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Navajo Nation officials lead tour of abandoned uranium sites near Cameron

Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation

During the Cold War, about 30 million tons of uranium were extracted from the Navajo Nation, and by the time it ended, hundreds of mine sites had been abandoned.

Navajo President Jonathan Nez and tribal officials met with Arizona Congressman Tom O'Halleran and others recently to visit abandoned uranium mines near Cameron.

The tribe estimates there are more than 500 such sites, and, although progress has been made, the cleanup for about 300 remains unfunded.

It has also been active in extending legislation to help downwinders and others who have been exposed to radiation.

Ron Dungan was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2020 to 2024.