The recent headline and article in the Cibola Citizen about uranium mining (May 28, 2025) caught my attention. As the President and Director of the Clean Energy Association of New Mexico, I must be clear that I am in support of clean domestic energy as a driver of a strong economy and as a basis for the opportunity to create meaningful wealth, including local jobs and business opportunities, for all stakeholders. Our long-term goal is to create opportunities within the nuclear sector in New Mexico that are exclusively supported by ISR technology for uranium extraction. In-Situ Recovery (“ISR”) offers a minimally intrusive, eco-friendly, and economically competitive approach to mineral extraction. It’s a proven, successful technique for extracting uranium, utilized in multiple states across the United States.
I am very aware of the sensitivities that come with the future potential of uranium extraction in New Mexico, much due to the checkered history and its impact on the land and people. I understand that many people have concerns and questions about this technology, and I recognize the importance of providing clear information, answering those questions, and most importantly, ensuring the protection of the water.
My past includes operating a gold company, which bucked the traditional system of drill and finance, and instead built a closed circuit, gravity fed bulk sample plant that only used water to extract gold. When we had a second concentrate with gold remaining, we built a secondary recovery unit and tested a non-toxic replacement to cyanide. It worked. It also changed my views on mining and the need for conventional or traditional techniques.
But even further, we worked closely with the affected First Nations in Canada, produced gold which was then turned into gold coins that featured art from the First Nation artists who were paid in cash, gold and received national recognition for their work. All while negotiating benefits and socio-economic agreements with the First Nations which included significant local benefits. It remains one of the highlights of my career.
At the same time, my husband (Bill) started a uranium company and over time acquired past-producing uranium plants in Texas. These plants now employ about 120 people and extract uranium which they sell to utility companies. These plants do not operate with conventional mining techniques, they use what is called In-Situ Recovery techniques, Latin for ‘in place’. In-Situ Recovery, called ISR, replaces conventional mining with wellfield technology and has been in operation commercially for 50 years. Without open pits, tailings, underground workings, big heavy trucks hauling rocks, dust or exposure to uranium, they instead utilize wellfield technology to remove uranium in liquid form from deep sandstones beneath the water table that are contaminated with uranium. In the United States this is typically done without the use of harsh chemicals – existing contaminated groundwater combined with oxygen liquifies the uranium which coats sand in the aquifer – uranium likes being liquid.
Once I became immersed in the world of ISR, I was convinced. The concept, removing uranium from groundwater using a system that functions much like a giant water softener, seemed almost too simple to be true. But it’s real, and it took the expertise of many skilled chemical engineers to refine and perfect. The process has also proven its ability to reclaim sites efficiently and effectively.
Now this is a simplified version of a process that now is globally responsible for ~60% of uranium extraction in the world. Sadly, almost all of it comes from other countries, some not our allies. And as the world’s largest consumer of uranium for nuclear energy (20% of the electricity in the US) we use ~48 million pounds and produce about 1 million pounds. Hardly an energy source to build a vibrant economy here. Of importance, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has stated that there has never been an incident of contamination of drinking water from the ISR process.
I respectfully understand the negative impacts of historical conventional uranium mining in New Mexico, much of before the implementation of important agencies including the EPA, and the impacts it has had on the people and the land. To be honest, I find it hard to envision conventional uranium mining in New Mexico in my lifetime. But I see an opportunity that if done right, with ISR technology, can responsibly remove uranium from the right geological conditions and contaminated underground aquifers. Again, done right, this has the ability to create wealth in local communities, create education and employment opportunities, revive healthy rural communities and generate tax revenue.
But I am not naïve, and I know not everyone will agree but we need more candid discussions. Like any technology, ISR is not perfect and we do look at ways to improve and lessen the environmental impact. A good example of this is Grants Energy’s proposed use of horizontal ISR wells to further minimize surface disturbance. I think it’s worth learning more about ISR and its potential to truly unlock opportunities in New Mexico, a State gifted by Mother Nature with an abundance of uranium. I would be honored to talk to anyone who wants to learn more. I do not expect everyone to agree and at CLEAN, we are not trying to do anything other than provide information so people can make their own decisions. If you want to reach out my email is jsheriff@CleanNM.org or you can check out our website at www.CleanNM.org. Happy to talk.
Janet Lee Sheriff
President, Clean Energy Association of New Mexico
ABOUT CLEAN: The Clean Energy Association of New Mexico (“CLEAN”) provides education, awareness and innovative tools to support a strong and safe nuclear energy sector that is sensitive to the environment and communities in which we live and work. Our mandate, as we work together, is to build sustainable economic benefits for the local communities and the State while respecting the land, water, air and people of New Mexico.
Our vision at CLEAN is to advocate for a safe, environmentally friendly and cost-effective industry that enables the people of New Mexico to benefit from the resources within their land in a safe and sustainable manner. We aim to educate on the benefits of nuclear energy, highlighting it’s advancement in safety through the use of innovative In-Situ Recovery (“ISR”) technology, known for its exemplary safety record and minimal environmental footprint.
We want to empower the people of New Mexico by fostering economic growth through educational initiatives, innovative technical solutions and create meaningful impact within the community by actively engaging in various outreach initiatives. This includes launching workshops, granting scholarships, working with elders and establishing a curriculum to educate youth; with a focus on sustainable, clean technologies.
