North American Member News August 2024

This followed a challenge by the Navajo Nation regarding the legality of transport of the material across the Navajo Nation’s land. On July 31, 2024, the president of the Navajo Nation issued an executive order banning the transport of radioactive material through its territory without a prior agreement. The order cited Navajo laws regarding protection of natural resources and transport of radioactive materials. The order was signed following transport of uranium ore by Energy Fuels through tribal lands. Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation are reported to be negotiating to resolve the issue.

In late August, the Navajo Nation approved legislation to strengthen a tribal law that regulates the transportation of radioactive material across the Navajo reservation. The updated law calls for more advance notification of plans to ship uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine in northern Arizona to a mill in Utah. The payment of transport fees and the filing of emergency preparedness plans also are among the mandates.