In our own backyards: uranium mining in the United States

United States, 1981

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The mining and milling of uranium involves the stripping of vast areas of land, reduction of local water tables, release of radioactive gases into the air, and the creation of millions of tons of radioactive waste. This film explores the impact of this process on the environment, the health of the workers and nearby residents. Also explores social justice issues relating to exploitation of Navajo Indian workforce by the mining companies - to the detriment of the health of the native Americans so employed. Environmental health issues (affecting Navajo Indians living in the mines’ vicinity) are a further focus.

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Collection

In ACMI's collection

Credits

co-producers/directors

Pamela Jones

Sussanna Styron

production company

Eleventh Hour Films

Duration

00:29:00:00

Production places

United States

Production dates

1981

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

015743

Language

English

Subject categories

Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Mineral industries

Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Work environment

Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Navajo Indians

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Conservation of natural resources

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Environmental education

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Environmental health

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Environmental protection

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Land degradation

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Pollution - Environmental aspects

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Radioactive pollution

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Radioactive wastes

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Water conservation

Climate, Environment, Natural Resources & Disasters → Water, Underground

Documentary

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Indians of North America - Social conditions

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Labor and laboring classes - United States

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Mining districts - Social aspects

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Minorities - Social aspects

Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Environmental health

Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Public health - United States

Short films

Short films → Short films - United States

Sound/audio

Sound

Colour

Holdings

16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)

VHS; Access Print (Section 1)

Please note: this archive is an ongoing body of work. Sometimes the credit information (director, year etc) isn’t available so these fields may be left blank; we are progressively filling these in with further research.

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/77481--in-our-own-backyards-uranium-mining-in-the-united-states/ |title=In our own backyards: uranium mining in the United States |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=19 April 2025 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}