The Eastern Navajo Land Commission reviewed federal updates on uranium cleanup efforts, new remediation technologies, and negotiations with U.S. agencies regarding abandoned uranium mines. Commissioners emphasized tribal sovereignty, community engagement, and preparedness as the Navajo Nation explores high-pressure slurry ablation technology and pursues federal grant funding to remediate waste and potentially recycle uranium. The Commission approved a resolution supporting the funding request and advanced plans for a comprehensive, unified cleanup strategy, including consideration of a proposed waste repository at Ambrosia Lake.

Nuclear power is regaining attention as a key tool for decarbonization and energy security, driven by advances in reactor and fusion technologies. Although strong bipartisan support exists, deployment has been slowed by regulatory challenges, particularly at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Recent legislation and executive actions are accelerating NRC reforms, positioning the U.S. nuclear sector for a potential renaissance.

For decades, cleanup of low-level radioactive waste on the Navajo Nation focused on capping it in place, but new technologies and recent executive orders tied to a national energy emergency could allow the waste to be processed instead as a source of critical minerals like uranium and vanadium. Navajo Nation leaders see an opportunity to use federal funding to remediate hundreds of abandoned mine sites while contributing to the U.S. mineral supply chain more quickly than traditional mining. By partnering with companies and using new remediation technologies, the tribe could turn legacy waste into usable resources while addressing long-standing environmental and health concerns

“Manufacturing & Technology Day with Leadership Casper was a hit! The crew spent the day diving into the brains and brilliance behind Disa Technologies, Mountain West Technologies, and WYLD GEAR / Cowboy State Plastics. Honestly, Natrona County’s innovation game is next level! 

Huge shoutout to MHM Wealth Management Group - Stifel for fueling the morning, Bridger Pipeline LLC for lunch, and True Companies for keeping our class warm + equipped with coats and backpacks. 

Here’s to the makers, the builders, the problem-solvers… and the future leaders learning from the best!  

#LeadershipCasper #FutureLeaders #ChamberStrong #ManufacturingAndTech” 

 “Community at odds over government's proposal to build ominous underground facility: 'Nobody showed up and asked about our concerns'”

American Atomics Inc. (formerly Great Northern Energy Metals) announced that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted DISA Technologies a first-of-its-kind license to remediate abandoned uranium mine waste, advancing their previously announced partnership to deploy DISA’s technology on U.S. projects. Company leaders from both American Atomics and DISA called the license a groundbreaking regulatory milestone that enables sustainable cleanup of legacy uranium sites while safely recovering valuable resources and strengthening the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain. The announcement also notes that on November 7, the U.S. Department of the Interior added uranium to its Critical Minerals List, reinforcing federal support for domestic uranium development aligned with American Atomics’ vertically integrated “rock to reactor” strategy.

Mandrake Resources has signed a non-binding Term Sheet with DISA Technologies to explore using DISA’s patented High Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology to recover uranium and other critical minerals from abandoned mine waste on Mandrake’s 100%-owned Utah Project. DISA will operate the project, fund all associated costs, and Mandrake will earn a Gross Revenue Share of 2.5–4% from recovered materials, with an option to convert this into a 25% profit-sharing interest. The project aligns with US federal priorities to domestically recover critical minerals, supported by DISA’s NRC Service Provider License and recent government initiatives to streamline permitting and encourage private-sector participation in mine waste recovery.

Wyoming is positioning itself to attract reshoring investments from countries like Taiwan and Japan, leveraging local resources such as trona and silica to support high-tech manufacturing, including cellphone glass and carbon capture components. DISA Technologies is part of this effort, using its high-pressure slurry ablation technology to treat abandoned uranium mine waste, which could create local jobs and recover valuable materials while addressing environmental hazards. State leaders emphasize building strong infrastructure, community amenities, and industry clusters to make Wyoming attractive for long-term, technology-driven manufacturing, where automation and robotics can overcome labor shortages, with a focus on strategic, sustainable industries.

