EPA Superfund Site

JACKPILE-PAGUATE URANIUM MINE

NM | EPA ID NMN000607033

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of November 2024, there is insufficient information to determine the site-wide Human Exposure Control status at the Jackpile-Paguate Superfund site. The site was finalized on the NPL on December 12, 2013 and an evaluation of the human health exposure indication has not yet occurred. The site underwent reclamation under a Department of the Interior (DOI) Record of Decision (ROD); however, insufficient information is available to determine if HE is under control. The site has been under a Remedial Investigation since July 2017. There are also access restrictions onto the mine site and onto the Pueblo lands in general, and human receptors are not allowed general access. The site is currently sampling for uranium mine related contaminants (i.e., radionuclides, uranium, and other mining related metals, airborne dust particulates, gross alpha radiation, in all media.)
Activities associated with collecting sufficient information to make a human exposure evaluation, including those that pertain to conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) are ongoing. A limited and phased scoping activity is underway. EPA will ensure any unacceptable exposures are addressed. Potential contaminant sources could originate from reclaimed areas undergoing erosional processes. A determination is anticipated soon after the Remedial Investigation is completed. Multimedia is being collected at the site (i.e., soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater). The RI/FS is anticipated to be completed no sooner than Nov 2027 and before a Human Exposure determination can be made.