Background

The Ruby Mines #1-4 were operated between September 1975 and February 1985 by Western Nuclear, Inc. The four mines were next to each other and mined by underground methods. Total ore production from the four mines is estimated at approximately one-million tons. Ore from Ruby Mines #2 and #4 were transported through Ruby Mines #1 and #3, respectively. Ore from the mines was transported offsite for processing. Waste rock from mining operations was placed outside the adits of Ruby Mines # 1 and #3.

Western Nuclear, Inc. completed reclamation efforts at the Ruby Mines in 1985 by covering the waste rock with clean soil under the direction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Results of Investigation

Western Nuclear investigated the mines by sampling soils on the surface and under the ground and by scanning with a radiation detector. The two mines have approximately 200,000 cubic yards of mine waste containing radium and uranium at levels that could pose a health risk. The mine waste is primarily buried in the waste piles at the sites, with very little waste scattered outside of the piles.

Next Steps

EPA will work with Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (NNEPA), Western Nuclear, Inc. (the company responsible for the mining operations and cleanup) and the community to evaluate potential options to address the hazards posed by the mine waste. The evaluation will be presented in a report called the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA).

Community Involvement

Residents of the Smith Lake Chapter and other surrounding areas, have a say in what EPA is doing in their community.  EPA works with community members and gives them the opportunity to become involved in EPA’s activities and help shape decisions made that affect their community.

Who is the Community?

Ruby Mines are located in the Smith Lake Chapter of the Navajo Nation, approximately 8 miles north of Thoreau, N.M. There are three homes located approximately one-quarter mile from Ruby Mine #1 and several homes located approximately one mile from Ruby Mine #3.

EPA Current Community Involvement Activities

• Developed a Community Involvement Plan;
• Meets with people living nearest the mines in their homes;
• Distributes fact sheets describing work at the mines.
• Attends chapter meetings.
• Meets with chapter officials, listen to concerns, and provides updates on site work that may affect the community.

EPA Past Community Involvement Activities

• EPA, NNEPA and Western Nuclear, Inc. have discussed the site at three chapter meetings in 2014 and 2015. EPA will be working with the community in 2016 to develop a Community Involvement Plan.
• In June and July 2016, EPA and NNEPA conducted interviews for a Community Involvement Plan with chapter officials and residents.

Partnerships

EPA conducts its work in close coordination with the Smith Lake community, Navajo agencies and educational institutions, as well as other federal agencies.

Cleanup Progress Timeline

The mines were operated between 1975 and 1985. Western Nuclear consolidated the waste material into piles at the two mine sites and placed a soil cover over the waste and then revegetated the areas in 1985. This process is called reclamation.