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(last updated 28 Jul 2010)
Permit applications initiated for Jane Dough uranium in situ leach project:
On March 24, 2010, Uranerz Energy Corporation announced that it has commenced preparation of environmental permit and license applications for its planned third ISR uranium mining unit in the central Powder River Basin of Wyoming. This unit, newly named Jane Dough, includes the Doughstick, South Doughstick and North Jane uranium properties.
The Jane Dough permit area will be adjacent to and immediately south of the Nichols Ranch permit area, and the Company intends to add the Jane Dough Unit as an amendment to the Nichols Ranch ISR Project license, once that license has been received. Due to the proximity of these two units, it is likely that instead of building a satellite plant at Jane Dough, it will be possible to install pipelines to transfer the mining solutions to/from Jane Dough to the planned central processing plant at the Nichols Ranch Unit. This initiative could result in considerable capital cost savings for Jane Dough.
On July 14, 2010, Peninsula Minerals Limited announced that a Pre-Feasibility Study
(PFS) has been completed on the Ross and Barber projects, the first two planned
production centres at the Lance Projects in Wyoming. The results confirm robust economics and the viability of a planned In-Situ Recovery mining operation at the Lance Projects.
The recommendation from the PFS is to proceed immediately to completion of the
Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).
On Feb. 3, 2010, Peninsula Minerals Ltd announced that the first stage of an Independent Pre-Feasibility Study has been completed on the Ross and Barber projects, the first two planned production centres in Wyoming. The results support the viability of Peninsula's planned In-Situ Recovery (ISR) mining operations.
On Oct. 7, 2009, Peninsula Minerals Limited announced that on October 6, 2009 it submitted formal notice to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of its intention to submit an application for a uranium recovery licence at the Ross Project in Wyoming, USA.
The notice states Peninsula's intention to construct and operate an In-Situ Recovery facility at Ross including a central processing plant, associated well fields and all other required infrastructure.
Based on current projections, Peninsula intends to submit its final licence application for approval on or before December 1, 2010.
Mar. 5, 2010: Interior Department says sage grouse deserves -- but won't get -- protection
On Oct. 28, 2009, Uranium One requested that "the NRC defer all further review of the Antelope and JAB application until such time that Uranium One requests resumption. The reason for this request is the uncertainty involved with the potential listing of the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act. The Antelope and JAB project lies within an area identified by the State of Wyoming as a "core" area for management of the sage grouse. Should the bird be listed, future development of energy projects including uranium, oil and gas, and wind in these areas could be seriously jeopardized. A decision on whether a listing for the sage grouse is warranted is expected by February 26, 2010."
On Aug. 6, 2009, NRC issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Antelope and JAB Uranium Project.
Federal Register: August 14, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 156) p. 41174-41176 (download full text )
On May 19, 2009, NRC issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing regarding Energy Metals Corporation's License Application Request of Antelope and JAB Uranium Project, Sweetwater County, WY.
A request for a hearing must be filed by July 20, 2009.
Federal Register: May 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 95) p. 23436-23440 (download full text )
On April 15, 2009, NRC made the corrected volumes of the license application available at ADAMS Acc. No. ML090840127
On April 3, 2009, NRC suspended the review of EMC's application again, since it had turned out once more that the re-submitted documents were inconsistent.
On Jan. 21, 2009, NRC informed EMC that its acceptance review has been suspended, since the six copies of the Technical Report provided by EMC are not identical (!).
On March 9, 2009, NRC found the application acceptable for review, after EMC had supplied revised copies of the Technical Report.
EMC submitted the Environmental Report on Aug. 7, 2008.
> Download Environmental Report Antelope and JAB Uranium Project, Aug. 2008 (4 volumes) (ADAMS ML082820454)
On July 10, 2008, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff received Energy Metals Corporation's application for a new facility license at its JAB and Antelope sites in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The July 10, 2008 submittal included the technical report but not the environmental report. NRC notified EMC that it would not begin to process the application until the staff receives the environmental report.
