The Film: Uranium Drive-In
More than 100 km from the nearest traffic light is the town of Naturita, Colorado – population 519. For decades the town’s economy boomed, boosted – and dominated by – the local uranium mine. Now 30 years after the mine’s closure, businesses are boarded up, formerly vibrant community landmarks are rusted over, and unemployment is rampant.
When a Canadian mining company brings plans to build a new uranium mill in the area, most Naturita residents welcome the prospect of renewed prosperity. At the same time, critics of the project argue that the environmental and health risks associated with uranium mining will further damage the town, the stunning wilderness in which it’s situated, and communities as far away as California and Arizona.
This story is one that is imprinted on rural communities across North America – and around the world. Through the lives of its characters, Uranium Drive-In explores the questions faced by residents in every community where resource industries offer both jobs and environmental consequences: how best to protect and preserve one’s home, and at what cost?
