A coal mining project in New Mexico, fought by the Zuni Pueblo in cooperation with environmental groups, was approved by the Interior Department, according to Salt River Project, the Phoenix-based company which intends to develop the mine. Zuni Pueblo objects to the project on the grounds that Salt River Project intends to pump water from the mining site, which the Zuni claim will adversely affect Zuni Salt Lake. The lake has been the source of salt collection for the religious ceremonies of at least seven tribes over a period of hundreds of years.