> Download Technical Report Antelope and JAB Uranium Project, June 2008 (3 volumes) (ADAMS ML082730312)
On Nov. 3, 2008, The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued a Notice of Violation to Energy Metals Corp. (EMC) for failures at its Antelope site:
The inspection revealed that topsoil and overburden were inadequately separated and that topsoil had been contaminated by overburden and drilling mud, and the inspection revealed several instances of the failure to ensure the safety of the public and wildlife in the form of open mud pits.
> Download Notice of Violation #4386-08, Nov. 3, 2008 (PDF)
On March 18, 2009, Strathmore notified the NRC that it intends to submit the license application in late fall 2011.
Strathmore discloses identity of licensed historic mill site it has optioned in the Gas Hills Uranium District:
On March 21, 2008, Strathmore Minerals Corp. notified NRC of its intent to
submit a license application for a conventional uranium mill and tailings disposal operation or alternatively, a heap or vat leach facility to be located at its Gas Hills uranium properties in Fremont County, Wyoming. The property under consideration is located on federal Lands and land held privately owned by American Nuclear Corporation which Strathmore currently has under option.
Strathmore acquires option for acquisition of unnamed licensed historic mill site in the Gas Hills Uranium District:
On Jan. 7, 2008, Strathmore Minerals Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Strathmore Resources (US) Ltd. has entered into an option agreement to purchase an existing NRC license and additional private mineral rights containing known uranium mineralization in the Gas Hills Uranium District, Wyoming. The NRC license covers a historic mill site. It will be evaluated to determine if it can be used for a new mill or ore heap and/or vat leach facility in the Gas Hills. Strathmore has agreed not to disclose the name of the company involved or the terms of this agreement. The private mineral rights are adjacent to existing Strathmore land holdings in the Gas Hills District and would be incorporated into new and expanded mining and milling scenario. The Gas Hills area is located 45 miles east of Riverton Wyoming.
Note: NRC-licensed historic uranium mill sites in the Gas Hills Mining District are: American Nuclear Corporation,
Pathfinder - Lucky Mc, and
Umetco Minerals Corp.
On March 17, 2009, Wildhorse Energy Ltd notified the NRC "that due to continuing negative economic and market conditions WildHorse Energy has further revised its schedule for submitting the US NRC Source Material License for its West Alkali Project located in southern Central Wyoming. Based on the revised schedule we expect to submit the application later than 2011."
On June 10, 2008, The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued a Notice of Violation to Wildhorse Energy Ltd for several well failures. In a settlement agreement, Wildhorse agreed to pay a penalty of 500 Dollars.
> Download Notice of Violation #4287-08, June 10, 2008 (PDF)
> Download Settlement Agreement, June 23, 2008 (PDF)
> Download Termination of Notice, Oct. 29, 2008 (PDF)
On Mar. 20, 2008, notified NRC of its intent to submit an application for a US NRC Source Material License for its West Alkali Project located in southern Central Wyoming.
On Dec. 4, 2007, Wildhorse Energy Ltd announced the receipt of a positive Scoping Study for its Bison Basin uranium in situ-leach project.
The main development scenario was based on an exploration target producing between eight and 10 million pounds U3O8 [3080 - 3850 t U], with a 1 million pound U3O8 per annum [385 t U/a] operation. The cash costs have been estimated at US$ 18 per pound, and pre-production capital costs estimated to be US$ 62 million. The company will now complete pre-feasibility and feasibility studies in 2008.
> See also: EPA raises concern over planned deep disposal wells for Wyoming uranium in situ leach projects
On June 22, 2010, NRC issued to Uranium One Americas, Inc. a draft license (SUA-1596) for the Moore Ranch uranium in situ leach project.
(ADAMS Acc. No. ML100970139 )
On January 18, 2010, Uranium One notified the NRC that the license application for the Moore Ranch in situ leach project will be requested in the form of an amendment to Cogema Mining, Inc. Source Material License SUA-1341 (Christensen Ranch/Irigaray).
