New Mexico Bans Uranium Mining on 13 Million Acres

New Mexico is choosing people over pollution in a historic move that protects millions of acres from uranium mining damage.

State Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard signed an executive order Friday banning all new uranium mining projects on the 13 million acres of state trust lands under her oversight. The decision puts community health first after decades of environmental harm from the uranium industry.

The timing matters. The Trump administration recently pushed to fast-track federal permits for uranium mining in New Mexico, designating two projects near Mount Taylor as priority developments. Garcia Richard's order blocks new mining proposals from moving forward on state lands while the federal government accelerates extraction elsewhere.

New Mexico bears deep scars from its uranium mining past. During the 20th century, the state produced most of the nation's uranium ore, leaving behind roughly 350 abandoned mine sites that still threaten nearby water sources. About 50 of those contaminated sites sit on state trust lands today.

"New Mexicans have been overlooked by the uranium industry and the federal government for far too long," Garcia Richard said at a Santa Fe news conference Friday. She noted that thousands of abandoned sites still need cleanup while new mining proposals continue emerging in areas like the Grants Mineral Belt, Canjilon, and Pie Town.

The executive order does more than stop new damage. It directs the State Land Office to prioritize cleaning up legacy uranium sites, building on recent progress funded by the state Legislature.

Lawmakers approved $20 million this year for remediation efforts, the second round of dedicated funding for abandoned uranium mines. Previous money helped clean up four abandoned mines on state trust land in McKinley County.

The Ripple Effect

This decision shows how state leaders can protect communities when federal policy falls short. By blocking new uranium projects, New Mexico prevents future contamination while focusing resources on healing land already damaged by extraction.

The order also creates accountability for future leadership. Garcia Richard acknowledged her successor could overturn the ban, but doing so would require publicly justifying why uranium revenue matters more than clean water and healthy communities.

Democrat Juan de Jesus Sanchez III, running to replace Garcia Richard in the November election, attended Friday's announcement and committed to keeping the ban in place if elected. His opponent, Republican Michael Jack Perry, has not stated his position.

The path forward prioritizes remediation over expansion, giving New Mexico a chance to heal from its uranium mining legacy while protecting future generations from repeating past mistakes.