Thursday, March 28, 2024

Uranium miners testify on RECA amendments

Uranium miners testify on RECA amendments

SHIPROCK

In the late 1970’s LeRoy Becenti went to uranium mining school and became a utility miner for Kerr-McGee in Church Rock, New Mexico.

“I was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer,” said Becenti. “They are telling me it’s from the uranium.”

Since Becenti did not work in the mines until after 1971, he, as well as hundreds of other Navajo uranium miners, are not eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

“It’s not fair for some of us that worked underground,” said Becenti who started working for Kerr-McGee right after he graduated from high school. “The ones that were drilling, digging and taking out ore.” Becenti recently lost his older brother, Edison Becenti, to cancer. He was also a uranium miner.


 To read the full article, pick up your copy of the Navajo Times at your nearest newsstand Thursday mornings!

Are you a digital subscriber? Read the most recent three weeks of stories by logging in to your online account.

  Find newsstand locations at this link.

Or, subscribe via mail or online here.




About The Author

Arlyssa Becenti

Arlyssa Becenti reported on Navajo Nation Council and Office of the President and Vice President. Her clans are Nát'oh dine'é Táchii'nii, Bit'ahnii, Kin łichii'nii, Kiyaa'áanii. She’s originally from Fort Defiance and has a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. Before working for the Navajo Times she was a reporter for the Gallup Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT

Weather & Road Conditions

Window Rock Weather

Fair

56.0 F (13.3 C)
Dewpoint: 19.9 F (-6.7 C)
Humidity: 24%
Wind: from the Southwest at 17.3 gusting to 32.2 MPH (15 gusting to 28 KT)
Pressure: 30.09

More weather »

ADVERTISEMENT