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) advanced the bipartisan Legacy Mine Cleanup Act out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, aiming to streamline federal coordination and cut red tape for cleaning up abandoned uranium, copper, gold, and other hardrock mines that pose environmental and public health risks. The bill would establish the EPA’s Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains (OMDP) to prioritize mine cleanups, coordinate federal, state, and tribal efforts, provide technical support, and facilitate funding for Tribal communities. With tens of thousands of abandoned mines in the West, including over 500 uranium mines on the Navajo Nation, the legislation seeks to accelerate remediation, implement best practices, and improve accountability for safer communities.

The Navajo Nation is investing $3 million in a commercial-scale test of Disa Technologies’ High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology to clean up abandoned uranium mines, which left over 500 contaminated sites from decades of mining. The mechanical process separates uranium and other contaminants from bulk mine waste, reducing radiation levels and concentrating hazardous material into a smaller volume that can be managed or potentially recycled, while achieving over 90% reduction in uranium and radium-226 in tests. The upcoming three-month scaled-up study will process more waste with larger equipment, aiming to accelerate cleanup, protect groundwater, and provide a more cost-effective alternative to traditional offsite disposal methods.

Thor Energy has signed a binding agreement with US-based DISA Technologies to use its high-pressure slurry ablation (HPSA) technology to treat abandoned uranium mine waste at Thor’s Colorado projects and recover saleable uranium and critical minerals. Thor, through its subsidiary Standard Minerals, owns 25% of the mineral rights and will receive a share of gross revenues from the recovered materials, with DISA covering all costs and having received the first US Nuclear Regulatory Commission service provider license for uranium waste remediation. The agreement covers 13 surveyed waste sites with potential for more, and the HPSA process is expected to both recover valuable resources and deliver environmental benefits by improving water quality and restoring legacy mine areas.

Wyoming startup MNVR Inc. is using artificial intelligence to modernize industrial operations by creating digital twins. Virtual models of real equipment that predict faults, optimize performance, and capture worker expertise. The company, led by Casper native Doug Kenik, is already partnering with DISA Technologies to monitor high-pressure mining equipment for uranium cleanup, and plans to expand into other industrial applications like microgrids. MNVR aims to strengthen Wyoming’s industrial base while adding high-tech capabilities to diversify the state’s economy.

Thor Energy has partnered with DISA Technologies to explore treating abandoned mine waste dumps in Colorado using DISA’s patented High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) system, aiming to recover uranium and other critical minerals. DISA, the first U.S. company to receive a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Service Providers License, will operate the projects at its own cost, while Thor’s subsidiary, Standard Minerals, will receive a revenue share of 2.5–4% from recovered minerals. Proceeds from this collaboration will support Thor’s hydrogen and helium exploration in Australia, including upcoming drilling at its High Range project. 

Regeneration Enterprises and DISA Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pilot the use of DISA’s High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology at legacy and government-managed mine sites, aiming to turn mine waste into valuable minerals while restoring the environment. The collaboration will begin with pilot campaigns to test throughput, energy efficiency, and mineral recovery, with successful pilots potentially scaling to full commercial implementation. The partnership also seeks to develop Good Samaritan showcase sites in coordination with local communities, Indigenous groups, and regulators, demonstrating sustainable, economically viable mine waste reprocessing and site restoration.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Disa Technologies’ license to use its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology to remediate abandoned uranium mine (AUM) waste, completing the process in six months with a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework. HPSA mechanically separates target minerals from mine waste using differences in hardness, enabling safe, scalable, and cost-effective recovery of uranium and other critical minerals while reducing the volume of material requiring long-term disposal. The license allows Disa to operate across multiple states with federal and tribal oversight, supported by partners including the Navajo Nation, creating a regulated pathway to address decades of legacy uranium contamination while recycling valuable resources for U.S. energy needs.

Metals One Plc’s subsidiary Standard Minerals has signed a term sheet with DISA Technologies to evaluate and potentially treat abandoned uranium waste dumps at its Colorado projects using DISA’s High-Pressure Slurry Ablation technology. Under the agreement, DISA would fund and operate all permitting, treatment, and remediation, while Standard would receive a 2.5%–4.0% gross revenue share from recovered uranium and critical minerals with no capital or operating costs. The partnership creates a pathway to generate revenue from legacy mine waste while improving environmental conditions and aligning with U.S. priorities for domestic critical mineral recovery. 

