Slick Rock Uranium Mill No. 1 (East): Approved for EEOICPA benefits

How the Slick Rock Uranium Mill No. 1 (East) served the nuclear weapons program

The Slick Rock Uranium Mill No. 1 (East), also known as the Slick Rock East Site, is located in a remarkably remote area. About 22 miles north of Dove Creek, CO in the state’s southwestern region, the site is tucked in to a rugged landscape along the Dolores River. Slick Rock East was a part of the U.S. surge in uranium production during and after World War II. The mill originally processed vanadium and radium from locally mined ore, but beginning around 1945, the facility was taken over by the federal government to produce uranium for the emerging atomic-age needs, including the program that became the atomic weapons effort. The uranium recovered at the Slick Rock East Site contributed not only to the national uranium supply fueling nuclear weapons but also fueled early nuclear research and energy efforts under government contracts. 

A brief timeline of the Slick Rock East Site

• 1931: The first mill on the site was constructed by Shattuck Chemical Company. It initially extracted radium salts and vanadium from local ore. During this time, the radium they extracted was prized for luminous paints and medical treatments.
• 1934: Ownership of the mill was passed on to North Continent Mines, Inc.
• 1945: Once again, ownership changed hands. This time to the federal government (via Union Mines Development Corporation) to supply uranium for wartime nuclear projects. During this change in ownership, the mill also shifted their production efforts to focus on uranium production, which aligned closely with the increasing prioritization of the soon-to-form Atomic Energy Commission’s (AEC) mission and expanding demand for uranium.
• 1957: Another change in ownership occurred as Union Carbide Corporation took over.
• 1960’s: In the early 1960’s, the Slick Rock East mill closed.
• 1995-1996: During these years, the tailings-removal and remediation occurred and was completed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA). More than 778,000 cubic yards of contaminated tailings and soil were removed across Slick Rock East and West processing sites and transported to a secure disposal cell several miles away from the site. These disposal cells are designed to last between 200-1,000 years. To this day, the site remains under federal long-term surveillance and care by the DOE.

Adverse health effects among workers

Potential risks to workers are a result of the radiation, radioactive dust, radon gas, and heavy medals produced by the mill's operations. These risks may include lung diseases, lung cancers and kidney issues. Because this site operated during a time when radiation protection rules and airborne particle safeguards were less strict than in later years, exposure levels may have been higher than what future regulations would allow.

Environmental and community impact

The mill operated through the early 1960’s, processing ore from mines across the Colorado Plateau. Like many mills of its time, it produced large volumes of radioactive tailings, which contained uranium, radium, vanadium, selenium, and other contaminants. These tailings were stored on-site and, over time, contributed to environmental contamination, including impacts to shallow groundwater and surrounding soils. While surface water in the nearby Dolores River showed no measurable effect, airborne dust, radon, and groundwater contamination raised long-term concerns for the surrounding communities. The grounds of the mill were reseeded with native grasses after remediation efforts were completed.

Government response and cleanup efforts

Approved for EEOICPA White Card benefits

The Slick Rock East Site is covered under The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

RECA by itself provides lump sum compensation and does not cover healthcare costs. But uranium workers who are approved for RECA compensation may also qualify for lifetime healthcare benefits for covered conditions under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act or the EEOICPA White Card Program.

DOE contractors conducted environmental remediation under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act, addressing hazardous materials from 1995 to 1996. Workers involved may also qualify for lifetime healthcare benefits for covered conditions under the EEOICPA White Card Program.

As of January 2026, Slick Rock East Site workers have received over $1.2 million in EEOICPA settlements and medical bills paid.

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