Mining District in Lukachukai Mountains: Involvement of Cove, Lukachukai, and Round Rock Chapters, Navajo Nation, Arizona

The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District, located within the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona, is a historic Superfund site that poses ongoing environmental and health hazards due to abandoned uranium mines left unremediated after the Cold War[1].

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Navajo Nation authorities have been actively involved in assessing and managing the contamination in different Operable Units (OUs) within the district. However, specific details about the progress of each Operable Unit's remediation, such as cleanup completion percentages or specific actions taken, are not readily available[4].

Some zones, likely referring to areas within impacted Navajo lands, are still under "Go" status requiring evacuation due to safety risks, indicating ongoing remediation or hazard management efforts are still in progress[2].

The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District site includes more than one hundred piles of mine waste rock contaminated with radium-226, uranium, and other heavy metals[2]. Past ore hauling activities have spread contamination along miles of historical ore haul roads. Waste from the piles has migrated downstream in washes and may have impacted groundwater[6].

In 2024, EPA received funding and began the Remedial Investigation of 11 fund lead mines under Operable Unit 1[7]. The agency is also completing the cleanup of the Cove Transfer Station 1 and 2 utilizing funding from the Tronox Settlement[8]. EPA completed an investigation and removal action plan for the Cove Day School[9].

The community includes people in rural areas around Cove, Lukachukai, Red Valley, and Round Rock, many of whom have seasonal sheep camps and graze livestock near the mine site in the Lukachukai Mountains. On March 5, 2024, the EPA listed the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District on the National Priorities List (Superfund List)[10].

Community members have the opportunity to become involved in the cleanup activities and help shape cleanup decisions. EPA and Navajo Nation EPA (NNEPA) meet regularly with residents and other community members about work at the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District sites. They work with community leaders such as council delegates, chapter, grazing and land board officials, responsible company liaisons, and community members for outreach activities and information sessions[11].

In 2025, EPA completed a Community Involvement Plan for the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District site[12]. The site continues to have partnerships with various organizations such as the Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Program, Northern Arizona University, and Diné College[13]. Documents for EPA's listing of the site are available at the information repositories on the Navajo Nation and online at EPA's Superfund Site Information website[14].

For more information, contact: - Kenyon Larsen (larsen.kenyon@our website, (415) 972-3105) - Evan Lloyd (lloyd.evan@our website, (831) 498-8924) - Elsa Johnson (johnson.elsa@our website, (415) 947-3105)

The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District site remains a focus of ongoing cleanup and community engagement efforts to address the legacy of contamination in the area.

[1] Navajo Nation Abandoned Uranium Mines. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.navajonationabandoneduraniummines.com/ [2] Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nnavajoepa.org/ [3] Navajo Nation Council. (2021, March 16). Navajo Nation Council approves bill to restrict uranium transport on tribal lands. Retrieved from https://navajonationcouncil.org/navajo-nation-council-approves-bill-to-restrict-uranium-transport-on-tribal-lands/ [4] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [5] Navajo Nation. (n.d.). 2025 DEA Family Summit. Retrieved from https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/Health/DEA/DEA-Family-Summit.html [6] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [7] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [8] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [9] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [10] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [11] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [12] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [13] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245 [14] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Lukachukai Mountains Mining District. Retrieved from https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0305245

The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District, a historic Superfund site in northeast Arizona, is under ongoing environmental and health hazards due to abandoned uranium mines.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Navajo Nation authorities work together to assess and manage contamination within the district, located within the Navajo Nation.
Specific details about each Operable Unit's remediation progress, such as cleanup completion percentages, are not readily available.
Some zones within affected Navajo lands remain under 'Go' status, requiring evacuation due to safety risks.
The site includes over one hundred piles of mine waste rock contaminated with radium-226, uranium, and other heavy metals.
Past ore hauling activities have spread contamination along miles of historical ore haul roads.
Waste migration from piles has impacted groundwater and waterways downstream.
In 2024, EPA received funding and began the Remedial Investigation of 11 fund lead mines under Operable Unit 1.
The agency is also completing the cleanup of the Cove Transfer Station 1 and 2 using funding from the Tronox Settlement.
EPA completed an investigation and removal action plan for the Cove Day School.
The community, including residents of Cove, Lukachukai, Red Valley, and Round Rock, has seasonal sheep camps and livestock grazing near the mine site.
On March 5, 2024, the EPA listed the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District on the National Priorities List (Superfund List).
Community members are invited to get involved in cleanup activities and help shape cleanup decisions.
EPA and Navajo Nation EPA (NNEPA) meet regularly with residents and other community members for discussions about work at the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District sites.
In 2025, EPA completed a Community Involvement Plan for the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District site.
The site continues partnerships with organizations such as the Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Program, Northern Arizona University, and Diné College.
Documents for EPA's listing of the site are available at the information repositories on the Navajo Nation and online at EPA's Superfund Site Information website.
For more information, contact Kenyon Larsen, Evan Lloyd, or Elsa Johnson.
The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District site remains the focus of ongoing cleanup and community engagement efforts.
The Navajo Nation Council has passed a bill restricting uranium transport on tribal lands.
The Navajo Nation hosts annual DEA family summits to address health issues.
The site continues to pose ongoing environmental and health risks, including air, water, and surface water contamination.
Science, particularly environmental science, plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing the impact of mining activities on the environment.
Climate-change studies may help predict the long-term effects of mining activities and the potential for contamination migration.
Manufacturing industries, including mining, should take responsibility for addressing the legacy of contamination in impacted areas.
The Navajo Nation EPA focuses on enforcing regulations and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Investing in the clean-up of Superfund sites can lead to improvements in air, water, and surface water quality, as well as potential economic benefits.
The local retail industry can support the community's needs for cleaning products, personal protective equipment, and other items required during the cleanup process.
Interior designers can contribute to sustainable residential spaces by incorporating eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs.
Cooking methods, such as grilling outdoors or using clean-burning stoves, can help reduce air pollution in the community.
Sustainable transportation options, like walking, biking, or using electric vehicles, can help reduce the district's carbon footprint.
Adopting a sustainable lifestyle, which includes eating local, organic food, reducing waste, and conserving energy, can contribute to the overall health of the environment and community.

Mining District in Lukachukai Mountains: Involvement of Cove, Lukachukai, and Round Rock Chapters, Navajo Nation, Arizona