DISA Technologies and ElementUSA have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the reprocessing of mine waste and expand access to critical minerals in North America by combining DISA’s High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology with ElementUSA’s mineral processing expertise. ElementUSA will operate a bench-scale HPSA unit at its Austin Critical Resource Accelerator for continuous testing, optimization, and pilot-scale demonstrations, while both companies will jointly identify commercial sites and develop the market. The collaboration aims to recover value from legacy tailings, strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains, and showcase scalable, cost-effective solutions for mineral liberation and environmental remediation. 

Thor Energy PLC has signed a term sheet with DISA Technologies to evaluate and potentially treat abandoned uranium mine waste at its Colorado projects, aiming to recover saleable uranium and critical minerals using DISA’s High-Pressure Slurry Ablation technology. Under the arrangement, DISA would fund and operate all evaluation, permitting, treatment, and remediation, while Thor (via Standard Minerals) would receive a 2.5%–4.0% share of gross revenues with no capital or operating costs. The partnership offers a non-dilutive pathway for Thor to generate revenue while improving environmental conditions and supporting U.S. domestic critical mineral recovery. 

The legacy of the Manhattan Project and Cold War-era uranium mining has left thousands of contaminated sites across the western U.S., including hundreds on Navajo and tribal lands, with little progress on cleanup for decades. On September 30, the NRC granted Wyoming-based DISA Technologies the first-ever license to remediate abandoned uranium mines using its high-pressure slurry ablation (HPSA) technology, which can safely recover uranium for domestic energy use while mitigating environmental hazards. The initiative has support from Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis and the Navajo Nation, with plans to scale up testing, separate uranium from waste, and explore low-level waste repositories to restore land and protect public health.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved Disa Technologies’ license to use its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology to remediate abandoned mine waste at inactive sites, completing the process in six months instead of the usual 18–24 months. The HPSA process mechanically separates mine waste, allowing uranium to be recovered or safely disposed of while leaving the remaining material onsite. This approval establishes a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework for safely performing abandoned uranium mine waste remediation under NRC oversight.

DISA Technologies closed an oversubscribed Series A2 financing round, raising $30 million to accelerate commercialization of its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation technology for mineral processing and uranium remediation. The round was led by Evok Innovations with strategic investment from Constellation Technology Ventures and participation from Valor Equity Partners, Veriten, and existing backers including Halliburton Labs. The funding will support scaling HPSA deployments, advance abandoned uranium mine cleanup efforts, and strengthen domestic critical mineral and energy security initiatives. 

DISA Technologies sold its first commercial-scale High-Pressure Slurry Ablation system, a 100-ton-per-hour unit to Lundin Mining’s Eagle Mine in Michigan, marking its transition from pilot testing to full commercial deployment. The Wyoming-based company applies the same technology to both mineral processing and uranium mine remediation, aiming to make cleanups self-funding by recovering valuable minerals while sharply reducing contamination and waste volumes. Backed by recent funding, rapid workforce growth, and pending regulatory approvals, DISA is scaling manufacturing in Casper and positioning itself for global expansion in mining and environmental cleanup. 

Cleanup efforts are complicated by jurisdictional limits because uranium is transported across Navajo lands on federal highways, where tribal governments cannot impose stricter regulations than federal rules. Navajo Nation EPA officials say they cannot stop the transport but actively inspect each shipment to ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. More than 450 uranium transport trucks have been inspected so far to help protect community safety.

DISA Technologies has signed a commercial agreement with Lundin Mining’s Eagle Mine to deliver its first 100-ton-per-hour High-Pressure Slurry Ablation system, marking a major milestone in the technology’s industrial deployment. The modular HPSA unit will be installed at the Michigan nickel and copper mine in Q4 2025 to improve mineral liberation, recovery, and downstream performance while reducing energy use and fines. The project builds on DISA’s recent commissioning of a 50 TPH system and highlights HPSA’s scalability and suitability for both retrofit and new mining operations. 

Great Northern Energy Metals Inc. signed a definitive agreement with DISA Technologies granting DISA exclusive access to survey, treat, and recycle abandoned mine waste using its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation technology, with GNEM receiving royalties from recovered minerals. GNEM also amended its option agreement related to acquiring up to 100% interest in a Colorado uranium project, extending a key payment deadline to July 11, 2025. Additionally, GNEM reported results from its 2025 winter drill program in Ontario and announced a strategic shift to focus primarily on its U.S. assets going forward.

