Hunt Valley, Maryland (26 August 2025)—EA has been selected as a contract awardee under New Mexico’s groundbreaking Abandoned Uranium Mine Reclamation Program. The state is home to hundreds of abandoned uranium mines, many of which have posed long-standing environmental and health risks to nearby communities. This 4-year, $6.5 million professional services contract is administered by the New Mexico Environment Department with the goal of protecting human health and the environment by reclaiming and restoring uranium mining sites. EA is committed to utilizing a New Mexico-based workforce to maximize the economic benefit of state government funding to the state.
EA has been tasked with leading the environmental site assessment, cleanup, and closure of the abandoned Schmitt Decline Uranium Mine near Milan, New Mexico, marking a historic milestone in the state’s efforts to address legacy contamination from abandoned uranium mines.
“EA leveraged its hard rock mine reclamation experience to lead one of the initial three uranium mine reclamation projects under the new contract,” said Jay Snyder, Vice President at EA. “We are honored to be among the firms selected to implement this important work and look forward to partnering with the State of New Mexico to expedite a safe, science-based, and a community-informed solution.”
The Schmitt Decline Mine is the first abandoned mine to move forward under the state’s new program, which emphasizes transparency, community involvement, and sustainable remediation practices. The project includes an open and unfenced mine decline and multiple waste piles showing signs of erosion and radiological contamination. EA’s comprehensive approach includes:
- Site assessment including radiological, endangered species, and historical and archaeologic surveys
- Community engagement planning
- Aerial and underground drone-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mapping (before and after)
- Cleanup analysis
- Development of disposal alternatives
- Closure plan implementation including long-term monitoring
For abandoned mine sites, EA has provided a range of services including remedial investigations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), establishing background values for metals, toxicology evaluations, leaching analyses, tailings management, remedial actions, and community engagement, through our nationwide work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as state regulatory bodies, local agencies, and private entities. The firm’s multidisciplinary team will work closely with the New Mexico Environmental Department; New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department; New Mexico State Land Office; and local stakeholders to ensure the project meets regulatory standards and community expectations.
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