Cave Hills Photos

Photos from the abandoned uranium mines at Cave Hills, SD

Facing the Riley Pass Abandoned Uranium Mine from the south, this sign has been stolen by unknown thieves. We have requested that the US Forest Service replace the signs but still has not did that yet for unknown reasons. There is one other sign but is relatively inaccessible.

Radioactive uranium mining runoff at Cave Hills

A picture taken by the Forest Service in August 2004 of the radioactive runoff at Cave Hills. This runoff goes into the Grand River then into the Missouri River.

The Defenders of the Black Hills and Rock Creek (Bullhead, SD) residents taken after inspecting the Riley Pass Abandoned Uranium Mine in the background. From left to right: Harold One Feather, Wanda White Eagle, Charmaine White Face, Jerald Kills Pretty Enemy, Connie Little Eagle, Carleen Little Eagle, Allen Little Eagle, Sr., Joann Tall, Velma Little Eagle, Garvard Good Plume, Vincent Brings Plenty, Ansel White Eagle, Sr.

Uranium tailings leaching damage at Cave Hills

Tailings at the bottom of a huge pit behind the cliff in the previous photo of Cave Hills. Notice, there is no vegetation in the picture. Everything appears to be dead in this huge area, about one half by one fourth of a mile in size, about 700-800 feet deep with only one warning sign. The tailings piles are the rust-colored piles (windrows) on the top of this photo.

Grand River, polluted by Cave Hills uranium tailings

This photo and the following photos are from the Grand River, polluted with radioactive runoff from the abandoned Cave Hills uranium mines.

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Mission Statement

"Defenders of the Black Hills is a group of volunteers without racial or tribal boundaries whose mission is to preserve, protect, and restore the environment of the 1851 and 1868 Treaty Territories, Treaties made between the United States and the Great Sioux Nation."

Speaking about radioactive fallout, the late President John F. Kennedy said,

"Even then, the number of children and grandchildren with cancer in their bones, with leukemia in their blood, or with poison in their lungs might seem statistically small to some, in comparison with natural health hazards. But this is not a natural health hazard and it is not a statistical issue. The loss of even one human life, or the malformation of even one baby who may be born long after we are gone, should be of concern to us all. Our children and grandchildren are not merely statistics toward which we can be indifferent."

July 26, 1963 upon signing the ban on above ground nuclear tests

Defenders of the Black Hills - Hesapa O'nakijin

He'Sapa kin Wakan, oheniya kik suyapo. - Always remember, the Black Hills are Sacred.

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