Issues at Operating Uranium Mines and Mills - Wyoming, USA  

(last updated 8 Mar 2025)

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Lance ISL project, Crook County

NRC Docket No.

> View deposit info

Ross ISL project

WYDEQ Public Notice

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on draft decision on approval of Kendrick Expansion Area of Ross in situ leach uranium mine: Strata Energy Inc. of Oshoto, Wyoming has applied for an amendment of its Source Material License (WYSUA-1601, Amendment 12) from the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
This amendment to License WYSUA-1601, add lands, known as the Kendrick Expansion Area (KEA), to the license area. The KEA amendment will add approximately 7,874 acres of private and State-owned land to the Ross ISR Project Source Material License No. WYSUA-1601.
The Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Pre-Decisional State Decision Document to approve the license amendment application.
Written comments or objections to the proposed license amendment must be received before the close of business March 22, 2025.
> View: WY DEQ Public Notice , Jan. 30, 2025

Commissioning of Central Processing Plant at Lance in situ leach uranium mine delayed until second quarter of 2025: On Jan. 31, 2025, Peninsula Energy Ltd announced that commissioning of the Central Processing Plant (CPP) at the Lance Uranium Project is now scheduled for the June Quarter 2025.
Since December 2024, loading uranium onto resin for elution continues and the site is looking into short term options to store loaded resin during the commissioning of the CPP.

Lance in situ leach uranium mine restarted after 5-year hiatus - with acid rather than alkaline leach scheme: On Dec. 19, 2024, Peninsula Energy Limited and its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Strata Energy Inc. advised the official commencement of production operations at the Lance Projects in Wyoming USA. Uranium production operations were restarted within selected areas of Mine Unit 1 ("MU-1") at Lance on December 18th, 2024, after a five-year hiatus.

Ramping-up of production at Lance in situ leach uranium mine slower and more costly than anticipated: On Nov. 15, 2024, Peninsula Energy Ltd announced that delays in preconditioning together with flowrate variability has led the company to further revise its projected production guidance for the initial year of production ramp-up (CY2025) downward to approximately 600,000 pounds U₃O₈ [231 t U; from 700,000 to 900,000 lbs U₃O₈] and to withdraw other guidance in relation to CY2025.
The final construction cost of US$ 48.8 million for the Central Processing Plant is US$ 9.5 million higher than the previous estimate.

Strata Energy renews license application for previously abandoned Kendrick Expansion Area of Ross in situ leach uranium mine: Strata Energy Inc. has applied for an in situ mining permit amendment from the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality of the State of Wyoming [to add the Kendrick development project area into the Ross production licenses and permits].
The proposed operation is scheduled to begin October of 2026 and is estimated to continue until 2042.
Written objections to the proposed mining operation must be received before the close of business on December 7, 2024.
Pursuant to Water Quality Divisions Rules and Regulations Chapter 8, the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality will administer a separate public notice and comment period for the proposed classification of the groundwater in the production zones as Class V (Mineral Commercial) and the aquifer exemption requested from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
> View: WY DEQ Public Notice , Oct. 18, 2024

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on proposed groundwater reclassification at Kendrick Expansion Area of Ross in situ leach uranium mine: The Water Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing to reclassify groundwater in the uranium production zones within the mining permit listed below as Class V, Mineral Commercial groundwater pursuant to Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 8. An aquifer exemption request has been submitted to the USEPA for the uranium producing zone.
The mine will use a carbonate/bicarbonate lixiviant, which "was selected due to its compatibility with minerals within the ore body."
Submit comments by February 26, 2024.
> View: WY DEQ Public Notice , Jan. 27, 2024

Ross in situ leach uranium mine to be restarted - with acid rather than alkaline leach scheme: On Nov. 24, 2022, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that it has completed a positive Financial Investment Decision to restart uranium production operations at the company's Lance Projects located in Wyoming, USA. [...]
Proceeds of the Placement will be used to complete the transition works programs and to commence low-pH production operations at Ross. Initial production activities are projected to commence in Q1 CY2023.

On Mar. 16, 2023, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that commencement of commercial production is now expected in mid-year 2023.

On July 19, 2023, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that Uranim Energy Corp.'s termination of the resin processing agreement "is likely to result in a significant delay to the previously announced imminent re-start of production at Lance."

On Aug. 31, 2023, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that "a newly revised Life of Mine model for Ross & Kendrick mitigates third party processing risks by bringing the complete process of uranium yellowcake production in-house, from the commencement of production. The revised production strategy [...] will see production commence in late CY [calendar year] 2024."

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on license amendment for Ross in situ leach uranium mine: Strata Energy, Inc. of Oshoto, Wyoming has applied for an amendment of its Source Material License (WYSUA-1601, Amendment 11) from the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality. The amendment includes modifications to License WYSUA-1601 to allow the use of retention ponds for liquid source material and associated solids at the Ross ISR Project.
Written comments or objections to the proposed license amendment must be received before the close of business, October 8, 2022.
> View: Wyoming DEQ Public Notice , Aug. 18, 2022

Feasibility Study shows "exciting economic potential" of acid leach scheme at Ross and Kendrick sections of Lance in situ leach uranium mine: On Aug. 15, 2022, Peninsula Energy Limited presented the results of a definitive feasibility study confirming the viability of acid leaching at the Ross and Kendrick production areas of the Lance uranium project for a uranium sales price of US$ 62.38 per lb U₃O₈.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility

Wyoming DEQ approves use of several oxidants with acid leach scheme at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: On May 4, 2022, Peninsula Energy Ltd annouced that its subsidiary Strata Energy Inc. has been granted approval by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Uranium Recovery Program of a requested license amendment. The amendment authorizes the use of several different oxidants in conjunction with low pH lixiviants in the uranium extraction process. Laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that higher uranium recovery rates can be achieved when oxidizing agents are introduced to the lixiviant stream. Importantly, the Company has been granted approval to select from three different commercially available oxidants, gaseous oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium chlorate.

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on proposed approval of acid leach scheme at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: Strata Energy, Inc. of Oshoto, Wyoming has applied for an amendment of its Source Material License (WYSUA-1601, Amendment 10) from the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality. The amendment includes modifications to accommodate the use of an oxidant with the approved low pH lixiviant.
Written comments or objections to the proposed license amendment must be received before the close of business, April 16, 2022.
[related documents can only be inspected on site at the Cheyenne and Sundance offices]
> View: Wyoming DEQ Public Notice Feb. 24, 2022

Acid leach scheme field demonstration concluded at Ross in situ leach uranium mine - with underwhelming results: On Dec. 2, 2021, Peninsula Energy Ltd announced that the field demonstration operations were concluded at the end of November.
"The initial design of the field demonstration area ("MU1A") featured a ring of injection wells surrounding three production wells and atypical distances between the injectors and producers. The injector to producer well spacing for the initial patterns was selected to match the 2018 Feasibility Study assumption of approximately 125 feet, which is 67% larger than the well spacing of the historical alkaline ISR patterns utilised in the first two mine units at Lance. This design proved to be inefficient for demonstration/testing purposes. [...]" [emphasis added]

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on proposed permit renewal for deep disposal wells at Ross in situ leach uranium mine:
Submit comments by September 7, 2021.
> View: Wyoming DEQ Public Notice , Aug. 7, 2021

Peninsula Energy raises funds to buy more uranium on the spot market rather than mining it at Lance: On May 28, 2021, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that it has entered into arrangements to procure 300,000 pounds of natural uranium concentrates [115 t U] which are to be fully funded by a share placement.

Peninsula Energy prefers to buy uranium on the spot market rather than mining it at Lance: On Apr. 6, 2021, Peninsula Energy Ltd announced that it has entered into multiple binding purchase agreements to procure natural uranium concentrates ("U₃O₈") sufficient to meet the entirety of its calendar year 2022 committed sales of 450,000 pounds U₃O₈ [173 t U].

Underwhelming results of acid leach scheme field demonstration at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: Peninsula Energy Ltd. "started operating the field demonstration in August 2020 following extensive laboratory testing of the low-pH In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") chemistry on core samples obtained from the project site."

• "To date, the field demonstration has exhibited a trend toward consuming more acid than was modelled from the laboratory results and subsequently projected in the 2018 Feasibility Study. While one of the demonstration patterns has arrived at the target pH of 2.0 S.U., it is taking more time than expected for the other two patterns to reach the recovery pH target. At present the two lagging patterns are yielding a recovery pH of approximately 4.0 S.U. notwithstanding having sustained the objective flow rates and acid concentrations in the injection stream."
• "Gaseous oxygen was selected as the initial oxidant, as the addition system was already in place and available from alkaline ISR operations at Lance. Introduction of gaseous oxygen has not been completely successful in maintaining the target ORP [oxidation-reduction potential] in the injection stream. Consequently, an addition system for an alternative oxidant, hydrogen peroxide, as used in our laboratory studies, was developed and has recently been successfully commissioned."

