Partial uranium mine ban in Grand Canyon area

President Biden will today create a national monument of nearly 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon. This designation will protect lands important to nearby Native Americans from new uranium mining — a major reason they want the designation.

New mining claims will not be allowed, but “valid existing rights”  will be maintained, which could allow certain uranium mining in the area. Nearly a dozen mines could still open since their claims were established before 2012 even with the monument designation.

The monument in Arizona is the fifth designation in the last 10 months made by the Biden Administration.

A specifically established commission consisting of Federal agencies and a dozen Native American tribes will co-manage the monument.

Uranium mining companies are opposed to the move.