Mining Threatens Grand Canyon and Other Landmark U.S. Sites, Report Says

Mining companies have exploited outdated U.S. laws to stake claims for gold, uranium, and other minerals at 10 national parks and wilderness areas, including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, according to a report by the Pew Environment Group. While mining operations can legally occur adjacent to, or even within, protected areas under an 1872 law, the frequency of claims has increased in recent years — including a 2,000-percent increase in uranium claims since 2004 — because of rising global demand, the report says. According to U.S. estimates, mining interests take an estimated $1 billion in metals annually from publicly owned land. Claims have also been staked within the borders of Joshua Tree National Park in California, New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness, and near the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The Obama administration sought to remove 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon from further staking of claims for two years in 2009, and it is now considering a 20-year extension. But meanwhile, mining of existing claims can go forward. According to federal officials, there are about 3,500 uranium claims around the canyon.