A uranium company is asking the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear an Indian Country case.

Hydro Resources Inc., a subsidiary of Uranium Resources Inc, wants to develop a 160-acre site near Churchrock, New Mexico. The company must obtain federal approval because the land is a dependent Navajo community, the 10th Circuit said in a 2-1 decision in April.

The company plans to seek a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency regardless of the outcome of the case, an executive said. But the project will be delayed for up to 18 months.

"We would much rather settle this with the Native Americans and go forward so we can just start mining," Rick Van Horn, URI's vice president, told the Associated Press.

The Navajo Nation has banned uranium mining on tribal lands.

Get the Story:
Uranium mining firm asks for review (AP 6/2)

10th Circuit Decision:
Hydro Resources v. US (April 17, 2009)

Related Stories:
Mining company weighs move in Indian Country case (4/23)
10th Circuit rules in Indian Country status case (4/20)
Navajos sue to stop uranium mine in New Mexico (2/13)
Indian Country ruling a victory for Navajo Nation (3/1)