Melvin Yazzie ends long career with Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Department
March 1, 2024
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Many meritorious words have been used to describe Principal Mining Engineer Melvin Yazzie: professional, dedicated, passionate, caring, coach, leader, and team builder are a few. After a long, successful career with the Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Department (AML), Yazzie announced his retirement in January 2024.
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (LM) has a long-standing cooperative agreement with AML to conduct long-term surveillance and maintenance at four sites on the Navajo Nation in Mexican Hat, Utah; Shiprock, New Mexico; and Monument Valley and Tuba City, Arizona. The agreement includes participation in and development of community relations and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for youth. The partnership with AML has contributed to many of the successes of LM’s work on the Navajo Nation.
Yazzie’s primary role with Navajo Nation AML was principal mining engineer, with emphasis in administration, engineering, partnerships, public relations, and STEM events, and he has many accomplishments to highlight after his 30-year career.
Hired as an intern directly after graduating from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology for the newly established Navajo AML program, he helped hone the process and guidance to build a world-class program from the ground up. The Navajo AML program was the first of its kind for an Indigenous tribe in the United States.
Yazzie was instrumental in creating and implementing Defense-Related Uranium Mines program work plans, and he was involved in field work to validate previously reclaimed uranium mines. He played a critical role in fulfilling the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources’ mission to manage, protect, conserve, and preserve the Navajo Nation’s natural and cultural resources.
He greatly enabled LM’s stewardship of disposal cells and inventory of abandoned mines on Navajo land. He was responsible for the reclamation and remediation of numerous coal and uranium mine sites across the Navajo Nation and was a crucial partner in helping LM overcome technical challenges, while nurturing a robust and enduring LM-Navajo partnership with a shared commitment to protect public health and the environment.
Yazzie’s accomplishments extend beyond his professional role, including his involvement in creating and participating in a STEM organization for Navajo Nation youth, as well as dedication to community outreach.
At a retirement ceremony and luncheon in January in Farmington, New Mexico, LM Supervisory General Engineer Paul Kerl presented Yazzie with a Career Achievement Award on behalf of LM Director Carmelo Melendez. The award recognizes Yazzie’s exceptional leadership, guidance, and support for long-term care of disposal sites and defense-related uranium mines on the Navajo Nation.
Kerl addressed Yazzie directly and fondly at his recent retirement luncheon: “He’s mission-focused, accomplished, accountable, and impressive, but most of all, he’s a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother to many, and our dear friend.”
“Melvin, thank you for being the wonderful person you are. Thank you for all you have done for the people of this great nation. Thank you for your decades of dedicated service, teamwork, and partnership that has helped accomplish our joint missions. We are all grateful for you and honored to have had the opportunity to work with you,” Kerl said. “Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. Enjoy it to the fullest. Good luck and many blessings to you and your beautiful family on all of your future endeavors.”