Kayenta

As the Labor Department made an unprecedented move yesterday to file a court injunction to shut down a hazardous Massey Energy coal mine in eastern Kentucky for a "a pattern of violations," concerned residents and activists constructed symbolic black crosses in front of the Navajo Nation's own Kayenta Mine, which was named last spring as one of the most dangerous mines in the nation.

Jeff Biggers: Pattern of Violations: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010

After nearly 40 years of devastating operation on the Navajo Nation, the dwindling Peabody Kayenta Mine has been cited by MSHA for faulty equipment, accumulation of combustible materials and inadequate workplace safety.

Jeff Biggers: Pattern of Violations: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010

But the safety concerns of the Kayenta Mine go beyond the dangers of tunnel collapse or explosion.

Jeff Biggers: Pattern of Violations: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010

The Kayenta Mine itself may be operating completely in violation, according to a new complaint filed in court by several Navajo and environmental organizations last month, which noted that the Office of Surface Mining may not have even followed proper strip mine permitting procedure.

Jeff Biggers: Pattern of Violations: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010

In 1967, the Peabody coal company began operating two strip mines on top of Black Mesa: the Kayenta and Black Mesa mines.

Jeff Biggers: Pattern of Violations: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010

John Wetherill The trader at Kayenta, south of Monument Valley, also known as Old John.

Yellow Dirt Judy Pasternak 2010

Son Lewis, hearing about neighbors returning, thought of pulling up stakes from Kayenta and joining the migration home.

Yellow Dirt Judy Pasternak 2010

She succumbed, leaving Kayenta and installing herself and the children in the nice new place, with its provenance etched in the front stoop: 1965.

Yellow Dirt Judy Pasternak 2010

The Kayenta Mine itself may be operating completely in violation, according to a new complaint filed in court by several Navajo and environmental organizations last month, which noted that the Office of Surface Mining may not have even followed proper strip mine permitting procedure.

Jeff Biggers: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010

In 1967, the Peabody coal company began operating two strip mines on top of Black Mesa: the Kayenta and Black Mesa mines.

Jeff Biggers: Black Cross Movement Calls Out Dangerous Navajo Coal Mines (Photos) Jeff Biggers 2010