On Dec. 7, 2009, NRC released the draft Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS NUREG-1910 ) for the Moore Ranch ISR Project for comment. Comments are invited by March 3, 2010 (Comment period extended).
> View NRC release Jan. 29, 2010
> Federal Register: February 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 24) p. 6065-6066 (download full text )
> View NRC release Dec. 11, 2009
> Federal Register: December 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 237) p. 65806-65808 (download full text )
> Download NUREG-1910, Supp. 1, DFC, "Environmental Impact Statement for the Moore Ranch ISR Project in Campbell County, Wyoming, Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (23.1MB PDF, ADAMS Acc. No. ML093350050)
NRC issues Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Moore Ranch uranium in-situ leach project:
Federal Register: August 21, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 161) p. 42332-42333 (download full text )
On May 14, 2008, NRC sent Energy Metals Corp a request for additional information (ADAMS Acc. No. ML081340113 ) regarding its license application for the Moore Ranch in-situ leach uranium project:
We identified significant concerns related to both groundwater and radiological protection. Our most significant groundwater concerns relate to the absence of underlying shale in a portion of the production zone, the effects of coal bed methane produced water on surface and groundwater, the unconfined conditions in the production zone, and the estimate of the number of pore volumes that will be required to restore the production zone. Our most significant radiological protection concerns relate to the design objective of the ventilation system and the adequacy of radiological environmental monitoring. [...]The unconfined aquifer in the proposed "70 sand" production zone is a unique setting for an ISL operation [emphasis added]. The unconfined aquifer setting presents an entirely different hydrogeologic flow regime which has implications for well field balancing, communication with monitoring wells and overlying and underlying aquifes, excursion monitoring/correction, lixiviant behavior and restoration. [...]
The confinement of the "70 sand" is in question based on the acknowledged absence of the underlying shale between the "70 sand" and "68 sand" in a large portion of Wellfield 2, the potential absence of the underlying shale in Wellfield 1, and the absence of overlying shale on the isopach just northwest of Wellfield 3. [...]
On Jan. 17, 2008, NRC issued an Opportunity to Request a Hearing on Energy Metals Corp.'s license application for the Moore Ranch in-situ leach uranium project.
Federal Register: January 25, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 17) p. 4642-4644 (download full text )
> View NRC release Feb. 1, 2008
> View docket NRC-2008-0040 (regulations.gov)
On Oct. 3, 2007, Energy Metals Corp. submitted the license application for its Moore Ranch in-situ leach uranium project. According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), this is the first application for a new uranium recovery facility submitted to the NRC since 1988.
> View NRC release Oct. 4, 2007
> Download License Application Documents (ADAMS Acc. No. ML072851218)
> See also: Uranium One Inc. concludes toll milling agreement with Power Resources Inc.
On Apr. 12, 2007, Energy Metals Corp. announced that all baseline studies for its Moore Ranch in-situ leach uranium project are on track to be completed by the end of August 2007. Work continues on other portions of the State and NRC License Applications and submittal of the final application is anticipated at the end of October 2007.
On January 15, 2010, Uranium One submitted the license application for the Ludeman in situ leach project to NRC. On Jan. 18, 2010, Uranium One notified the NRC that Ludeman will be a satellite ISR operation and approval will be requested in the form of an amendment to Cogema Mining, Inc. Source Material License SUA-1341 (Christensen Ranch/Irigaray). On Feb. 2, 2010, NRC notified Uranium One that it therefore put the review of the license application on hold pending resubmission of certain documents. On Feb. 8, 2010, Uranium One submitted the license amendment application. On May 11, 2010, Uranium One withdrew the license amendment application; the company intends to submit a revised application within 60 - 90 days.
On Feb. 26, 2009, Energy Metals Corporation dba Uranium One, Americas
(Uranium One) provided notice to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) of Uranium One's intent to submit an application for a
Source Material License for the Ludeman Satellite ISR Uranium Project in
Converse County, Wyoming. The proposed project will utilize in-situ recovery
and ion exchange processing methods to produce uranium-loaded resin for
transport to an offsite process facility (Moore Ranch or other licensed facility).
