Grants Mining District in New Mexico
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San Mateo Creek Basin
The legacy uranium mines and mill sites in the Grants Mining District may have contributed to degradation of groundwater quality within the San Mateo Creek Basin. Read more about San Mateo Creek Basin.
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Homestake Mining Company Superfund Site
Uranium milling operations at the Homestake Mining Company site began in 1958. The mill was decommissioned and demolished from 1993 to 1995. Read more about Homestake Mining Company.
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Jackpile-Paguate Mine Superfund Site
Mining operations were conducted from 1953 through early 1982 from three open pits: Jackpile, North Paguate, and South Paguate. Read more about Jackpile-Paguate Mine.
The Grants Mining District was the primary focus of uranium extraction and production activities in New Mexico from the 1950s until the late 1990s. The belt extends along the southern margin of the San Juan Basin in Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval, and Bernalillo Counties as well as on tribal lands.
Several mines in this area are under the jurisdiction of New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, and EPA. EPA is working with state, local, and federal partners to assess and address health risks and environmental effects of the mines. For more information, read The Legacy of Abandoned Uranium Mines in the Grants Mining District, New Mexico.
Geographical Subareas, Maps, and Figures
Mine Sites
- Tronox Mines (former Kerr-McGee Mines)
- Johnny M Mine
- Ambrosia Lake Homestake Mines
- Jackpile-Paguate Mine
Grants Mining District Planning and Community Involvement
- Community Involvement Plans
- First Five-Year Plan
- Second Five-Year Plan
Region-Wide Studies, Investigations, and Technical Documents
Community Cleanups
Health Information
Other State and Federal Resources
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulated Uranium Recovery Sites Decommissioning Page
- Department of Energy Legacy Management
- Department of Energy Defense Related Uranium Mines Program
- New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department – Mining and Minerals Division, Mining Act Reclamation Program
Related Superfund Alternative Approach Sites or NPL Sites
November 14, 16, 2023 Community Meetings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold two, identical community meetings to provide an overview of the draft 2024-2028 Grants Mining District Five-Year Plan.
November 14: 6-7:30 p.m., Village of Milan Fun Room Hall, 407 Airport Road, Village of Milan, NM 87020
November 16: 6-7:30 p.m., San Mateo Catholic Church, in the middle of the village, San Mateo, NM 87020
The meeting will include a review of recent work and an overview of proposed activities for the next five years, followed by an informal question and answer period.
The meetings are being held in a fully accessible facilities. Should you have specific needs or questions about the facility, questions about community outreach, or media inquiries, please contact Adam Weece at 214-665-2264, Weece.adam@epa.gov or toll-free at (800) 533-3508.
You can access the draft Five-Year Plan and other information at this link- https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-10/2024-2028-gmd-five-year-plan-draft-for-public-comment-with-addendum.pdf- or by going to the GMD webpage at https://www.epa.gov/grants-mining-district.
The public comment period on the draft Five-Year Plan will run November 1 - December 1.