Strong Opposition to a Uranium Mining Project in the
Chama Watershed
June 2, 2026
According to Source New Mexico, In February 2026, Gamma Resources, LTD., a Canada based company, filed a notice of intent with the Carson National Forest to explore the potential for a uranium mine along four miles of federal forest land. The project would include 12 boreholes up to 500 feet deep. This operation is the first of its kind on federal forest land in a very long time and comes at a time when the Executive Branch has urged for federal lands to be used for energy development, including mining and drilling. Bureau of Land Management records indicate that the company, Gamma Resources, LTD has active claims about two miles south of Canjilon, totaling approximately 900 acres. In a January Executive Order titled Unleashing American Energy, the White House directly outlines that it will be the policy of the United States to “to encourage energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters.”
New Mexico lawmakers have spoken out in opposition of the project and in April Senator Ben Ray Luján led a letter with the New Mexico delegation letter to the Forest Service calling for a full environmental review. In May both Senator Lujan and Congresswoman Theresa Leger Fernández traveled to the Chama watershed to meet with community members on the proposed mining project.
On May 6 Senator Ben Ray Luján traveled to Canjilon, New Mexico where he listened to the concerns of the community and spoke about his plans to introduce legislation removing the Chama Watershed from mineral extraction. Pam Roy from New Mexico Farm to Table was able to attend the event where she too heard the concerns of local farmers, ranchers, landowners, and community members.