Uranium One plans to submit the application by April 2009.
However, on June 16, 2009, Energy Metals Corp. deferred the submittal date to mid-July 2009. And, on July 15, 2009, Energy Metals Corp. deferred the submittal date further to Aug. 15, 2009.
On March 20, 2008, Energy Metals Corporation provided notice to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to submit an application for a Source Material License for the Ludeman Satellite ISR Uranium Project in Converse County, Wyoming. The application will be a proposed amendment to the Moore Ranch Uranium Project Source Material License.
> See also: Uranium One Inc. concludes toll milling agreement with Power Resources Inc.
On January 18, 2010, Uranium One notified the NRC that the license application for the Allemand-Ross in situ leach project will be requested in the form of an amendment to Cogema Mining, Inc. Source Material License SUA-1341 (Christensen Ranch/Irigaray). Submittal is planned at the end of the second quarter of 2010.
On Feb. 26, 2009, Energy Metals Corporation resubmitted its notice to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to submit an application for a Source Material License for the Allemand-Ross Satellite ISR Uranium Project in Converse County, Wyoming.
On March 20, 2008, Energy Metals Corporation provided notice to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to submit an application for a Source Material License for the Allemand-Ross Satellite ISR Uranium Project in Converse County, Wyoming. The application will be a proposed amendment to the Moore Ranch Uranium Project Source Material License.
On August 22, 2006, NRC held a pre-licensing meeting with High Plains Uranium, Inc. (HPU) to discuss issues related to their upcoming In Situ Leach (ISL) uranium recovery license application for the Allemand-Ross project, among others.
HPU is planning a Satellite ISL operation which would include injection, production, and monitoring wells; resin tanks for uranium recovery; and a deep disposal well. HPU plans to ship the uranium laden resin to an existing (second party) licensed processing plant for uranium elution, precipitation, and drying (i.e., yellow cake production). HPU's tentative application submittal date is July/August 2007. (NRC Summary of August 22, 2006 meeting, Aug. 30, 2006)
On March 10, 2008, Uranerz Energy Corporation notified NRC of its intent to submit a Source Material License Application for the Collins Draw ISR Project in the third quarter of 2009. The Collins Draw ISR Project will produce uranium by the in situ recovery method and be located in the Pumpkin Buttes Mining District of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. The project will consist of a satellite operation that will include wellfields with associated header houses, an ion exchange circuit, deep disposal well facilities, associated process and maintenance buildings, and materials storage. The Collins Draw permit area is approximately 5 miles from Uranerz Energy Corporation's Nichols Ranch ISR Project. The uranium produced at Collins Draw will be shipped to the Nichols Ranch facility for processing to yellowcake.
> See also: EPA raises concern over planned deep disposal wells for Wyoming uranium in situ leach projects
On Dec. 4, 2009, NRC released the draft Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS NUREG-1910 ) for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project for comment. Comments are invited by March 3, 2010 (Comment period extended).
> View NRC release Jan. 29, 2010
> Federal Register: February 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 24) p. 6066-6067 (download full text )
> View NRC release Dec. 11, 2009
> Federal Register: December 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 237) p. 65808-65810 (download full text )
> Download NUREG-1910 Supp 2 DFC, Environmental Impact Statement for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project in Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (21.4MB PDF, ADAMS Acc. No. ML093340536)
On Oct. 23, 2009, Uranerz Energy Corporation announced that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality ("WDEQ") – Air Quality Division has approved and issued the air quality permit for the Company's Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project. The WDEQ – Air Quality Division has issued Permit No. CT-8644 in the form of a Permit to Construct the Nichols Ranch Uranium ISR Project which includes the Nichols Ranch Central Processing facility and the Hank Satellite plant.
This is the first operational permit for the construction of the Nichols Ranch Uranium ISR Project to be issued to Uranerz by the State of Wyoming. The WDEQ Permit to Mine and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Source Material License must also be obtained prior to initiating construction activities on site.
On July 28, 2009, NRC released a Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (ISR GEIS) for a new source material license for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project.
