Mining on the reservation emerged as a key issue as the Navajo Nation Council met for its spring session this week.

Tribal members from the Black Mesa area of northeastern Arizona held a protest on Monday to oppose the continued operation of Peabody Coal's mines. They accused tribal leaders of selling out to the company for a proposed $30 million a year.

On Tuesday, council delegates took up another mining issue. They voted 63-19 to outlaw all uranium mining on the reservation in response to protests from tribal activists who blame high rates of cancer and deaths on uranium.

Get the Story:
Navajo council outlaws uranium mining (The Farmington Daily Times 4/20)
Sell outs? (The Gallup Independent 4/19)