Wyoming DEQ gives final approval for acid leaching scheme at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) has approved Strata's Interim Restoration Report for the low pH field restoration demonstration at the Lance Project in Wyoming, paving the way for the Company to develop new mining units using the low pH ISR method across the entire Ross Permit Area at Lance. (Peninsula Energy Ltd Apr. 17, 2020)

Wyoming DEQ issues approval required for commercial scale test of acid leaching scheme at Ross in situ leach mine: On Nov. 4, 2019, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that the low pH Interim Operations Report (IOR) for Phase 1 of the low pH In situ recovery (ISR) tests has been approved by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ).
Phase 2, the commercial scale low pH ISR operations in Mine Units 1 and 2 can now occur along with the Phase 3 groundwater restoration field demonstration activities. (Peninsula Energy Ltd Nov. 4, 2019)

Wyoming DEQ approves material license change for Ross in situ leach mine to acid leaching scheme: On 31 July 2019, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) formally approved the Source Materials License (SML) amendment for low pH in-situ recovery (ISR) at the Lance Projects. (Peninsula Energy Ltd Aug. 2, 2019)

Wyoming DEQ issues Notice of Violation for false declaration of waste shipment from Ross in situ leach mine: On July 15, 2019, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued a Notice of Violation to Strata Energy Inc. for incorrectly declaring a byproduct shipment on Mar. 4, 2019, to Energy Fuels' White Mesa Uranium Mill in Blanding, Utah, as "UN 2912, Radioactive material, low specific activity (LSA-I), non-fissile or fissile excepted, 7", while the description should have read "UN 3321, Radioactive material, low specific activity (LSA-II), non-fissile or fissile excepted, 7".

Uranium production at Lance in situ leach mine on hold in expectation of switch to acid leach scheme: "With the final regulatory amendments now nearing completion, and with the removal of the uncertainty surrounding the Section 232 petition now announced, the Company has decided to idle the alkaline based production activities at the Lance Projects. This move will enable the Company to focus on completing the low pH field demonstration to within the required guidelines under the approved Permit to Mine amendment. It will also allow the Company to incorporate improvements developed from the field demonstration into the detailed design of low pH operations and begin employee training necessary to prepare for the safe operation of commercial scale low pH operations in Mine Units 1 and 2, on receipt of the final regulatory amendments. With the expected improved recovery rates under low pH operations, extraction of the remaining uranium in Mine Units 1 and 2 using low pH solutions will be more effective and efficient than continuing to use the alkaline extraction method." (Peninsula Energy Ltd July 15, 2019)

Wyoming DEQ seeks comment on Source Material License change for Ross in situ leach mine to acid leaching scheme: The amendment includes modifications to License WYSUA-1601 to accommodate In Situ Recovery operations for the use of low pH lixiviant in addition to the approved alkaline lixiviant.
The Department of Environmental Quality has issued an initial draft decision to approve the license amendment application. Information regarding this initial draft decision and the application may be reviewed in the office of the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality in Cheyenne and Sheridan, Wyoming, or the Crook County Clerk's Office, Sundance, Wyoming. [Water for the refreshment of your horses is provided at the entry.]
Submit comments before the close of business [??? - Saturday!], June 15, 2019.
> View: Notice of Proposed Amendment - Strata Energy, Inc. Source Material License WYSUA-1601 (WY DEQ Apr. 24, 2019)

Wyoming DEQ approves mine permit change for Ross in situ leach mine to acid leaching scheme: On Mar. 21, 2019, Peninsula Energy Ltd announced that its subsidiary Strata Energy Inc received the formal approval from the Land Quality Division within the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) of the Permit to Mine (PTM) amendment for low pH in-situ recovery (ISR) mining at the Lance Projects.
Separately, the Uranium Recovery Program within the WDEQ is continuing its review of Strata's October 2018 request to amend the existing Source Materials and By-product License (SML).

Wyoming DEQ opens comment period on permit change for Ross in situ leach mine to acid leaching scheme - for just two weeks, and with field leach trials only just started: Strata Energy, Inc. of Oshoto, Wyoming has applied for a revision of its in-situ mining permit (Permit No. 802 approved November 16, 2012) from the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. The revisions include modifications to Permit No. 802 to accommodate ISR operations with the use of low pH lixiviant in addition to alkaline lixiviant.
Written objections to the proposed permit revision must be received before the close of business January 26, 2019.
> View: Notice of Application for Permit Revision , Jan. 9, 2019 (Wyoming DEQ)
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality now makes it clear why it was so keen to take over uranium mining regulation from the NRC (see here): The comment period for its first action under the new regime was set to just two weeks - an approach so far only known from jurisdictions where public involvement is only meant to be a front. And, moreover, none of the related documents are made available on Internet, they have to be inspected at the government office.
Another disturbing aspect of the affair is that the field leach trials had only started a few days earlier (see below), so the application was filed before any results from these tests were available - again, an approach so far only known from jurisdictions where public involvement is only meant to be a front.

Acid leach trials started at Lance in situ leach uranium mine: On Dec. 28, 2018, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that its subsidiary Strata Energy has initiated field demonstration activities of low pH in-situ recovery (ISR) at the Lance Projects.

Lance in situ leach uranium mine obtains approval for acid leach scheme trials On Nov. 8, 2018, Peninsula Energy Limited announced that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) has approved a non-significant revision (NSR) to the existing Permit to Mine (PTM) related to testing low pH lixiviant for suitability as a uranium recovery process.

Feasibility Study "confirms robust economics" of change to acid leach scheme at Lance/Ross in situ leach uranium mine: On Sep. 17, 2018, Peninsula Energy Limited presented the results of a feasibility study confirming the viability of acid leaching at the Lance uranium project for a uranium sales price of US$ 48 per lb U₃O₈.
[On Nov. 14, 2018, Peninsula released revised resource tables for the Lance project, correcting errors in the tonnes ore and grade reported - almost 2 months after the errors were pointed out here...]

NRC cites license violation at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: On Sep. 12, 2018, NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Strata Energy, for "failure to (1) adequately calculate the quantity of hazardous material by activity for 11.e(2) byproduct material shipments; and (2) adequately assess dose to the public as required by NRC regulations."

Peninsula reduces alkaline operations at Lance in situ leach uranium mine in expectation of transition to acid leaching: On May 10, 2018, Peninsula Energy Limited advised that, in alignment with its planned transition to low pH operations at the Lance Projects, existing alkaline operations will be streamlined in order to preserve in-situ U₃O₈ pounds for future low pH extraction, and to reduce cash expenditure over the low pH permitting and transition period.

Peninsula submits license amendment request to convert Lance to first commercial in situ leach uranium mine using acid leach in the U.S.: On Apr. 9, 2018, Peninsula Energy Limited advised that its wholly owned subsidiary, Strata Energy Inc, has formally submitted a request to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) to amend its existing Permit to Mine to allow for the use of a low-pH recovery solution in the Ross Permit Area of the Lance Projects in Wyoming, USA.

Appeals court upholds NRC license for Ross in situ leach uranium mine: The D.C. Circuit [United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ] on Friday (Jan. 19) rejected environmental groups' effort to revive their challenge to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's decision to issue a license for Strata Energy Inc.'s uranium mining project in Wyoming.
In a unanimous opinion, a three-judge appeals panel said the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Powder River Basin Resource Council could not continue to seek review of the NRC license based on their claims that Strata had failed to adequately assess cumulative impacts of the proposed Ross Project and a planned expansion. (Law360 Jan. 19, 2018)
> View: Court opinion No. 16-1298, Jan. 19, 2018

NRC issues Environmental Assessment in favour of requested reduction of groundwater monitoring at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: [...] Strata is requesting that NRC approve a modification to License Condition 11.3 (C) for Mine Units Nos. 1 and 2 (MU1 and MU2) that would reduce the number of monitoring wells placed in the underlying (or deep monitoring [DM]) aquifer. [...]
The NRC evaluated the potential impacts to ground-water quality from the Proposed Action and determined that the changes would maintain Strata's ability to identify vertical exclusions, although it could potentially increase the time for restoration. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not warranted.
> Federal Register Volume 83, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018) p. 4079-4080 (download full text )
> Download: Final Environmental Assessment, Amendment 8 To Source And Byproduct Materials License SUA-1601 Regarding License Condition 11.3 (C) Strata Energy, Inc. Ross Project, Crook County, Wyoming , January 2018 (116 kB PDF)
> Download: Safety Evaluation Report (SER) , Nov. 28, 2017 (926kB PDF)
> Download: Safety Evaluation Report (SER), Rev. 6 , Jan. 2018 (400kB PDF)
> Download: License SUA-1601, Amendment 8 , Jan. 31, 2018 (457k PDF)
> Access: Docket ID NRC-2011-0148

Lance to become first commercial uranium in situ leach project in the U.S. using acid leach?: "Following comprehensive technical reviews and analysis, the Company has concluded that the Lance operating performance under the current alkaline lixiviant process is unlikely to achieve the production rates and unit costs required for sustainable long-term commercial success at anything other than substantially increased uranium prices, and that the operating unit of the business would continue to rely on cash flow from non-project related uranium purchases and sales."
"Laboratory scale tests were conducted to screen representative Lance Project core samples for amenability to alternative leach solutions, notably both mild sulphuric and citric acid."
"The laboratory test results indicate that the operating performance of the Lance Projects could be dramatically improved through the use of the alternate lower pH leach solutions similar to those employed at ISR projects in Australia, Kazakhstan and elsewhere. The test results also indicate that groundwater restoration efforts following low pH solution mining is efficient and effective." (Peninsula Energy Limited, Oct. 26, 2017)
All commercial uranium in situ leach mines in the U.S. have been using an alkaline leaching solution, so far.
In the early 1980s, groundwater restoration tests after in situ leaching with sulphuric acid were performed at the small pilot scale facility Nine Mile Lake near Casper, Wyoming (USA). It turned out that a water volume of more than 20 times the porevolume of the leaching zone had to be pumped, and still several parameters did not reach background levels (see here).
In Kazakhstan - which currently is the biggest uranium producer in the world, solely based on acid in situ leaching - no groundwater restoration is performed at all (see here).

