DISA Technologies with the first-ever license to remediate abandoned uranium mines

The environmental scars left by World War II era uranium mining, still affect communities across the Western U.S., especially on tribal lands. Thousands of abandoned uranium mine sites remain contaminated, including hundreds on or near the Navajo Nation.

Firs ever licence to remediate

On September 30, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) took a historic step forward by issuing the first-ever license to DISA Technologies, Inc. (Wyoming) to remediate abandoned uranium mines and recycle uranium for domestic energy use.

Huge milestone

This milestone enables DISA to recover hundreds of millions of pounds of uranium-bearing material from legacy waste piles, while safely eliminating long-standing environmental hazards. Using its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology, DISA can separate uranium from waste material efficiently and safely, a breakthrough for cleanup efforts that have stalled for decades.

“These waste piles of uneconomic material just became abandoned and discarded” said Greyson Buckingham, CEO of DISA Technologies. “The longer we leave this material sit on site, the more it degrades. Uranium oxidizes, leaches into water, and dust particles spread into population centers.”

Uranium in U.S.

The U.S. currently imports 50 million pounds of uranium annually while producing less than 700,000 pounds domestically. With 94 nuclear reactors generating roughly 20% of the nation’s electricity, domestic recovery is both an environmental and energy security priority.

Official support

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis praised the NRC’s decision:

“An expedited approval process demonstrates what’s possible when innovative companies are empowered by federal regulators to establish clear, first-of-its-kind frameworks that prioritize both safety and efficiency… This license is a critical step in allowing DISA to move forward with its critical remediation and recover valuable materials in the process.”

DISA has partnered with the Navajo Nation for more than five years, conducting EPA-sponsored treatability studies and preparing to launch its first remediation site. Stephen Etsitty, Executive Director of the NAVAJO NATION EPA, emphasized that safe cleanup and responsible waste management are key to protecting local communities.

This initiative marks a major step toward environmental justice, energy independence, and community health, turning a long-standing challenge into a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.