New Mexico Geological Society Annual Spring Meeting — Abstracts

Uranium In-Situ Recovery (ISR) was first tested on an experimental basis in Wyoming in the early 1960s, with the first commercial ISR operation beginning in Texas in 1975. Today, more than 60% of global uranium production is derived from ISR, including operations in Australia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United States.

ISR is well-field technology that requires no excavation. Instead, a series of wells, similar to those used by local ranchers and farmers for water are installed to access the resource. These wells are engineered and sealed at specific depths to ensure fluids remain confined within the designated production zone, preventing migration into controlled or unmonitored areas.

Surface and subsurface disturbances are temporary and are subject to strict regulatory bonding requirements to ensure full reclamation. Following extraction, groundwater is restored, wells are decommissioned, and the land is returned to its original use.

The Clean Energy Association of New Mexico (CLEAN) advocates for a safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective nuclear energy industry—supported by In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium extraction. Our mission is to ensure that the people of New Mexico can benefit from the resources within their land in a sustainable and informed manner, while emphasizing cultural understanding and knowledge sharing.

In-Situ Recovery (ISR) is a proven, low-impact method of uranium extraction that safeguards groundwater and allows the land to be restored to its original state and use after operations conclude.