Peninsula expects further impairment charge to Lance uranium in situ leach project: "Peninsula expects to record an impairment charge of between approximately US$ 25 million and US$ 35 million in the second half of the 2017 financial year. This is in addition to the US$ 39.049 million non-cash impairment charge to the Lance CGU [Cash Generating Unit] recorded at 31 December 2016." (Peninsula Energy Ltd Aug. 31, 2017)

NRC issues Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact on request to relax wellfield monitoring requirements at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an amendment of Source and Byproduct Materials License SUA-1601 to modify a License Condition for the Strata Energy, Inc. (Strata) Ross In Situ Recovery (ISR) Project. Specifically, Strata is requesting that NRC approve modifications to License Condition 11.3 (A) and (B) which pertain to requirements for the minimum density of baseline wells for a wellfield and distance to and spacing of the perimeter wells for a wellfield. The NRC has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for this licensing action.
> Federal Register Volume 82, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2017) p. 33159-33160 (download full text )
> Download Final Environmental Assessment , July 2017 (10.8MB PDF)
> Access Docket ID NRC-2011-0148

NRC cites license violation at Ross in situ leach uranium mine: On Mar. 2, 2017, NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Strata Energy, Inc. for failure to provide adequate shipping papers for a hazardous material transport.

Deferral of ramp-up announced for Lance in situ leach uranium projects due to "challenging" market situation: On Dec. 8, 2016, Peninsula Energy Limited announced to "Defer Stage 2 capital expenditure until receipt of additional contracts". Stage 2 comprises an increase of the annual production rate from the current 0.5 million lbs U₃O₈ [192 t U] to 1.2 million lbs U₃O₈ [462 t U].

Wyoming DEQ issues Notice of Violation to Ross in situ leach uranium mine: "The violation is for failure to remove topsoil prior to affecting lands and failure to protect stockpiled topsoil from acid or toxic materials and preserve topsoil in a useful condition."
> Download: Notice of Violation, Nov. 1, 2016 (WY DEQ - 1.2MB PDF)

NRC denies review of initial Board decisions on environmental contentions brought against licence for Ross in situ leach uranium mine:
> Download: Memorandum and Order CLI-16-13, June 29, 2016

NRC subsequently issued an update for the Record of Decision for the Ross project.
> Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016) p. 69554-69555 (download full text )
> Download: Record of Decision for the Ross uranium in-situ recovery project in Crook County, Wyoming , Sep. 28, 2016 (106k PDF)
> Acces Docket ID NRC-2011-0148

First delivery from Ross in situ leach uranium mine: On Jan. 5, 2016, Peninsula Energy Limited announced it has completed its first U₃O₈ delivery under its wholly owned subsidiary, Strata Energy Inc.'s 2011 sale and purchase agreement with a United States utility.

> View older issues

License violations and reportable events at Ross in-situ leaching site

• Aug. 9, 2017: 4,316 gallon spill of injection fluid
• July 27, 2017: 10,008 gallon spill of injection fluid
• May 25, 2017: 800 gallon spill of injection fluid
• Feb. 28, 2017: Samples taken from Pond 1 Monitor Well in exceedance of limits
• Oct. 11, 2016: 1000 gallon spill of injection solution (1.46 mg/L U)
• July 19, 2016: 1620 gallon spill of retention pond water (2 mg/L U)
• June 1, 2016: 500 - 600 gallon spill of recovery solution (22.6 ppm U)
• April 27, 2016: Pond monitor well indicates release from Pond 1 (however, Strata Energy believes that the exceedance is likely a result of natural variation in shallow groundwater quality)
• March 3, 2016: 1200 gallon spill of waste water (0.7 mg/L U)

Lost Creek (ISL), Sweetwater County

NRC Docket No.

> View deposit data

Comment invited on license amendment for Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: Lost Creek ISR, LLC, has applied for an amendment to Source Material License WYSUA 1598 from the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality of the State of Wyoming.
The mining operation began August 2013 and is estimated to continue until 2037. The land, after mining, will be returned to livestock grazing and wildlife. The amendment clarifies language in the license and corrects conflicting reporting/monitoring requirements.
Written comments or objections to the proposed license amendment must be received before the close of business, January 28^th, 2025.
> View: WY DEQ Public Notice Dec. 6, 2024

Ur-Energy announces restart of commercial production at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: On May 30, 2023, Ur-Energy Inc. announced the successful startup of production flow from Header House 2-4 at our Lost Creek In Situ Uranium Facility in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Production rates will continue to increase as additional header houses in Mine Unit 2 come online this year.

Comment invited on further expansion of Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: Lost Creek ISR, LLC of 1478 Willer Drive, Casper, WY 82604 has applied for an in situ mining permit amendment to Permit to Mine #788 for the LC East/KM Amendment expansion from the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality of the State of Wyoming to mine additional areas within the existing permitted Lost Creek Project and to expand mining into the contiguous LC East Project. [...] The proposed operation is scheduled to begin June 2023 and is estimated to continue until 2035.
Submit comments by January 30, 2023.
> View: WY DEQ Public Notice Dec. 12, 2022

> See also: Expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach project (KM Horizon and Lost Creek East)

Uranium mining company pockets virus aid, though not affected at all by the pandemic: A Colorado uranium company that pressed the Trump administration to set up barriers against imports and found allies for that cause in Congress received a nearly $1 million loan for relief from the coronavirus pandemic even as it said the tumbling economy had not affected its flagship operation.
Ur-Energy Inc. received $893,300 through two of its subsidiaries during the first round of loans the federal government distributed in its Paycheck Protection Program.
Under the PPP, small businesses that have been affected at all by the pandemic and government-mandated shutdowns can get forgivable loans for payroll, rent, utility and mortgage payments as long as at least 75 percent of the loan goes to payroll. (RollCall May 7, 2020)

However, in an Apr. 20, 2020, release the company disclosed that the pandemic has not affected the company at all: "[...] we are fortunate to report that our workforce remains healthy and fully employed [...] At this time, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused no interruption of our production operations at Lost Creek and did not interfere with our scheduled delivery and sales into term contract commitments in early February and again in early April."
Moreover, the company's only active uranium mine was almost running idle anyway due to the current depression of the uranium market: "During 2020 Q1, 4,113 pounds of U₃O₈ [1.6 t U] were captured within the Lost Creek plant and 1,433 pounds [0.55 t U] were packaged in drums. Drumming activities during the quarter were limited, as packaging only occurs on an as-needed basis to minimize cost. No shipments of product were made to the conversion facility during the quarter. At March 31, 2020, inventory at the conversion facility was approximately 268,552 pounds U₃O₈ [103 t U]."
The company rather fulfilled its delivery contracts with uranium it purchased elsewhere, thereby earning a comfortable profit of $3.2 million - easily outshining the virus aid: "In 2020 Q1, we sold 33,000 pounds [12.7 t U] at an average price per pound of $41.52 for revenues of $1.4 million. The pounds were purchased at an average cost per pound of $24.94 and cost of sales amounted to $0.8 million. In early April, we sold 167,000 pounds [64 t U] at an average price per pound of $41.51 for revenues of $6.9 million. The pounds were purchased at an average cost per pound of $26.01 and cost of sales amounted to $4.3 million."

In view of large number of spills at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine, NRC demands declaration of remediation costs for soil contamination:
"Description of Deficiency
The 2017-2018 surety estimate does not include a line item with detailed information or an explanation of estimated costs for remediation of radioactive contamination in onsite subsurface material.
Since operations were initiated in 2013, Lost Creek has experienced 29 reportable unplanned releases, based on Wyoming criteria for reportable spills and Lost Creek's Standard Operating Procedures (for purposes of this RAI, an unplanned release is referred to as a ''spill''). In accordance with license condition 11.6, Lost Creek has maintained records of the site areas where these spills have occurred and provided notification of the spill to the NRC and the State of Wyoming. However, many spill notifications and subsequent reports did not include soil sampling results. In response to an inquiry during a recent NRC inspection, Lost Creek committed to obtaining the soil sample results (ML17215A944).
In response to a recent spill of 188,000 gallons, the NRC staff obtained an estimate of occupational dose that was provided by Lost Creek (ML18003A578). While the response is correct that no remediation is warranted relative to occupational dose, the reported radium-226 concentration of 16 pCi/g [0.592 Bq/g] above background exceeds the Lost Creek's proposed unrestrictive cleanup soil standard for radium-226 of 1.8 pCi/g [0.0666 Bq/g] for spills. Furthermore, review of recent annual reports to the State of Wyoming suggests that soil levels in other site areas where unplanned releases occurred may exceed Lost Creek's proposed soil cleanup levels. [...]" [emphasis added]
> Download: Request for Additional Information (RAI) Input for Lost Creek ISR Project 2017-18 Surety Estimate , U.S. NRC, Jan. 10, 2017 (PDF)

Wyoming DEQ invites public comment on draft amendment to deep disposal well permit for Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine: The applicant proposes a modification to three (3) existing Class I injection wells to inject nonhazardous waste water associated with In-situ Recovery (ISR) operations at the Lost Creek ISR, LLC mine in Sweetwater County into an added discharge zone in the Lower Battle Spring Formation. The wells covered by this permit will inject at depths ranging from 5,622 to 9,561 feet below ground surface.
The public is invited to comment on this draft permit until 5:00 P.M, January 8, 2018.
> Download Public Notice Dec. 9, 2017 (PDF)
> Download Draft Permit 16-145, Nov. 2017 (PDF)
> Download Statement of Basis, Dec. 8, 2017 (PDF)
> Download Fact Sheet, Dec. 8, 2017 (PDF)

Radioactive waste containers at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine not covered: "[...] on October 18, 2017, the licensee failed to place equipment that cannot be decontaminated and process wastes in clearly labeled, covered containers, while temporarily stored in a restricted area with clearly visible radioactive warning signs." (NRC Inspection Report 040-09068/2017-002 and Notice of Violation, Nov. 30, 2017)

