dollars.

A two-decade ban - the longest un-renewed period allowed under US law - was put forward by officials in October 2011.

Grand Canyon Uranium Mining

Prior to that, short-term Grand Canyon uranium mining bans had been imposed on two occasions, the first coinciding with the start of Barack Obama's presidency.

"A withdrawal is the right approach for this priceless American landscape", Ken Salazar - US Interior Secretary - stated. "People from all over the country and around the world come to visit the Grand Canyon. Numerous American Indian tribes regard this magnificent icon as a sacred place and millions of people in the Colorado River Basin depend on the river for drinking water [and] irrigation."

"We have been entrusted to care for and protect our precious environmental and cultural resources and we have chosen a responsible path that makes sense for this and future generations", Salazar added, announcing the US government's move during a presentation given at the National Geographic Museum.