Federal Register: August 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 149) p. 39116-39117 (download full text )
> View Nichols Ranch Site - Application In Review (NRC)
On June 16, 2008, NRC issued a Notice of License Application Request of Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch In Situ Uranium Recovery Project, Casper,
Wyoming, Opportunity To Request a Hearing and Order Imposing Procedures
for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI)
for Contention Preparation.
A request for a hearing must be filed by August 15, 2008.
Federal Register: June 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 116) p. 34052-34056
(download full text )
On Feb. 1, 2008, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced that the application from Uranerz Energy Corporation to construct and operate an in-situ leach (ISL) uranium recovery facility at their Nichols Ranch Site in Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyo., is available on the agency's Web site for public viewing.
> View NRC release Feb. 1, 2008
On Dec. 19, 2007, Uranerz Energy Corporation announced that it has submitted applications to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for licenses and permits to construct and operate in-situ leach uranium facilities on its Nichols Ranch and Hank projects located in the central Powder River Basin of Wyoming.
> Download application documents (ADAMS Acc. No. ML080080594)
On July 6, 2006, NRC held a pre-licensing meeting with Uranerz Energy Corporation to discuss potential uranium recovery applications for its Nichols Ranch uranium in-situ leach project.
Uranerz Energy Corporation ("Uranerz") is planning to construct and operate a uranium in situ recovery (ISR) facility with the name Nichols Ranch ISR Project that incorporates two production units; the Nichols Ranch ISR Main Unit
consisting of a complete processing facility and in situ recovery mine, and the
Hank ISR Satellite Unit consisting of an ion exchange facility and an in situ
recovery mine. The Nichols Ranch Unit processing facility will have the capacity
to produce approximately 750,000 pounds of dry yellow cake product (288 t U) per year. It is planned that approximately half of this amount will originate from the Nichols Ranch ore body while the remaining half will be produced from the Hank ore body.
Uranerz is planning to submit the license application in the second quarter of 2007 and start operation in 2009.
On July 19, 2010, the Wyoming DEQ issued a Notice of Violation to Lost Creek ISR LLC for multiple violations identified at a June 7, 2010, inspection: failure to cover or fence an open mud pit at a drill hole site, and failure to separate and protect topsoil.
> Download Notice of Violation NOV #4697-10, July 19, 2010 (227k PDF - WY DEQ)
NRC issues Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment and Finding of
No Significant Impact for an Exemption to the Part 40 Commencement of Construction Requirements, Lost Creek ISR, LLC, Sweetwater County, WY.
Federal Register: April 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 64) p. 17167-17169 (download full text )
> Download Final Environmental Assessment, March 25, 2010 (ADAMS Acc. No. ML093350677)
> Download Final Technical Evaluation Report, March 25, 2010 (ADAMS Acc. No. ML093350365)
EPA raises concern over planned deep disposal wells for Wyoming uranium in situ leach projects: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expressing concern about potential contamination of aquifers from three proposed in-situ uranium mines in Wyoming. The EPA has told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to go back revisit its environmental reviews of the proposed mines. Carol Rushin, of the EPA's Region 8 office, notes that the three proposed Wyoming mines would not inject wastewater deep enough to avoid underground drinking water formations. Industry officials say there are other treatment options for wastewater disposal but injection is the most economic. (Casper Star Tribune Mar. 26, 2010)
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invites public comment on the Draft Permit for the deep disposal wells proposed for the Lost Creek uranium in situ leach facility.
Public comments are invited on or before April 26, 2010.
> Download Public Notice March 26, 2010 (PDF - WY DEQ)
> Download Draft Permit (PDF - WY DEQ)
> Download Final Permit May 28, 2010 (PDF - WY DEQ)
> Download DEQ Response to Comments Received During the Public Comment Period (PDF - WY DEQ)
> Download Summary of Analysis and Map (PDF - WY DEQ)
On Dec. 18, 2009, Lost Creek ISR, LLC submitted to the Wyoming DEQ the Mine Unit 1 Data Package for the Lost Creek Permit to Mine Application.