Governor Mark Gordon approved eleven Wyoming Energy Authority Energy Matching Fund projects from Rounds 5 and 6, investing about $36.4 million in state funds to leverage nearly $178 million in total project costs across energy, mining, and critical minerals initiatives. The funded projects led by companies such as HF Sinclair, PacifiCorp, Disa Technologies, Ramaco Resources, and the University of Wyoming—focus heavily on fossil fuels, mining, carbon capture, critical minerals, and enhanced oil recovery to strengthen Wyoming’s energy leadership and economy. State leaders emphasized that the program supports innovation, job creation, and long-term energy security through a transparent, multi-step public review process. 

Disa Technologies Inc. develops sustainable mineral processing and remediation solutions using its patented High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology, which uses high-energy particle collisions to achieve controlled size reduction and mineral liberation. Since 2018, HPSA has been successfully tested on a wide range of materials, including uranium, copper, rare earth elements, lithium, and gold tailings, demonstrating its adaptability across ore types. The paper outlines test results, future applications for additional materials, and planned technology improvements to increase efficiency, capacity, and performance.

The Navajo Nation Resources and Development Committee heard a report on high-pressure slurry ablation (HPSA), a chemical-free technology that removes radionuclides and metals from uranium-contaminated mine waste by separating clean sand from concentrated contaminated material. Leaders said the method could reduce health risks, limit on-site waste, and offer an alternative to hauling or burying contaminated materials at the Nation’s 528 Superfund sites, with potential future economic value. The committee unanimously voted to accept the report and encouraged moving the approved pilot study results into field-level implementation.

A Casper-based company, Disa Technologies, has been presenting a new on-site technology called high-pressure slurry ablation to clean up abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation. The chemical-free process, tested at three Navajo sites, reduced uranium and radon levels by about 90% and is supported by the Navajo Nation EPA and USEPA. While the technology could significantly reduce the need to transport contaminated waste, Disa is awaiting Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval before it can be used at commercial scale.

Disa Technologies is partnering with Fluor Corporation to advance and scale its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology, including designing units for specialized applications like industrial water treatment. The collaboration leverages Fluor’s global expertise in engineering, mining, and plant design to accelerate development and deployment. Disa plans to operate a 50-ton-per-hour HPSA unit in 2024, with larger 100+ ton-per-hour units coming online in 2025.

Disa Technologies released an EPA- and Navajo Nation EPA–sponsored study showing that its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology can effectively remove uranium and radionuclides from abandoned uranium mine waste on Navajo Nation lands. The study found HPSA achieved up to 98% uranium reduction, reduced waste volumes by up to 83%, and was significantly more economical than traditional offsite disposal methods. With community support, Disa is advancing deployment of a full-scale, chemical-free remediation system to help address long-standing public health and environmental risks from abandoned uranium mines. 

Casper-based Disa Technologies has patented a largely mechanical, plug-and-play mineral separation process that improves mining economics and sustainability, with strong potential for rare earth and uranium extraction and remediation. Founded by Greyson Buckingham and John Lee after meeting during a University of Wyoming MBA backpacking trip, the company has grown from competition wins into a global operation with major investors and partners. Disa’s technology is now being tested with industry, the Department of Energy, and the EPA, where it could significantly improve cleanup of legacy uranium mines and reduce environmental impact.

Disa Technologies closed a $15 million Series A funding round led by Evok Innovations, the Wyoming Venture Capital Fund, and McKinley Alaska Private Investment, with participation from Halliburton Labs, The UCeed Energy Fund, and the University of Wyoming Foundation, to scale its High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology for minerals processing and legacy mine remediation. The funds will support commercial installations, including large-scale units for critical minerals recovery and uranium mine waste treatment, building on successful pilot projects with global mining companies and U.S. EPA-validated studies. Investors and partners emphasize Disa’s role in advancing sustainable mining solutions, improving environmental outcomes, and contributing to economic growth in Wyoming and beyond. 