Mine Unit at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine shut down after second major spill within weeks: On Sep. 6, 2017, Lost Creek ISR, LLC, notified the NRC of an "unplanned release" on Sep. 5, 2017, comprising 10,000 gallons of injection fluid with a uranium concentration of 1.1 ppm. As this spill occured in a different Header House of the same Mine Unit as the release of Aug. 19, 2017, the company announced a voluntary shut down of all Header Houses in Mine Unit 1 "to facilitate investigation and evaluation".
> Download Notification of Release, Sep. 6, 2017 (PDF)

Major spill at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine

Notification of Release, Aug. 25, 2017

Yellowcake drum damaged during loading of carrier trailer at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: "The incident occurred at the Lost Creek ISR Project facility during the loading of drums into a contract carrier conveyance (53 foot enclosed cargo trailer) via forklift fitted with a drum carrying apparatus. The Heath [?!] Physics Technician (HPT) and two maintenance workers were involved in the loading operation of packaged uranium yellowcake (U₃O₈, 1A2 drums, Lot# LC-060D). The forklift operator (maintenance worker certified on forklift) was positioning a drum between the trailer wall and another loaded drum with the forklift when the drum carrying apparatus accidentally struck the adjacent drum causing a rupture. Yellowcake within the drum was released and a small amount spilled onto the trailer deck. The linear rupture was approximately 2-3 inches at the approximate midpoint of the side of the drum."
> Download: Hazardous Materials Incident Report Submittal for the Lost Creek ISR Project for DOT Report Number 1181739 on June 20, 2017 , Lost Creek ISR, LLC, July 18, 2017 (3.9PDF)

NRC cites four license violations at Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: Based on the results of an inspection held on Sep. 27-29, 2016, the NRC has determined that four violations of NRC requirements have occurred. These violations involved failure to:

1. conduct a Safety and Environmental Review Panel (SERP) or request a license amendment for organizational changes and a change in duties and responsibilities associated with personnel in the Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Program;
2. properly secure radioactive material in storage;
3. obtain a radiation work permit prior to accessing the dryer;
4. perform adequate material release surveys.

NRC Inspection Report Dec. 21, 2016

NRC issues Environmental Assessment for five additional shallow disposal wells at Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine:
"LCI's proposed action is to amend NRC License SUA-1598 to include the injection of treated wastewater into UIC Class V disposal wells at the Lost Creek ISR Facility (LCI, 2015a). The wells that LCI proposes to use for this function have already been installed. Five wells were installed at the Lost Creek site for monitoring and characterization, which LCI now proposes to use as UIC Class V disposal wells. LCI would operate the UIC Class V wells in addition to the UIC Class I deep disposal wells for the disposal of wastewater from its site operations. [...]
The proposed injection interval ranges in depth from approximately 58-138 m [190-455 ft] below the ground surface. The proposed maximum injection rate is 760 L/min [200 gpm] and the requested maximum permissible injection pressure is 3.15 x 10⁵ Pa [45.7 psi]. Based on a continuous injection rate of 265 L/min [60 gpm] for five years and 760 L/min [200 gpm] during the remainder of an assumed operational period of 14 years, LCI estimates the total injected volume to be 4.2 x 10⁹ L [1.48 x 10⁸ cubic feet] (1.1 billion gallons)".
> Download Environmental Assessment for the Lost Creek in situ uranium recovery facility license amendment for Class V Underground Injection Control , August 2016 (2.5MB PDF)
> Federal Register Volume 81, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016) p. 61257-61258 (download full text )
> Access Docket ID NRC-2008-0391

Wyoming DEQ issues permit for two disposal wells at Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine:
> Download: Permit 15-081, June 8, 2016 (6.5MB PDF)

NRC cites four license violations at Lost Creek in situ leach mine: Based on an inspection on December 1-3, 2015, NRC has determined that two Severity Level IV violations of NRC requirements occurred. The violations involved the failure to perform daily pond inspections, and the failure to store contaminated waste in accordance with license application commitments.
Additionally, two Severity Level IV violations were identified during an NRC inspection from December 3-6, 2013, and during two NRC investigations conducted from December 2013 through September 2015. The violations involved the failure to maintain an inward hydraulic gradient and the failure to maintain the minimum freeboard of 3 feet in the waste water storage ponds.
> Download Inspection Report and Notice of Violation, Jan. 7, 2015 (PDF)

Expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach project (KM Horizon and Lost Creek East):

Wyoming DEQ approves expansion of Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: On Mar. 29, 2021, Ur-Energy Inc. announced that the Wyoming Uranium Recovery Program ("URP") has approved the LC East and KM amendments to the Lost Creek license allowing expansion of mining activities within the existing Lost Creek Project and in the adjacent LC East project.
This license approval grants the company access to six planned mine units in addition to the already licensed three mine units at Lost Creek. The approval also increases the license limit for annual plant production to 2.2 million pounds U₃O₈ [846 t U] which includes wellfield production of up to 1.2 million pounds U₃O₈ [462 t U] and toll processing up to one million pounds U₃O₈ [385 t U].

Wyoming DEQ invites public comment on proposed expansion of Lost Creek in situ leach uranium mine: Lost Creek ISR, LLC, has applied for an amendment to Source Material License SUA 1598 from the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality of the State of Wyoming to mine additional areas within the existing Lost Creek Project and to expand mining into the contiguous LC East Project.
The Department of Environmental Quality has issued an initial draft decision to approve the license amendment application. Information regarding this initial draft decision and the application may be reviewed in the office of the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality in Cheyenne or the Sweetwater County Clerk's Office in Green River, Wyoming.
Submit comments by March 1, 2021.
> View Public Notice: Application to Amend Source Material License SUA 1598 - Lost Creek ISR, LLC , Jan. 12, 2021

BLM approves expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday [Mar. 19] it has approved an expansion to double the surface area of Littleton, Colorado-based Ur-Energy's Lost Creek Mine. (KGWN-TV Mar. 19, 2019)
> View: BLM release Mar. 19, 2019
> Download: Record of Decision (1.1MB PDF)
> View BLM Rawlins project page

Final EIS Report for Expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine released for public comment:
Submit comments by February 28, 2019 (comment period extended).
> Federal Register Volume 83, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2018) p. 67282 (download full text )
> Download: Final Environmental Impacts Statement, Lost Creek Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project Modifications , U.S. Bureau of Land Management, December 2018 (9.2MB PDF) · alternate source (NEPA)
> View BLM Rawlins project page

Draft EIS Report for Expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine released for public comment: The BLM will release the draft EIS for the proposal this Friday [Aug. 31], kicking off a 45-day comment period ending on Oct. 15, 2018.
> View BLM release Aug. 28, 2018
> Download: Lost Creek Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project Modifications, Rawlins, Wyoming, Environmental Impact Statement, Draft August 2018 , U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (12.1MB PDF)
> View BLM Rawlins project page

NRC issues Draft Safety Evaluation Report for Expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach project (KM Horizon and Lost Creek East):
> Download: Draft Safety Evaluation Report Aug. 5, 2018 (896kB PDF)

Proposed expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine reduced in size: By letter dated March 2, 2018, Lost Creek ISR, LLC formally withdrew KM Horizon Mine Units 3 and 12 from the Lost Creek KM Amendment.

NRC announces opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene on expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received an application from Lost Creek ISR, LLC to amend its Source and Byproduct Materials License (SUA-1598) for the Lost Creek Facility in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The amendment would authorize recovery of uranium by In Situ Recovery (ISR) extraction techniques at the Lost Creek East Expansion Area, which is adjacent to the existing approved facility, and at the next deeper horizon at both the existing and proposed expansion area.
A request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene must be filed by September 11, 2017.
> Federal Register Volume 82, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017) p. 32382-32386 (download full text )
> Access Docket ID NRC-2008-0391

Amended license application submitted for expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach project:
> Download Amended Technical and Environmental Reports for KM Horizon and Lost Creek East , Feb. 27, 2017
> Download Supplement to Amendment Application , Apr. 25, 2017

NRC denies acceptance of license application for expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach project for inadequate demonstration of vertical confinement of fluids in production zone:
"During the acceptance review, deficiencies were identified that prevent the NRC from accepting the application for detailed technical review. These deficiencies include incomplete characterization of the confining unit that underlies the KM horizon and an inadequate demonstration that KM horizon production fluids can be contained within the production zone. The vertical confinement or hydraulic isolation between the ore production zone and upper and lower aquifers is essential to safely conducting in situ recovery operations."
> Download NRC letter May 18, 2016

BLM issues Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for expansion of Lost Creek uranium in situ leach project: Lost Creek ISR, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ur-Energy Inc., has requested to modify their Lost Creek Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project, 43 CFR 3809 Plan of operations, approved October 5, 2012. The proposed plan amendments (Lost Creek East, KM Horizon, and secondary objectives received September 29, 2014) would expand uranium production by in-situ recovery methods and increase associated milling facilities.
Submit comments by October 29, 2015.
> View BLM release Sep. 14, 2015
> Federal Register Volume 80, Number 177 (Monday, September 14, 2015) p. 55149-55150 (download full text )

> Download Background Radiological Characteristics Data Report for the Lost Creek Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project Modifications , U.S. DOI, Oct. 2015 (18.4MB PDF)

> Lost Creek Uranium In Situ Recovery Project (BLM Rawlins Field Office)

