NPR
Nuclear power push ramps up uranium mill — and tribal health concerns
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The U.S. is expanding uranium mining operations in the Western states as part of a federal effort to reduce dependence on Russian uranium imports. The expansion includes increased activity at uranium mills, which process raw ore into fuel. Tribal communities in mining regions have raised concerns about potential contamination of drinking water sources, citing health problems linked to past uranium mining operations in their territories.