> Download Submittal of the MU 1 Data Package for the Lost Creek Permit to Mine Application - TFN 4 6/268
On Dec. 7, 2009, NRC released the draft Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS NUREG-1910 ) for the Lost Creek ISR Project for comment. Comments are invited by March 3, 2010 (Comment period extended).
> View NRC release Jan. 29, 2010
> Federal Register: February 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 24) p. 6068-6069 (download full text )
> View NRC release Dec. 11, 2009
> Federal Register: December 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 237) p. 65804-65806 (download full text )
> Download NUREG-1910, Supp 3, DFC, Environmental Impact Statement for the Lost Creek ISR Project in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (24.1MB PDF, ADAMS Acc. No. ML093350051)
On December 1, 2009, the Sweetwater County Commissioners unanimously approved the Development Plan for the Lost Creek Project. The Development Plan describes in detail the infrastructure and facilities which will be constructed at the planned uranium ISR production site. (Ur-Energy Inc. Dec. 3, 2009)
On Nov. 9, 2009, NRC issued a Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment and Opportunity To Provide Comments for Exemption Request for the Lost Creek In-Situ Recovery Project.
Issuance of the requested exemption would authorize Lost Creek ISR, LLC to conduct certain site preparation activities at, and in, the vicinity of its proposed ISR site. Based on the draft EA, the NRC staff proposes to make a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the requested exemption.
Comments regarding this draft Environmental Assessment must be received by December 9, 2009.
Federal Register: November 9, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 215) p. 57712-57715
(download full text )
On Aug. 25, 2009, NRC issued a Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Lost Creek In-Situ Recovery Project.
Federal Register: September 3, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 170) p. 45656-45657 (download fullt text )
On July 2, 2009, Ur-Energy Inc. submitted to NRC an exemption request to allow pre-license construction at the Lost Creek In-Situ Uranium Project.
On July 3, 2008, NRC issued a Notice of License Application of Lost Creek ISR, LLC, for a New In Situ Leach Uranium Recovery Facility at the Lost Creek Site,
Sweetwater County, Wyoming, and Opportunity to Request a Hearing.
A request for a hearing must be filed by September 8, 2008.
> View NRC release July 10, 2008
Federal Register: July 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 133) p. 39728-39731 (download full text )
On Mar. 20, 2008, Ur-Energy Inc. submitted to NRC its completed application for the Lost Creek in-situ recovery project.
On Dec. 20, 2007, Ur-Energy Inc announced that it has submitted an Application for In Situ Permit to Mine and Application for License to Mine to the State of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Land Quality Division (WDEQ) for its Lost Creek Project in northeastern Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
On Oct. 31, 2007, Ur-Energy Inc announced that it has submitted its application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a Source Material License for its Lost Creek uranium in-situ leach project.
> Download application documents (ADAMS Acc.No. ML073190539)
> View NRC release Dec. 7, 2007
On Dec. 15, 2005, Ur-Energy Inc. released the Environmental and Social Due Diligence Report, for its Lost Soldier and Lost Creek Claim Areas in Wyoming. Ur-Energy hopes to have the projects permitted and operating within three years.
> Download: Environmental and Social Due Diligence Report, Great Divide Basin ISL Uranium Project, Lost Soldier and Lost Creek Claim Areas, Wyoming , prepared by AATA International, Inc. (14.5M PDF) · alternate source (SEDAR)
On Mar. 2, 2009, Ur-Energy Inc notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to submit an amendment request to include the Lost Soldier project in the Lost Creek project, once the license for the latter will be issued.
On Mar. 21, 2008, Ur-Energy Inc notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to submit a Source Material License Application by December 19, 2008 for the Lost Soldier Project located in the extreme northeast corner of Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
On Dec. 15, 2005, Ur-Energy Inc. released the Environmental and Social Due Diligence Report, for its Lost Soldier and Lost Creek Claim Areas in Wyoming. Ur-Energy hopes to have the projects permitted and operating within three years.
