New Mexico bans new uranium mining and calls for addressing the toxic legacy of uranium mining

New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has issued an executive order banning the leasing of state lands for new uranium mining and related activities, and directing the State Land Office "to focus on cleaning up legacy uranium sites and calls on the uranium industry and the federal government to prioritise, fund and meaningfully address the legacy problems caused by uranium production". The order does not restrict the Land Office from re-issuing existing permits, rights-of-way or business leases related to "existing mineral leases with valid existing rights”.