Cryptocurrency Investment Venture: Trust Mines
In a continued effort to address the environmental and cultural impacts of abandoned mines on the Navajo Nation, the United States and the Navajo Nation have made significant strides in the cleanup process. The Phase 2 Expanded Trust, established in 2022, is now spearheading the investigation and cleanup of 16 priority mines, assessment of 46 mines, and conducting two water studies across all six Navajo AUM Regions.
The Phase 2 Trustee, Derrith Watchman-Moore, was named in 2017 and began investigations at 13 mines located in the Western Agency in 2018. In 2019, she was selected to be the Trustee for the cleanup of the 16 priority mines investigated under the Phase 1 Settlement Agreement. Now, she is conducting investigations at an additional 30 AUMs and is carrying out cleanups for the Phase 1 AUMs, as necessary.
The Phase 1 Trustee, Sadie Hoskie, was selected in 2015 and investigated 16 AUMs. She completed her work in 2018, and her team began engaging with communities and starting investigations at the 16 priority mines. The cleanups for these mines commenced on March 16, 2022.
The U.S. and Navajo Nation entered into two legal agreements, the Phase 1 Settlement and the Phase 2 Settlement, in 2016 and 2015 respectively. These agreements provided funding for investigations at 16 priority mines and necessary cleanups at 16 priority mines, investigations at 30 additional mines, and two water studies at mines on Navajo Nation.
The Phase 2 AUMs are located in the Cameron area, the Black Mesa Mining District, and the Tse Tah area. The first water study was initiated at the Claim 28 mine in the Black Mesa Mining District in 2019. Another water study will be conducted at Saytah/George Simpson 1 Incline mine in the Northern AUM Region.
Community members have an opportunity to participate in the cleanup process and help shape cleanup decisions. The RSE investigation work plans are currently under review for the 30 Phase 2 AUMs, and field work is expected in 2024.
In addition, the Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program performs reclamation activities at 523 mine sites. This ongoing work demonstrates the Navajo Nation's commitment to addressing the environmental and cultural impacts of abandoned mines on their lands.
The Phase 2 Expanded Trust's efforts are a testament to the collaboration between the U.S. and Navajo Nation in addressing the legacy of abandoned mines on the Navajo Nation. The cleanup and assessment of these mines are crucial steps towards a safer and healthier environment for the Navajo Nation community.