> Download: Environmental and Social Due Diligence Report, Great Divide Basin ISL Uranium Project, Lost Soldier and Lost Creek Claim Areas, Wyoming , prepared by AATA International, Inc. (14.5M PDF) · alternate source (SEDAR)
On June 15, 2010, Titan Uranium Inc. announced that it has commenced permitting and licencing at its 100% owned Sheep Mountain uranium project in Fremont County, Wyoming. Baseline environmental studies have been initiated in support of application for a Source Material Licence with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In addition, a revision to the existing Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) Mine Permit will be completed, as well as a Plan of Operations for the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Field data acquisition is underway, and the project is on target for a projected second quarter of 2011 submission of the NRC application.
On Apr. 12, 2010, Titan Uranium Inc. announced that it has completed a positive Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) for its Sheep Mountain uranium project.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
On Feb. 16, 2010, Titan Uranium Inc. notified the NRC of its intent to submit a license application for a conventional uranium milling (heap leach) facility at the Sheep Mountain project site by April 2011.
On Oct. 15, 2009, Titan Uranium Inc announced that it has commenced a prefeasibility study on the Sheep Mountain uranium deposit in Fremont County, Wyoming.
On Oct. 1, 2009, Titan Uranium Inc. announced that it has closed the previously announced agreement with Uranium One Inc. to acquire the 50% interest held by Uranium One in the Sheep Mountain property, Fremont County, Wyoming. This will result in Titan holding a 100% interest in the property.
On Sep. 10, 2007, Uranium Power Corp. announced that BRS Inc. has been hired to execute a preliminary feasibility study for the proposed reopening of the Sheep Mountain mine, as well as for the potential North Gap open pit on the same property. BRS will also carry out any permitting work that may be required for the open pit and for a possible heap leach operation on the property.
U.S. Energy Corp. and Bell Coast Capital Corp. are planning to revive their idle Sheep Mountain mines in Fremont County within 18 months. The companies estimate the total deposit at 14 million lb U3O8 [5385 t U], forecasting yearly output at 1.5 million lb U3O8 [577 t U]. The production cost is estimated at around $14 per lb U3O8. (Reuters Feb. 8, 2005)
On July 6, 2005, however, Uranium Power Corp. (ex Bell Coast Capital Corp.) stated "that there are no current mineral resources or reserves on the properties currently optioned by our Company".
(Taipower) invited international bids for its sale of uranium properties in Arizona and Wyoming, jointly owned with RME Holding Co of the US. The properties include deposits with proven uranium reserves, established exploration targets, some with ore-grade mineralization, and properties with untested exploration potential. Bids will be accepted until September 10, 2002. Taipower wants to sell the mines because uranium prices on the world market have fallen. (Taipei Times August 9, 2002)
On March 31, 2006, PRI filed an application for commercial operation of the North Butte ISL project as a satellite facility to the Smith Ranch ISL mine.
On November 30, 2001, Power Resources, Inc. acquired the North Butte / Ruth in situ leach uranium project from Pathfinder Mines.
The Ruth Project is licensed for commercial ISL uranium activities, however, none has been initiated. The existing buildings and evaporation ponds, along with a few remaining wells, are left from research and development testing conducted by Uranerz, USA, one of the previous licensees. The facilities at the project are non-operational and on stand-by status.
The North Butte Project is also licensed for commercial ISL uranium operations, however, construction of facilities has not commenced and is currently on hold.
On June 3, 2010, Bayswater Uranium Corporation reported that the company has commenced baseline environmental studies at its Reno Creek in-situ recovery (ISR) Uranium Project in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. The environmental baseline studies are required support for the company's application to obtain a Source and Byproduct Material License from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and a Permit to Mine from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ).
On Apr. 9, 2010, Bayswater Uranium Corp.'s subsidiary NCA Nuclear Inc. notified the NRC of its intention to submit a license application for Reno Creek by the end of 2011.
On Oct. 5, 2009, Bayswater Uranium Corp. announced that it has received a positive Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on the Reno Creek Uranium Project.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
On Sep. 10, 2009, Bayswater Uranium Corp. announced that it has commissioned a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the development of the Reno Creek Uranium Project.