Halliburton Labs has welcomed seven new energy startups, including Disa Technologies, into its collaborative environment to support scaling, commercialization, and innovation in energy and climate solutions. The participating companies are developing technologies ranging from mineral processing and lithium extraction to hydrogen storage, battery enhancements, and carbon capture, all aiming to improve efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability. Through Halliburton Labs’ expertise, facilities, and networks, these startups will accelerate commercialization, optimize operations, and advance technologies with broad environmental and industrial impact. 

Disa Technologies, founded by UW College of Business graduates Greyson Buckingham and John Lee, has developed patented high-pressure slurry ablation technology that efficiently separates valuable minerals from waste, helping clean up abandoned uranium mines and recover critical minerals domestically. Since launching in 2018, Disa has grown with support from startup competitions, seed funding, and the Wyoming business community, currently employing 14 people and planning to add 20 more. Beyond economic impact, the company’s work addresses environmental cleanup, national security by producing domestic uranium, and job creation, with a goal of reaching 100 employees in Wyoming. 

Wyoming-based Disa Technologies and Denver-based Lynx Global Intelligence have partnered to monitor and remediate over 15,000 abandoned uranium mines (AUMs) in the western U.S., including more than 500 on Navajo Nation land. Disa’s patented liberation technology treats uranium and other minerals, while Lynx provides real-time mapping and ESG risk data to track and manage contaminated sites. The collaboration aims to improve environmental safety, accelerate cleanup, and support social justice for affected communities. 

“For Immediate Release
October 20, 2021  

HARTLAND, Vt. — Today, the CORI Innovation Fund (CIF) announced an investment in Disa Technologies, Inc. (Disa), a provider of sustainable clean technology for processing and liberation of natural resources.  

CIF is a Qualified Opportunity Fund that invests in high-growth technology companies supporting job creation and revenue generation in small towns across America. CIF is participating in this funding round in order to provide Disa with capital to expand its pioneering High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology to commercial scale. Disa is headquartered in an Opportunity Zone located in Casper, Wyoming.” 

Forte Analytical and Disa have partnered to further test and refine Disa’s patented High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology, using advanced laboratory analysis to evaluate its effectiveness on different materials. HPSA aims to improve mineral separation efficiency while reducing energy use and waste in mining, addressing the high costs and inefficiencies of traditional ore processing. With successful tests across multiple resource industries, Disa is focused on scaling the technology through field projects and continued collaboration with Forte’s mining and metallurgical experts.

At this webinar, John Lee and Greyson Buckingham discussed how Disa, LLC is delivering on the goal of being a clean and responsible technology in the mining and reclamation spaces by providing energy-efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions for materials processing.

The 2019 Casper Start-Up Challenge offers finalists cash prizes, seed funding eligibility, free office space, and professional mentoring, while also providing valuable networking and guidance through the Wyoming Technology Business Center-Casper. Past participant John Lee of Disa, LLC emphasizes that simply writing down an idea, consulting WTBC staff, and entering the competition can lead to meaningful business growth. The challenge includes registration, interviews, a boot camp, and a public Pitch Day, all designed to help entrepreneurs turn early ideas into viable, job-creating businesses in Casper.  

Greyson Buckingham and John Lee met during a University of Wyoming MBA trip and went on to place second in the Ellbogen $30K Competition and win the 2017 Casper Start-Up Challenge, leading them to form Disa LLC in 2018. Supported by the Wyoming Technology Business Center, they developed a technology that separates targeted geologic materials from soils and sands more efficiently, scaling from small test units to commercial systems. With strong academic and community support, the founders aim to grow Disa in Casper while applying their technology globally across mining, reclamation, and related industries.  

Greyson Buckingham and John Lee met during a University of Wyoming MBA trip and went on to place second in the Ellbogen $30K Competition and win the 2017 Casper Start-Up Challenge, leading them to form Disa LLC in 2018. Supported by the Wyoming Technology Business Center, they developed a technology that separates targeted geologic materials from soils and sands more efficiently, scaling from small test units to commercial systems. With strong academic and community support, the founders aim to grow Disa in Casper while applying their technology globally across mining, reclamation, and related industries.  

The 2019 Casper Start-Up Challenge provides cash prizes, mentoring, office space, and networking opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. Participants gain guidance from the Wyoming Technology Business Center-Casper to help turn simple ideas into viable businesses. The competition includes a boot camp and public Pitch Day to support business development in Casper.