Uranium mine tailings

I got lost trying to find a road that Rene recommended. Well I should say that I had no trouble finding the road, but couldn't figure out how to get around the uranium mine that now blocks the road. Eventually it all worked out.

Anyways, while figuring it out I got to tour the radioactive countryside and found this most interesting tailing area. The rocks in the image are about a foot in diameter and the image was shot at 40mm on a crop body (60mm on a 35mm) to give an idea of scale.

Talk about a perspective deficit...this must have been huge if those rocks are a foot in diameter!
I may be mistaken, but this looks like a 'cap' that was placed over the actual uranium tailings.

John, I think you're right that this is a capped tailing pile. And yes, it was quite large and weird.

Wow a foot in diameter, there was me thinking they were pebbles at first glance. Very intersting pattern!.

Nice Mel, thanks for showing the pretty side of mining.

Nice Mel, thanks for showing the pretty side of mining.

LOL Dave. Wasn't intended for that purpose. I just thought this was really weird. Its like they made a mine tailing into a Japanese karesansui garden though I'm sure its purpose was practical.

I've heard from a friend in Grand Junction that some of the older houses there are built with uranium mine tailings, and people have been getting sick. Brilliant idea there.

Anyways, this looks really weird, like a paved wavy courtyard or something.

Cool Mel. Why didn't you just wander out there a little further... Probably could have spent a whole day shooting... (My radiation proof sunglasses).