Yellow Cake release at Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine: On July 18, 2015 the yellowcake dryer, unit 1, emitted yellowcake out of the side of the dryer. Airborne uranium was detected outside the dryer room. (Ur-Energy, July 28, 2015)
> Download: Lost Creek ISR, LLC Memo: Incident Investigation for Release of Yellowcake through Dryer 1 Packing , July 28, 2015 (282k PDF)

NRC issues temporary exemption from certain NRC financial assurance requirements for Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine:
> Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015) p. 44158-44160 (download full text )
> Federal Register Volume 80, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 2015) p. 50875 (correction) (download full text )
> Access Docket ID NRC-2008-0391

NRC issues Notice of Violation for three license violations at Lost Creek in situ leach mine, involving worker exposure to yellow cake dust, among others: "The violations involve your failure to issue a Radiation Work Permit for clean up after a yellowcake [spill], which resulted in several workers receiving uranium intakes; failure to evaluate the use of storage tanks on an embankment; and the failure to generate monthly reports by the Radiation Safety Officer."
Concerning the first violation, NRC noted: "Specifically, ten workers cleaned up a spill of yellowcake, which originated in the dryer/drumming room, without a Standard Operating Procedure or by working under a Radiation Work Permit. This work was non-routine with the potential for exposure to yellowcake for which no written operating procedure already existed. Consequently, six individuals received intakes of uranium exceeding the action level of 15 micrograms of uranium per liter of urine (ug/L), as confirmed by positive bioassays, while working in this area. The bioassay results ranged from 24 ug/L to 102.5 ug/L." [emphasis added]
> Download NRC Inspections 040-09068/13-002 and 040-0968/14-001 and Notice of Violation , Nov. 14, 2014 (161k PDF)

Production rate at recently opened Lost Creek in situ leach mine almost halved due to low uranium spot price: "During Q2 2014, production rates at the Lost Creek Project were controlled at levels that allowed the Company to fulfill its contractual sales requirements without participating in the uranium spot market. [...] For the quarter, 116,707 pounds of U₃O₈ were captured within the Lost Creek plant." (Ur-Energy July 16, 2014)
[compared to the Q1 output of 198,600 pounds, this represents a reduction by 41%]

Freeboard exceedance of holding ponds at Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine went unnoticed for six weeks: "On March 26, 2014, during a Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality - Land Quality Division Inspection, the inspector and the Lost Creek Manager of EHS recognized that the water levels in both ponds exceeded freeboard limits. A subsequent review of the daily pond inspection reports showed that the water level exceeded freeboard beginning on February 9, 2014."
> Download Lost Creek ISR, LLC, letter to NRC, Apr. 14, 2014 (ADAMS Acc. No. ML14105A301)

State orders halt of operation at Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine for failure to maintain bleed: "[...] WDEQ/LQD District 2 has determined that failure to maintain an instantaneous bleed at the Lost Creek site is a violation of the approved Permit. Specifically, Section OP 3.6 of the Operations Plan, entitled 'Mine Unit Control' clearly states that 'The most basic aspect of mine unit control is the bleed system; e.g., overproduction. The bleed system will be used so the volume of injection fluid will be less than the volume of production fluid in a mine unit ... The anticipated bleed rate is 0.5 to 1.5 percent.'
In the attached Telephone Conversation Record it is indicated that there was no bleed on the Mine Unit I well field for 45 days out of the first 130 days of operation. The reason that no bleed has been maintained is because the mine currently does not have adequate waste water disposal capacity. [...]
Please comply with the following:
1. Stop injection immediately and maintain a cone of depression (hydrologic sink) in MU1 well field by pumping as necessary. [...]"
[Letter of Violation, Dec. 13, 2013 (WY DEQ - PDF, ADAMS Acc. No. ML13358A161 - emphasis added]

First uranium product shipment from Lost Creek in situ leach mine: On Dec. 4, 2013, Ur-Energy Inc. announced that it has shipped the first load of yellowcake from its Lost Creek Project on December 3, 2013.

Wyoming DEQ invites public comment on draft amendment to deep disposal well permit for Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine:
The public is invited to comment on this draft permit until November 27th, 2013.
> Download Public Notice Oct. 24, 2013 (PDF)
> Download Draft Permit Oct. 24, 2013 (PDF)
> Download Supplemental Information (PDF)

Court upholds BLM Record of Decision on Lost Creek uranium mine project: On Sep. 19, 2013, Ur-Energy Inc. announced that it has received an "Order Upholding Agency Action" from the U.S. District Court for Wyoming which upholds the BLM's Record of Decision authorizing the Company's Lost Creek Project in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
On September 18, 2013, the U.S. District Court for Wyoming denied all relief sought by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance , a Wyoming-based environmental group, which had challenged the Lost Creek Record of Decision issued by the BLM in October 2012.

> View older issues

License violations and reportable events at Lost Creek in-situ leaching site

• Aug. 16, 2018: monitor well on excursion
• Jul. 28, 2018: 1,625 gallon spill of production fluid (84 mg/L U₃O₈)
• Jun. 21, 2018: monitor well on excursion
• Apr. 5-7, 2018: bleed rate lower than 0.5% requirement
• Oct. 9, 2017: monitor well on excursion
• Sep. 5, 2017: 10,000 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.1 ppm U)
• Aug. 19, 2017: 188,000 gallon [712 m³] spill of injection fluid (1.2 mg/L U) (view details)
• May 22, 2017: 1,100 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.5 mg/L U)
• Feb. 6, 2017: 3,360 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.5 ppm U)
• Jan. 9, 2017: 3,654 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.3 ppm U)
• Dec. 22, 2016: 582 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.5 ppm U)
• Sep. 29, 2016: vertical excursion at monitor well
• July 20, 2016: 13,650 gallon spill of production fluid (89.1 ppm U)
• Oct. 18, 2015: 367 gallon spill of production fluid (59.4 mg/L U)
• Sep. 11, 2015: NRC Notice of Violation (failure to issue Radiation Work Permits)
• Aug. 20, 2015: monitor well on excursion
• July 15, 2015: monitor well on excursion
• May 27, 2015: monitor well on excursion
• Apr. 8, 2015: 960 gallon spill of injection fluid (2.6 mg/L U)
• Mar. 11, 2015: 915 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.2 mg/L U)
• Mar. 6, 2015: 13,395 gallon spill of waste water (24.9 mg/L U)
• Jan. 13, 2015: 6,128 gallon spill of injection fluid (2.3 mg/L U)
• Dec. 16, 2014: 900 gallon spill of production fluid (146 mg/L U)
• Dec. 12, 2014: 2,835 gallon spill of injection fluid (3.8 mg/L U)
• Dec. 12, 2014: 5,520 gallon spill of production fluid (64.6 mg/L U)
• Lost Creek Spill Map (excerpt) , Annual Report 2014
• Nov. 20, 2014: 700 gallon spill of injection fluid (3.1 mg/L U)
• Nov. 14, 2014: NRC Notice of Violations (3 violations, see above)
• Sep. 15, 2014: 370 gallon spill of injection fluid (5 mg/L U)
• Jul. 13, 2014: 1,260 gallon spill of "raw groundwater" (2.3 mg/L U?)
• Jun. 3, 2014: 57,000 gallon spill of production fluid (132 mg/L U)
• May 30, 2014: 900 gallon spill of waste water
• Mar. 29, 2014: 15,513 gallon spill of waste water
• Mar. 25, 2014: 6,000 gallon spill of production fluid (194 mg/L U)
• Mar. 20, 2014: 1,854 gallon spill of waste water
• Feb. 25, 2014: 1,400 gallon spill of injection fluid (50.3 mg/L U)
• Feb. 9 - Mar. 28, 2014: freeboard exceedance at two holding ponds (see above)
• Jan. 18, 2014: 680 gallon spill of injection fluid
• Jan. 18, 2014: 475 gallon spill of injection fluid (8.67 mg/L U)
• Dec. 13, 2013: State orders halt of operation at Lost Creek uranium in situ leach mine for failure to maintain bleed (see above)
• Nov. 23, 2013: 840 gallon spill of injection fluid (12 mg/L U)
• Nov. 12, 2013: 3,360 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.08 mg/L U)
• Aug. 4, 2013: 24,458 gallon spill of injection fluid (< 1 ppm U)
• Aug. 3, 2013: 2,200 gallon spill of injection fluid (< 1 ppm U)

Willow Creek (ISL), Campbell County

NRC Docket No.

> View deposit info
> View License violations and reportable events
> see also decommissioning issues
> see also Ludeman satellite project
> View NRC page

Irigaray in situ leach uranium processing plant receives approval for 60% capacity increase

Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium mine restarted

Uranium Energy Corp. files notice for restart of Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine

Wyoming DEQ Public Notice June 1, 2024

Restart planned for Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium mine

Wyoming DEQ invites public comment on license renewal for deep disposal wells at Christensen Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

Updated Public Notice Jan. 12, 2023

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on proposed extension of aquifer exemption for Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium mine

DEQ Public Notice, June 4, 2020

Uranium One requests approval of reclamation and decommissioning plan updates for Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium mine site

DEQ Public Notice, Sep. 30, 2019

Uranium One requests five-year interim stabilization for Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium mine site

DEQ Public Notice, May 8, 2019

NRC issues Notice of Violation to Uranium One USA, Inc. for failures at Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine

NRC approves Ludeman satellite project to Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine

Anfield Resources finalizes agreement on processing of uranium-laden resins at Uranium One's Irigaray processing plant

On September 14, 2016, Anfield Resources Inc. announced that it has closed a transaction with Uranium One Americas Inc. ("Uranium One") for the transfer of 24 uranium mining properties in Wyoming, comprising 2,667 federal mining claims, 56 Wyoming State leases and 15 private leases (the "Properties") in the Black Hills, Powder River Basin, Great Divide Basin, Laramie Basin, Shirley Basin and Wind River Basin areas.
As a key part of the transaction, Anfield has also agreed in principle on the final terms of a Resin Processing Agreement with Uranium One whereby Anfield would process up to 500,000 pounds [192 t U] per annum of its mined material at Uranium One's Irigaray processing plant in Wyoming.

