ABANDONED URANIUM MINES AND PROSPECTS

There are about 170 old, abandoned uranium mines and prospects in Custer and Fall River Counties in the southern Black Hills. There are another 100 in Harding County in northwestern South Dakota. They are the legacy of the uranium boom that happened in the 1950s-1970s. These old mines leach radioactive materials into surface and ground water and spread them through the air. Elevated uranium from old mines has been found in sediment in the Cheyenne River as far downstream as Angostura Reservoir, and water sampling in the river shows contamination above the federal government’s “safe” levels.

The Cheyenne River also runs across the northwest corner of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where uranium well contamination and health issues are ongoing problems that have been documented for decades. A number of efforts to solve this problem have had mixed results. Geological study indicates that water in the river can move into underground wells, as happens at a number of locations in the Black Hills. Further downstream, the Cheyenne River also forms the southern boundary of the Cheyenne River Reservation. 

These old mines are an immediate danger to public health, but only a handful have been cleaned up in the 50+ years since uranium mining and milling stopped in western South Dakota.

Health Risks

Uranium is both radioactive and toxic. Once uranium is dug up, it “decays” into different radioactive materials, such as radon and radium. Eventually, it decays into a non-radioactive lead. In the meantime, it emits radioactivity through the air, ingestion, and/or skin – depending on the exact radioactive substance that is involved.

According to extensive research, uranium exposure is associated with damage to the kidneys, nervous system, reproductive system, liver, and bones. It also causes cancer and birth defects. Drinking uranium-contaminated water is linked with increases in blood pressure and hypertension. And recent research shows that higher uranium exposure is linked to an increased risk of congestive heart failure. In short, it attacks people in a broad array of ways.

What’s Next?

Cleaning up South Dakota’s abandoned uranium mines is a priority for public health and wellbeing. Cleaning up the old mines is also a big job that will cost millions of dollars. Part of the problem is that the companies and individuals who originally mined in the Black Hills were not held responsible for clean-up. This was common 50+ years ago, but has lasting impacts. In South Dakota, the responsible companies have long since disappeared or gone bankrupt.

In the southwestern United States, the federal government has been paying for some clean-up of uranium mines. At a number of old uranium mill sites – including Edgemont — where uranium was processed, a federal project has also paid for clean-up. The wastes from the Edgemont mill were buried nearby. In some cases, the federal government is still cleaning up old uranium mills tens of millions of dollars and decades later. But there has been no solution for the Black Hills’ old mines. 

To set the stage for reclamation of the old uranium mines in our area, people have to work together to create a focus on protecting public health and our water supplies. This is requires diverse groups to work together. Black Hills Clean Water Alliance stands ready to work with others toward this goal. If you are also interested in doing this work, contact us HERE.