Section 9 Lease Mines
The Section 9 Lease Mines are three abandoned uranium mine sites located near the Little Colorado River in Northern Arizona. The mines are located just outside the Navajo Nation and are about 10 miles southeast of Cameron, AZ. Under a 2016 Administrative Order on Consent, Babbitt Ranches agreed to perform a Removal Site Evaluation on the two mines on their property.
Background
Site Facts
- The Section 9 Lease mines are three separate abandoned uranium mines.
- The remnants of a concrete structure called an “upgrader” remain on the furthest north site. This site is also a “priority mine”.
- Babbitt Ranches is responsible for the mines on their property.
Site Documents
- Maps
- Fact Sheets (Western AUM Region)
- Technical Reports
- Legal Documents and Settlements
Site Contacts
Remedial Project Manager
Estrella Armijo
(armijo.estrella@epa.gov)
(415) 972-3859
Community Involvement Coordinator
Elsa Johnson
(johnson.elsa@epa.gov)
(415) 947-3552
The Section 9 Lease Mines were operated in the late 1950s and early 1960s and include Abandoned Uranium Mines (AUM) 457, 458, and 459. The mines are located about 10 miles southeast of the Cameron, AZ, and are away from population centers. AUM 457, the farthest north of the three sites, also includes a concrete structure called an “upgrader”, which was meant to increase the concentration of uranium in the ore from local mines. AUM 457 is a priority mine site based on its potential impacts on the Little Colorado River.
In 2016, EPA signed a legal agreement called an Administrative Order on Consent with Babbitt Ranches. In this document, Babbitt Ranches agreed to place warning signs and perform an assessment called a Removal Site Evaluation on AUMs 457 and 458. AUM 458 is entirely on Babbitt Ranches property, while AUM 457 is partially on Babbitt Ranches property and partially on land administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. Babbitt Ranches also agreed to investigate whether contamination from AUM 459 is now located on their property.
EPA and Babbitt Ranches will continue to work with local officials to identify community members with Homesite Leases and Grazing Permits near the site, and to keep them updated on site activities. EPA is also committed to providing information to Cameron Chapter officials and other interested individuals.
Current Field Work
Babbitt Ranches began field work on the Section 9 Lease Mines in 2017, under EPA oversight. Field work to date includes:
- Biological and Cultural Resource Surveys
- Placing warning signs at the sites
- Gamma radiation scanning
- Background study
Cleanup Progress Timeline
The Section 9 Lease mines were operated in the 1950s and 1960s. Under the 2016 Administrative Order on Consent, Babbitt Ranches agreed to perform assessments at the two abandoned uranium mine sites on their property. Click on the different years below to learn about recent and upcoming activities.
2012
EPA completes a Preliminary Assessment of the Section 9 Lease abandoned uranium mines
2014
EPA completes a Site Inspection of the Section 9 Lease abandoned uranium mines
2016
EPA signs a legal agreement with Babbitt Ranches to perform assessments on mines on their property
2017
- Babbitt Ranches completes cultural and biological clearances ahead of site work
- Babbitt Ranches places warning signs at the sites
- Babbitt Ranches begins gamma radiation and background studies
Site Photographs
The Section 9 Lease Mines are three abandoned uranium mines sites located near the Little Colorado River in Northern Arizona. The mines are located just outside the Navajo Nation and are about 10 miles southeast of Cameron, AZ. Under a 2016 Administrative Order on Consent, Babbitt Ranches agreed to perform a Removal Site Evaluation on the two mines on their property.