Leaks and embankment crack at evaporation ponds of Uranium One's Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine

• "Pond CR-2 has an identified leak and we are currently dropping the water level. Uranium One has tentatively planned to begin relining Pond CR-2 during the 4th quarter of 2016.
  
• Pond IR-D has an identified leak and Uranium One intends to lower the water level so the pond can be inspected for holes in the liner. The lowering of the water level is an ongoing process.
  
• In the first week of November 2015 during a routine weekly pond inspection a crack was observed on the east embankment of the CR permeate pond. On November 5, 2015 the HSE Manager and site personnel did an inspection of the pond and determined that there was a problem with the pond embankment and took the pond out of service. [...]"
  

NRC issues Notice of Violation to Uranium One USA, Inc. for failure to maintain bleed at Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine

Inspection Report and Notice of Violation, Aug. 26, 2016

NRC issues Notice of Violation to Uranium One USA, Inc. for failures at Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine

Inspection Reports and Notice of Violation, Dec. 11, 2014

NRC denies acceptance for review of Uranium One's proposal for simplified monitoring of airborne effluents at Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine

NRC letter to Uranium One, Nov. 12, 2014

Development halt of new well fields at Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine continues for another year

And again: pressure buildup in drum filled with yellow cake at Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine causes contamination incident at conversion plant - this time in Metropolis (Illinois)

Root Cause Analysis Report, September 9, 2014 Incident Investigation Pressurized Drum of Yellowcake at the Honeywell Uranium Refinery, October 27, 2014, Revised February 24, 2015

> See also current issues Metropolis conversion plant, Illinois
> See also 2012 contamination incident in Canadian refinery caused by yellow cake shipped from Uranium One's in situ leach mine in Wyoming

NRC issues Notice of Violation to Uranium One for failure to follow procedures established to prevent pressure buildup in drums filled with yellow cake at Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on proposed license renewal for planned deep disposal wells at Irigaray in situ leach uranium mine

WY DEQ Public Notices

NRC issues temporary exemption from certain financial assurance requirements to Uranium One for its Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine

download full text

Docket ID NRC-2014-0177

Spill continued unnoticed for nine days at Uranium One's Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine

Processing of yellow cake from mothballed South Australian Honeymoon mine at Willow Creek in situ leach mine in Wyoming

Uranium One Letter to NRC, Dec. 10, 2013

license amendment request

On Oct. 21, 2014, NRC approved the requested license amendment request, with conditions.
> Download NRC letter to Uranium One, Oct. 21, 2014 [ML14212A164]
> Download Licence Amendment 3, SUA-1341, Oct. 21, 2014 [ML14212A173]

On Nov. 21, 2014, NRC issued its review and verification that the requirements of the license amendment have been met and that shipments of redried Honeymoon yellowcake from the Willow Creek Project may commence.
> Download Safety Evaluation Report, Nov. 21, 2014 [ML14323A957]

Uranium One halts development of new well fields at Willow Creek in situ leach uranium mine owing to low uranium price

Irigaray expansion

On May 31, 2013, Uranium One notified the NRC that the license amendment application for the Irigaray expansion is now scheduled for submittal end of the fourth quarter 2015.

Wyoming DEQ authorizes operation of Unit 10A Well Field at Christensen Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

Wyoming DEQ authorizes operation of Unit 8 Well Field at Christensen Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

NRC takes action in case of contamination incident in Canadian refinery caused by yellow cake shipped from Uranium One's in situ leach mine in Wyoming

Confirmatory Action Letter CAL 4-12-003, July 5, 2012

Preliminary Notification PNO-IV-2012-005, July 5, 2012

On Dec. 4, 2012, NRC notified Uranium One, that "Based on an independent evaluation of the adequacy of corrective actions taken, the NRC has determined that the actions prescribed in CAL 4-12-003 have been met. Consequently, the NRC is closing the CAL, which will allow Uranium One to resume shipments of yellowcake product in accordance with the new packaging and transportation procedures."
> Download Preliminary Notification PNO-IV-2012-005A, December 4, 2012 (PDF)

> See also: NRC issues revised Information Notice on prevention of gas buildup in yellow cake drums
> See also current issues Blind River Refinery (Ontario)

Commissioning phase at Willow Creek (ex Christensen Ranch) ISL uranium mine still ongoing after almost one year

NRC begins special investigation of Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine after aerial release of yellow cake powder

NRC release Oct. 5, 2011

State issues Notice of Violation for spill of sodium chloride brine solution at Willow Creek uranium in situ leach mine

Notice of Violation NOV #4900-11, Sep. 19, 2011

Notice of Compliance, Oct. 19, 2011

License renewal of Willow Creek (formerly Christensen Ranch / Irigaray) uranium in situ leach mine

download full text

License SUA-1341, March 7, 2013

Safety Evaluation Report, March 2013

NRC issues Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for license renewal with more than doubled flow rate:
> Federal Register Volume 78, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2013) p. 5514-5516 (download full text )
"This supplemental environmental assessment addresses new information since the original environmental assessment for license renewal regarding the applicant's proposed change to increase the licensee's Christensen Ranch satellite plant throughput from 15,140 liters per minute (L/min) (4,000 gallons per minute (gpm)) to 34,070 L/min (9,000 gpm)."
> Download: Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for License Renewal for Uranium One USA, Inc., Willow Creek Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project, Johnson and Campbell Counties, WY, License SUA-1341, January 2013 (147k PDF)
> Access Docket ID NRC-2009-0036

NRC issues Final Environmental Assessment for license renewal: "CONCLUSION: The NRC staff concludes that the renewal of License SUA-1341, involving continued operation of the Irigaray and Christensen Ranch projects, would not significantly impact the environment."
> Federal Register: July 14, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 135) p. 41528-41529 (download full text )
> Download Final Environmental Assessment, July 2011 (789k PDF)

Uranium One fined US$ 25,000 for missed sampling of 24 monitor wells at Willow Creek ISL uranium mine

NOV #4831-11

Settlement Agreement, May 2011

Termination of Notice of Violation

Public comment invited on proposed additional deep disposal wells at Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium mine

Public Notice

Draft Permit 10-219

Fact Sheet

Transfer of ownership of the Christensen Ranch ISL mine to Atomredmetzoloto

Atomredmetzoloto can't export uranium mined in Wyoming

NRC approves transfer of ownership of the Christensen Ranch ISL mine to Atomredmetzoloto

NRC release Nov. 24, 2010

download full text

NRC provides opportunity to request hearing and/or provide comments on the proposed transfer of ownership of the Christensen Ranch ISL mine to Atomredmetzoloto

> Download NRC release Sep. 20, 2010 (PDF)
> Federal Register: September 20, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 181) p. 57300-57302 (download full text )

Christensen Ranch to become first Russian-owned uranium mine in the U.S.

Uranium One plans to have new Wyoming ISL projects licensed as satellites to newly acquired Christensen Ranch / Irigaray mine

Uranium One acquires Christensen Ranch and Irigaray uranium in-situ leach mines

NRC approves acquisition of Christensen Ranch and Irigaray uranium in-situ leach mines by Uranium One Inc.: On Dec. 17, 2009, NRC issued an order providing consent to the change of control.
Federal Register: December 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 249) p. 69152-69153 (download full text )

NRC provides opportunity to request a hearing concerning acquisition of Christensen Ranch and Irigaray uranium in-situ leach mines by Uranium One Inc.: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an application submitted on September 18, 2009, by Cogema Mining, Inc. (Cogema or the Applicant), requesting consent for an indirect change of control with respect to its NRC Materials License SUA-1341. Under this license, Cogema operates the Irigaray and Christensen Ranch in situ leach (ISL) uranium milling facilities that are located in Johnson and Campbell Counties, Wyoming. Cogema is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cogema Resources, Inc. (Cogema Resources), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Areva NC. Cogema Resources is planning to sell Cogema to Uranium One Exploration U.S.A., Inc. (Uranium One), which, through several subsidiaries, is wholly owned by Uranium One, Inc.
A request for a hearing must be filed by November 19, 2009.
Federal Register: October 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 209) p. 56241-56243 (download full text )

Uranium One Inc. to acquire Christensen Ranch and Irigaray uranium in-situ leach mines: On Aug. 10, 2009, Uranium One Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the MALCO Joint Venture from wholly-owned subsidiaries of AREVA and EDF for US$ 35 million in cash.
The assets of MALCO include the licensed and permitted Irigaray ISR central processing plant, the Christensen Ranch satellite ISR facility and associated U₃O₈ resources located in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming.
The Irigaray and Christensen Ranch facilities are expected to form the basis of a new operating plan for the Company's projects in Wyoming. Uranium One anticipates that its Moore Ranch project will now become a satellite ISR operation, with loaded resins being transported to Irigaray for further processing into dried U₃O₈. Uranium One's additional projects in the Powder River Basin, including Ludeman, Peterson, Allemand-Ross and Barge could also be developed as satellite operations with final processing through Irigaray.

NRC staff finds no problem with groundwater impacts of existing in-situ leach uranium mines

U.S. NRC issues Notice of license renewal request for Christensen and Irigaray Ranch uranium in-situ leach facilities and opportunity to request a hearing

A request for a hearing must be filed by April 10, 2009.

