The resolution marks a significant shift in local energy policy, emphasizing the potential for extracting uranium without the environmental footprint of traditional mining. Unlike conventional open-pit or underground methods, In-Situ Recovery utilizes wellfield technology to target sandstone-hosted deposits. According to the Clean Energy Association of New Mexico (CLEAN), this process avoids the creation of tailings, which remain a primary concern for local stakeholders.
In section Releases
Cibola County Backs Uranium Extraction via In-Situ Recovery
The Cibola County Board of Commissioners has officially recognized the strategic value of the Grants Mineral Belt, passing a resolution that supports the use of In-Situ Recovery technology for uranium extraction. This move aligns local policy with the growing push for environmentally responsible mineral development in New Mexico.
CLEAN President Janet Lee-Sheriff praised the commissioners for their research-driven approach, noting that the extraction method carries the added benefit of remediating contaminated sources. While the technology accounts for roughly 60% of global uranium extraction, its implementation remains subject to rigorous state and federal oversight. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintains that the process has a clean record regarding the contamination of drinking water, a key point for public confidence as projects transition into the regulatory review phase.
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