By Emery Cowan | Arizona Daily Sun
Elevated levels of uranium measured in soil near a northern Arizona uranium mine are spurring state regulators to reevaluate dust and air pollution controls for three Grand Canyon-area mines.
The high readings were taken at Pinenut Mine, about 10 miles north of the Grand Canyon. Uranium concentrations at one location near the mine measured more than four times background levels twice in a row. After receiving notice of the elevated readings, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality suspended work on air quality permit renewals for Pinenut mine and two others near the Grand Canyon that are all owned by Energy Fuels Resources.