Federal Register: February 9, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 25) p. 6436-6440 (download full text)

Restart of Christensen Ranch/Irigaray uranium ISL mines

Christensen Ranch/Irigaray uranium ISL mines restarted without EPA approval

By letter dated Apr. 20, 2011, Uranium One contested the applicability of 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart W to its in situ leach operations.

Production restarted at Christensen Ranch/Irigaray uranium ISL mines

NRC authorizes restart of Christensen Ranch/Irigaray uranium ISL mines

NRC release Dec. 17, 2010

NRC issues Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for restart of Christensen Ranch/Irigaray uranium ISL mines

download full text

Environmental Assessment Sep. 2008

The requested license amendment to revert from restoration and decommissioning status to operating status was issued by NRC on Sep. 30, 2008.

NRC issues Notice of license amendment request for restart of Christensen Ranch/Irigaray uranium ISL mines and opportunity to request a hearing

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COGEMA to restart Christensen Ranch in-situ leach uranium mine

"Due to an increase in the uranium market price, mining is anticipated to resume at Christensen Ranch during year 2007. The final decision to resume mining is still pending the Joint Participation's approval, hopefully by the end of 2006 (The Joint Participation includes COGEMA Mining, Inc. as the operator and 71% owner, Malapai Resources Company as 29% owner; decisions must be unanimous).
Assuming that mining is resumed at Christensen Ranch, the first step will be continued well installation in the remainder of Mine Unit 7 (MU7). MU7 was about 50% installed when operations were shut down in year 2000. Drilling and well installation would resume in March 2007, followed by the initiation of surface construction (connection of wells to module buildings, connection to existing main trunkline to the plant). If schedules are adhered to, and all necessary approvals obtained, lixiviant injection could resume in MU7 as early as September 2007."
(COGEMA Mining, Inc., ANNUAL REPORT, PERMIT TO MINE NO. 478, August 19, 2005 through August 18, 2006)

On April 3, 2007, COGEMA Mining, Inc. requested an amendment of the license for its Irigaray/Christensen Ranch facilities to revert to an operating (uranium production) status from the current restoration and decommissioning status.

Christensen Ranch ISL project shut down

Irigaray Project
Mining ended in 1994. Groundwater restoration is ongoing with two Production Units (# 6 and 7) out of a total of nine Restoration has been completed in the other seven Production Units. Residual uranium is removed at a rate of approximately 10 lbs. per day during the Irigaray restoration process. Completion of groundwater restoration is projected for late 2001, with wellfield decommissioning and surface reclamation to follow. Decommissioning of most plant facilities will not begin until groundwater restoration is completed at the Christensen Project and all recovered uranium is processed."
(COGEMA Mining, Inc. letter to NRC dated September 7, 2000, available through ADAMS )

Cogema to shut down Christensen Ranch / Irigaray ISL site in second half of 2000

ADAMS

Cogema gets aquifer exemption for deep well brine disposal at Christensen Ranch ISL site

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License renewal for Cogema's Irigaray and Christensen Ranch ISL uranium mines

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The License violations and reportable events reported for the Christensen Ranch facility are not mentioned in this Federal Register notice.

License violations and reportable events at Willow Creek (ex Christensen Ranch / Irigaray) in-situ leaching site

Lists of Spills and Excursions for COMIN, Dec. 17, 2009

According to Cogema's "Quarterly Progress Report of Monitor Wells on Excursion Status" of Oct. 2, 2000 (available through ADAMS ), 7 monitor wells at Irigaray remained on excursion status during the third quarter of 2000. The wells have been on excursion status for more than one year and up to 11 years. One other monitor well has been removed from excursion status.

Latest NRC Event Reports referring to Uranium One's Willow Creek (ex Christensen Ranch / Irigaray) ISL site in Wyoming:

post Sep. 30, 2018: withheld (after Wyoming became an NRC agreement state)

• Aug. 6, 2018: 4,130 gallon spill of recovery fluid (9.6 ppm U₃O₈)
• June 29, 2018: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Aug. 9, 2017: 7,400 gallon spill of production fluid (8.9 ppm U)
• Jul. 25, 2017: 5,000 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.1 ppm U) and production fluid (9.7 ppm U)
• May 24, 2017: 3,600 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.41 - 0.81 ppm U)
• Nov. 29, 2016: 3,300 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.67 ppm U)
• Oct. 17, 2016: 3,500 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.5 ppm U)
• Oct. 11, 2016: 1,405 gallon spill of injection fluid
• June 1, 2016: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Apr. 30, 2016: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Dec. 7, 2015: 2,100 gallon spill of production fluid (3.3 ppm U)
• June 30, 2015: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Mar. 10, 2015: 830 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.7 ppm U)
• Dec. 29, 2014: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Aug. 15, 2014: 492 gallon spill of recovery fluid (11.2 ppm U)
• Aug. 13, 2014: 535 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.8 ppm U)
• Jul. 25, 2014: 946 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.92 ppm U)
• Jul. 7, 2014: Disposal well shut in due to apparent leaking of tubing in the well
• June 19, 2014: Deep disposal well fails mechanical integrity test
• May 15, 2014: "potential leak" at evaporation pond
• Apr. 19, 2014: 616 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.32 ppm U)
• Mar. 3, 2014: 665 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.6 ppm U)
• Jan. 15, 2014: 77,700 gallon spill of production fluid (12.7 ppm U)
• Nov. 26, 2013: 1,060 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.32 ppm U)
• Oct. 31, 2013: 740 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.2 ppm U)
• Jul. 22, 2013: 2,600 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.1 ppm U)
• Jun. 15, 2013: 1,400 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.8 ppm U)
• Mar. 7, 2013: Evaporation pond leak
• Mar. 5, 2013: "potential leaks" at two evaporation ponds
• Feb. 11, 2013: 2,100 gallon spill of injection fluid
• Dec. 23, 2012: 800 gallon spill of injection fluid (< 0.4 ppm U)
• Dec. 22, 2012: 950 gallon spill of disposal well fluid (2.1 ppm U)
• Dec. 9, 2012: 1,500 gallon spill of injection fluid (< 0.4 ppm U)
• Oct. 12, 2012: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Sep. 10, 2012: spill of injection fluid from unplugged historic drillhole located near injection well
• Sep. 7, 2012: 1,000 gallon spill of injection fluid
• Jun. 30, 2012: 1,500 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.9 ppm U)
• Jun. 18, 2012: 1,200 gallon spill of recovery fluid (7.5 ppm U)
• Jun. 18, 2012: 300 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.0 ppm U)
• Jun. 17, 2012: 500-700 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.4 ppm U)
• Apr. 20, 2012: 1,020 gallon spill of injection fluid (1.0 ppm U)
• Apr. 12, 2012: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Apr. 3, 2012: Two monitor wells placed on excursion status
• Mar. 29, 2012: Two monitor wells placed on excursion status
• Jan. 5, 2012: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Dec. 14, 2011: 1,500 gallon spill of RO brine fluid (3.8 mg/L U)
• Oct. 2, 2011: Aerial release of yellowcake powder
• Sep. 23, 2011: 4,000 gallon spill of injection fluid (0.87 mg/L U)
• Aug. 24, 2011: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• "around August 4 or 5, 2011": approx. 7,000-10,000 gallon spill of NaCl brine solution
• Jun. 21, 2011: 1,500 gallon spill of injection solution (3.5 ppm U)
• Apr. 19, 2011: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Apr. 12, 2011: Sampling missed for months at 24 monitoring wells, at least
• Mar. 29, 2011: 1,000 gallon spill of barren injection fluid
• Mar. 23, 2011: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Mar. 8, 2011: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Jun 10, 2010: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Jun 8, 2010: 1,200 gallon spill of permeate water
• Jun 3, 2010: Evaporation pond leak
• Dec 16, 2009: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Sep 15, 2009: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Mar 12, 2009: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Apr 17, 2008: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Mar 11, 2008: Two monitor wells placed on excursion status
• Sep 5, 2007: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Apr 25, 2007: Monitor well placed on excursion status

• Jul 22, 2004: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Apr 28, 2004: Two leaks detected in evaporation ponds
• May 31, 2001: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Jan 23, 2001: 13,392 Gallon spill of restoration water
• Aug 10, 2000: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Oct 28, 1999: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Oct 5, 1999: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Jul 8, 1999: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• May 8, 1999: 15,000 Gallon Mining Injection Solution Spill
• Apr 12, 1999: 32,400 Gallon Injection Solution Spill
• Apr 3, 1999: 13,000 Gallon Spill of Restoration Water
• Mar 29, 1999: 23,520 Gallon Mining Injection Solution Spill
• Mar 26, 1999: 60,918 Gallon Mining Injection Solution Spill
• Feb 17, 1999: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Dec 22, 1998: Monitor well placed on excursion status
• Nov 19, 1998: Monitor well placed in excursion status
• Sep 2, 1998: Shallow monitor well is in an excursion status
• Aug 6, 1998: Ground water monitor well placed in excursion status
• Jul 22, 1998: Minor leakage of byproduct solution from the evaporation pond
• Jul 8, 1998: 28,000 Gallons of water containing low level of U3O8 spilled onto ground
• Mar 5, 1998: Perimeter monitor well in excursion status
• Oct 3, 1997: Monitor well in excursion status
• Sep 16, 1997: Spilled 2,440 gallons of waste water containing 78.5 ppm natural uranium
• Sep 12, 1997: Well in excursion
• May 16, 1997: Two perimeter monitoring wells in excursion status
• Mar 12, 1997: Perimeter well in excursion status
• Dec 31, 1996: Perimeter well in excursion status

ADAMS

> For reports on many more spills, download WY DEQ's spill databases !

