Deep in the ground surrounding one of America's most well-known natural landmarks, the Grand Canyon, lies reserves of a radioactive mineral necessary for nuclear energy production across the country.
No one can touch the high-grade uranium deposits – for now.
Health concerns over uranium contamination in nearby water supplies spurred the Obama administration to issue a 20-year ban on its mining in the roughly 1 million acres of federal land surrounding the Grand Canyon in order to study its effects on the environment and public health.
Opponents of uranium mining argue that it could contaminate the Colorado River and its tributaries, which are a water source for roughly 40 million people. Ingesting it can cause health problems like kidney damage, and exposure to its radiation can bring an increased risk of cancer as well as a risk of high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and reproductive issues, according to the Environmental Protection Agency...