Action To Take:
The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division (NMMD) of the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) will accept written written public comments on the Roca Honda Mine Operations Reclamation Plan (MORP) until July 19th.
We have a short template letter in Tab 2 and a detailed template letter in Tab 3 of this document available for you to personalize and submit.
Public comments are welcome from anyone who wishes to participate. Whether you live near Mount Taylor or elsewhere in New Mexico, your voice matters in this process.
The public comment process is part of the official record used by state decision-makers when evaluating the Roca Honda proposal. While many community members and coalition organizations oppose new uranium mining altogether, this template focuses on concerns that the Mining and Minerals Division has the authority and responsibility to consider, including water impacts, cultural resources, cumulative impacts, environmental justice, and public participation. We also encourage community members to request a public hearing so that affected communities have an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and participate directly in the review process.
We encourage you to personalize your comment by sharing your own experiences, concerns, and connection to the issues raised by this proposal.
Public comments may be submitted via email or mail:
- Email: mmd.marp@emnrd.nm.gov
- Physical mailing address:
- Ben Shelton, Acting Director, Mining and Minerals Division
- 1220 South St. Francis Drive
- Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
Summary of the Roca Honda Uranium Mine Proposal
The Roca Honda mine is a massive proposed uranium mine just west of Mount Taylor and partially within the Mount Taylor Traditional Cultural Property (TCP). The Roca Honda mine would be a conventional underground mine that is anticipated to produce millions of tons of ore and waste over 30+ years.
As with other uranium mines proposed on and near Mount Taylor, the Roca Honda mine represents a dire threat to cultural practices of Indigenous communities in the region. For many Indigenous community members, constructing a uranium mine at Mount Taylor is akin to building a sewage treatment plant in a church.
In addition to the cultural insult, the Roca Honda mine would use a tremendous amount of water in an area of New Mexico that is already seeing substantial water stress due to global climate chaos. By its own calculations, the Roca Honda mine would result in an aquifer drawdown of over 1,000 feet, which would not recover for centuries. In all, the mine is projected to use over 1.6 billion gallons of water.
The Roca Honda proposal is moving forward at a time when federal policies are encouraging increased domestic uranium production. Both Roca Honda and other proposed uranium projects near Mount Taylor have received attention as part of broader efforts to accelerate uranium development and feed the American Energy Dominance agenda pushed by the Trump administration. Communities are concerned that fast-tracking projects could reduce scrutiny of water, cultural, and environmental impacts.
Why are communities paying attention to Roca Honda?
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Additional Resources
NM Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Website Resources:
- MK025RN Roca Honda Mine Informational webpage
- Mine Operation and Reclamation Plan filed on May 18, 2026
News Stories
- Uranium company’s finalized NM plan includes treating, dumping water into nearby river – May 26, 2026
- Mining companies face ‘complex web’ of regulation for NM uranium – July 14, 2025
If you have any questions about the content in this toolkit, please reach out to NM Mining Watch Communications Consultant Liliana Castillo at liliana@singlespacestrategies.com.