The former Johnny M Mine underground uranium mine was operated by Ranchers Exploration and Development, which merged with Hecla Mining Company in 1984. Active mining and production occurred from 1972-1982. The mine used mill waste from the Kerr McGee Mill for underground structural support from 1977-1982 under license from the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division.  Regulatory oversight was transferred to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 1986. The NRC terminated the Material Source License in 1993 upon completion of limited closure and reclamation.

Documents below describe EPA activity at the site. 

• Johnny M Administrative Order on Consent (PDF)(228 pp, 6 MB)
  This Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent is entered into voluntarily by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Hecla Limited and New Mexico Land, LLC. This Settlement Agreement provides for the performance of a removal action and the reimbursement of certain response costs incurred by the United States at or in connection with the Johnny M Mine Area generally located near San Mateo, McKinley County, New Mexico.
• Johnny M Action Memo Amendment (PDF)(2 pp, 719 K)
• Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis of a Removal Action at the Johnny M Mine and Adjacent Properties (PDF)(138 pp, 28 MB, June 2015, SEMS ID 9828522)
  This Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) evaluates alternatives for a non-time-critical removal action at the Johnny M Mine and adjacent properties (project area) located in McKinley County, New Mexico (NM).