Appeal filed to lift federal ban on uranium claims, exploration in northern Arizona

Reuters reports that the National Mining Association and the American Exploration and Mining Association filed an appeal late on Tuesday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to overturn last month's decision by U.S. District Judge David Campbell that the U.S. Interior Secretary was empowered under federal law "to err on the side of caution in protecting a national treasure - Grand Canyon national park" by banning new uranium claims and exploration in northern Arizona outside the park.

Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar imposed the 20-year ban on nearly 1 million acres of federally managed lands in 2012. [Right, withdrawal areas outlined in red. Credit, BLM]