Mining

Colorado celebrates its 150th birthday later this year – and throughout 2026, the KUNC newsroom will feature fascinating stories from the state's history. We kick things off this week on In The NoCo with the story of a massive ice palace in Leadville. It drew tourists from around the world in the late 1800s.

Before the federal government shut down on Wednesday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said it would team up with Mountain West states to study mine waste for critical minerals. Trump administration officials hope the effort will strengthen national security and support emerging technologies.

A new report shows tens of thousands of abandoned mines dot the U.S., including parts of the Mountain West. Experts say these sites pose pollution threats due to being in areas that are at high risk for flooding.

In the late 1800s, silver mining made Leadville a wealthy city. But after the silver market crashed, city leaders faced economic hardship. So they decided to try an unusual idea to draw tourists to Leadville: They built a massive palace made out of ice. We’ll hear the story of the historic Leadville Ice Palace today on In The NoCo.

The goal is to boost domestic mining of lithium and other minerals officials say are critical to national security and the economy.

China recently banned exports of certain rare earth minerals to the U.S. as part of an ongoing tech war between the two superpowers. With the largest supplier of those minerals out, some experts weigh in on what this means for the growing industry in the Rocky Mountains.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked exploratory drilling for a lithium project in Arizona that Native American leaders say will harm land they've used for religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries. Lawyers for Earthjustice and the Colorado-based Western Mining Action Project won the restraining order this week on behalf of the Hualapai Tribe.

A new podcast explores a forgotten corner of Colorado history. The Western Slope town of Uravan helped produce uranium for nuclear weapons... and atomic energy. That is, until it was closed down and buried due to radiation. Hear more on today's In The NoCo.

The Ladera mixed-use development annexation will not be stalled after a vote in Timnath overwhelmingly rejected a measure about it last Tuesday.

The largest uranium producer in the United States is ramping up work at a mine less than 10 miles from the rim of the Grand Canyon.