Radioactive mine to be filled in

[struggle4progress]

Published: August 2, 2005

By SCOTT JASON

The U.S. Forest Service has released a plan for fixing an abandoned uranium mine near Kennedy Meadows that is leaking radioactive material into a nearby creek. <snip>

While the mine was active, it produced about 500 tons of uranium ore, which was shipped to Utah for processing. E.H. Valk, of Wisconsin, ran the mine starting in 1956 and Garn L. Moody, of Utah, took it over in 1963.

In 1986, the U.S. Forest Service took over the mine and it was deemed a potential hazard. Access to the mine site was blocked in June 2003 after tests showed the site was releasing harmful amounts of radiation. <snip>

"We are concerned about people being on the waste pile and in the (mine) pit," said Brad Shipley, on-scene coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service. He added there was evidence people had camped there and used the area for target practice at one time. <snip>

http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=17976

[Oerdin]

1. So this is naturally occuring uranium ore?

It seems that way. Back filling the mine shaft sounds like the best option but there isn't much else that can be done since the ore is naturally occuring.