Cameco Resources Highland Uranium Project, Converse County

Smith Ranch, Converse County (Wyoming)

North Butte / Brown Ranch (ISL), Campbell County

> view here

Moore Ranch (ISL), Campbell County

NRC Docket No.

> View deposit data

Wyoming DEQ invites public comment on license renewal for deep disposal wells at Moore Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

Public Notice Jan. 12, 2023

Wyoming DEQ invites comment on proposed license renewal for suspended Moore Ranch uranium in situ leach mine project

Public Notice: Source Materials License Renewal Application - UEC Wyoming Corp., WYSUA-1596

Development of Moore Ranch uranium in situ leach mine suspended - six months after receiving license

Uranium One letter to NRC, Aug. 31, 2011

On May 31, 2013, Uranium One notified the NRC that the NRC should suspend further licensing action on the 2011 amendment application until further notice.

On July 31, 2015, Uranium One notified the NRC that no licensing actions are anticipated for the Moore Ranch in situ leach project until further notice.

Wyoming DEQ invites public comment on draft permit for deep disposal wells at Moore Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

Public Notice Dec. 30, 2010

Draft Permit 08-314

Fact Sheet

NRC approves transfer of ownership of the Moore Ranch ISL mine to Atomredmetzoloto

NRC release Nov. 24, 2010

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> View older issues

Nichols Ranch (ISL), Campbell and Johnson Counties

NRC Docket No.

> View deposit data
> See also: Jane Dough ISL project

Energy Fuels prepares restart of Nichols Ranch in situ leach uranium mine

Wyoming DEQ proposes permit renewal for deep disposal wells at Nichols Ranch

WQD Public Notice

Wyoming DEQ issues Notice of Violation to Nichols Ranch in situ leach uranium mine

Notice of Violation, July 13, 2016

Uranerz Energy determined to win our 'Oddest Company Submission of the Year' Award?

NRC authorizes operation of on-site elution plant at Nichols Ranch ISL uranium mine

Construction of on-site elution plant started at Nichols Ranch ISL uranium mine

NRC announces opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene on Jane Dough extension of Nichols Ranch ISL uranium mine

BLM approves Hank Unit of Nichols Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

Nichols Ranch/Hank Uranium In-Situ Recovery Mine

NRC approves change of control of Nichols Ranch in situ leach uranium mine to Energy Fuels Inc.

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Docket ID NRC-2015-0126

On June 18, 2015, NRC approved the requested indirect license transfer.
> Federal Register Volume 80, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015) p. 45002-45003 (download full text )

Wyoming DEQ issues Notice of Violation to Uranerz Energy Corp. over two spills at Nichols Ranch in situ leach uranium mine

Notice of Violation Oct. 7, 2014

In a settlement agreement concluded on Nov. 3, 2014, Uranerz Energy Corp. agreed to pay a US$ 5,000 penalty.
> Download Settlement Agreement Nov. 3, 2014 (142k PDF - WY DEQ)
> Download Notice of Compliance Dec. 22, 2014 (51k PDF - WY DEQ)

Nichols Ranch uranium in situ leach mine sends first uranium-loaded resin to Cameco's Smith Ranch plant for processing

Uranerz submits license application for Jane Dough uranium in situ leach project as extension of Nichols Ranch mine

NRC issues exemption to the financial assurance requirements for Nichols Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

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NRC issues exemption:
> Federal Register Volume 79, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2014) p. 6935-6936 (download full text )

> Access Docket ID NRC-2014-0020

EPA approves aquifer exemption for deep disposal well at Nichols Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

BLM issues Environmental Assessment on Hank Unit of Nichols Ranch uranium in situ leach mining project for public review

BLM release June 24, 2013

Environmental Assessment, June 2013

> View older issues

License Violations and reportable events at Nichols Ranch uranium in situ leach mine

• Jun. 12, 2017: 4,500 gallon spill of injection fluid (< 1 mg/L U)
• Dec. 7, 2016: 2,800 gallon spill of injection fluid (< 1 mg/L U)
• Nov. 15, 2016: 55 gallon spill of production solution (27.4 mg/L U)
• Aug. 11, 2016: 670 gallon spill of injection fluid
• Nov. 5, 2015: 700 gallon spill of injection fluid
• Dec. 2, 2014: 606 gallon release of injection solution (0.5 ppm U)
• Nov. 2, 2014: 1,745 gallon release of injection fluid (0.201 ppm U)
• Sep. 8, 2014: 12,975 gallon release of production solution (21.6 ppm U; the release flowed outside the permit boundary)
• July 17, 2014: 20,219 gallon release of production fluid (33 ppm U₃O₈; the release "appears" to have flown outside the permit boundary)
• June 5, 2014: 2,500 gallon release of injection fluid (0.04 ppm U)
• Apr. 28, 2014: injection well found to be still in use after failing mechanical integrity test in February
• Feb. 12, 2014: injection well fails mechanical integrity test
• Aug. 14, 2013: 500 gallon spill of "grey water"

Sweetwater uranium mill (Sweetwater County)

NRC Docket No.

> View deposit info

Kennecott requests license amendment for idle Sweetwater uranium mill

Notice of Source Material License Amendment Application - Kennecott Uranium Company

Kennecott requests another 5-year postponement of initiation of decommissioning of idle Sweetwater uranium mill

Licence renewal application 2014

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Docket ID NRC-2018-0141

renewed license

NRC issues Environmental Assessment and FONSI for 10-year license renewal of idle Sweetwater uranium mill
> Federal Register Volume 83, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2018) p. 26708-26709 (download full text )
> Download: Final Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Renewal of SUA-1350, Sweetwater Uranium Project in Sweetwater County, Wyoming , June 2018
> Access Docket ID NRC-2015-0025

NRC issues Safety Evaluation Report for 10-year license renewal of idle Sweetwater uranium mill
> Download: Safety Evaluation Report License Renewal of the Kennecott Uranium Company Sweetwater Uranium Project, Sweetwater County, Wyoming , U.S. NRC, February 2018 (25.7MB PDF)

Kennecott submits Supplement to Environmental Report required for 10-year license renewal of idle Sweetwater uranium mill
> Download: Supplement to Licensee's Environmental Report, Sweetwater Uranium Project , June 2016 (10.2MB PDF)
> Download: Revised Supplement to Licensee's Environmental Report, Sweetwater Uranium Project , November 2016 (16MB PDF)
> Download: Second Revised Supplement to Licensee's Environmental Report, Sweetwater Uranium Project , January 2018 (61MB PDF)

NRC announces opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene on 10-year license renewal for idle Sweetwater uranium mill:
A request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene must be filed by April 13, 2015.
> Federal Register Volume 80, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015) p. 7501-7503 (download full text )
[Note: in the FR notice, the Licence Number is incorrectly shown as SUA-1530, while the correct number is SUA-1350]
> Access Docket ID NRC-2015-0025
> Download licence renewal application , July 24, 2014

Kennecott requests another 5-year postponement of initiation of decommissioning of Sweetwater uranium mill

Kennecott performing restart evaluation of Sweetwater mill; mill for sale again

Proposed alternate feed processing at Sweetwater uranium mill

Proposed processing of water treatment plant resins at Sweetwater uranium mill

Kennecott denied right to store alternate feed material on site without license amendment

ML072400149

Kennecott wants to store alternate feed material on site of currently idle Sweetwater mill for later processing

ML071660298

Sweetwater uranium mill no longer for sale

Kennecott requests another 5-year postponement of initiation of decommissioning of Sweetwater uranium mill

Miracles of dose calculation: Sweetwater uranium mill reduces dose to nearest resident below background

Source: Kennecott Uranium Company, Sweetwater Uranium Project: Airborne Effluents – 2005 Semiannual 10 CFR 40.65 Report, Source Material License SUA-1350, 27 February 2006

Catchment basin reclamation

NRC releases Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for catchment basin reclamation at Sweetwater uranium mill

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NRC issues Draft Environmental Assessment for catchment basin reclamation at Sweetwater uranium mill

NRC issues 10-year license renewal for idle Sweetwater uranium mill

On July 28, 2004, NRC issued a related Notice of opportunity for hearing.
Federal Register: July 28, 2004 (Vol. 69, No. 144) p. 45087-45088 (download full text )

The requested license renewal was issued on May 26, 2005.

NRC approves another 5-year postponement of initiation of decommissioning in view of Bush's Energy Plan

"The continued existence of the mill is in the public interest as it is one of only six uranium mills remaining in the United States and the only one remaining in Wyoming. There is renewed interest in the United States in nuclear power as clearly expressed in the National Energy Policy of May 2001. Nuclear power plants have increased power output the past several years, several plants have recently renewed operating licenses for 20 years, and new facilities are being considered. In addition, statutes oblige the Secretary of Energy to encourage the use of domestic uranium. Maintaining the domestic capacity to provide the raw material for nuclear power is in the public interest."

Kennecott sole owner of Sweetwater mill

NRC approves resumption of mill operation

See also:
Federal Register: August 12, 1999 (Vol. 64, No. 155), p. 44057-44059 (download full notice ):

"SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposes to renew NRC Source Material License SUA-1350 to authorize the licensee, Kennecott Uranium Company (KUC), to resume commercial milling operations at the Sweetwater facility, and to approve the plan for future reclamation of the mill facility, existing and proposed new tailings impoundment, and the proposed evaporation ponds, according to the 1997 Reclamation Plan, as amended." [...]

> See also WY DEQ information

License violations and reportable events at Sweetwater mill site

• Dec. 7, 2009: 9316.8 gallon spill of pumpback fluid
• Aug. 18, 2008: 18278.4 gallon spill of pumpback fluid

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