On Aug. 24, 2009, Strathmore announced that is to sell the Pine Tree-Reno Creek Uranium Project to Bayswater Uranium Corp.
On March 18, 2009, Strathmore notified the NRC that it anticipates the submittal of the license application in the late fall of 2010.
On March 21, 2008, Strathmore notified NRC of its intent to file a license application for the Reno Creek project.
In fiscal 2001, International Uranium Corp. sold the Reno Creek In Situ Leach (ISL) Uranium Project to Rio Algom.
On July 22, 1999, International Uranium Corp. withdrew its license application for the Reno Creek In Situ Leach (ISL) Uranium Extraction Project. (Federal Register, Aug. 5, 1999 )
In 1996, Energy Fuels Nuclear (predecessor of IUC) had requested NRC staff restart of the license application. [NRC Weekly Information Report for the week ending August 28, 1996, SECY 96-186]
> View BLM release July 1, 2008
> View Reynolds Ranch ISR Uranium Project documents (BLM Casper Field Office)
(ADAMS Accession No. ML062690386))
SXR Uranium One Inc. has been selected by Rio Tinto Energy America, Inc. ("RTEA"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc, as the preferred bidder for RTEA's Sweetwater Uranium Mill and associated Green Mountain uranium properties located in south-central Wyoming. (SXR July 10, 2006)
Until September 11, 2000, Crested Corp. / US Energy owned a 50% interest in the GMMV, but sold their interest to Kennecott.
The development of the Jackpot mine has been suspended on July 31, 1998. US Energy/Crested fears that the uranium price will drop drastically as a consequence of the privatization of U.S. Enrichment Corp. The new USEC Inc. has announced it plans to sell its uranium inventory of 75 million pounds (29000 t U) over the next few years to pay down its indebtedness. [Reuters July 31, 1998]
The Green Mountain Mining Venture (GMMV) has been given a construction permit for the Jackpot, Wyoming, underground uranium mine. Kennecott Uranium and USECC (comprising US Energy Corp and its subsidiary, Crested
Corp) are partners in the joint venture. The Jackpot deposit
contains over 52 million pounds of uranium (20,000 tU). [UI News
Briefing 96/26]
Power Resources, Inc. (PRI) submitted an application for a license to construct and operate a new in situ uranium mine at Gas Hills, Wyoming. PRI wants to operate it as a satellite of its Highland facility. Production is scheduled to start in 1998.
[Federal Register: August 21, 1996 (Vol.61, No.163), p.43267-43268, download via GPO Access]
On Feb. 26, 2003, NRC issued a related "Notice of Amendment Request for Proposed Operation of the Gas Hills Project in situ Leach Uranium Recovery Facility, Freemont and Natrona Counties, WY, and Opportunity To Provide Comments and To Request a Hearing".
Federal Register Feb. 26, 2003 (Vol. 68, No. 38) p. 8941-8942 (download full text )
On August 18, 2003, NRC approved PRI’s request to integrate the Highland license into the Smith Ranch Source Materials License SUA-1548.
On Jan. 14, 2004, NRC staff completed an environmental assessment (EA) of the potential impacts associated with the operation of the Gas Hills Project satellite in situ leach uranium recovery facility, and the staff has concluded that the proposed licensing action will not have a significant impact on
the environment. Accordingly, the staff issued a notice to signify a Finding of No Significant Impact.
Federal Register: January 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 14) p. 3184-3185 (download full text )
is staking claims in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. Aspen officials estimate reserves of approximately 11,500 tU with in situ production costs of around US$ 8 per pound. [UI News Briefing 96/38]
Cotter Corp. is pursuing a production permit for its Charlie property in the Powder River Basin. Production is expected to start in 2000. [UI News Briefing 96/38]
On March 18, 2009, Strathmore informed the NRC that the project has been placed on indefinite hold.
On June 16, 2008, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued a Notice of Violation to Strathmore Resources U.S. Ltd. for numerous violations connected to exploration activities at the Sky ISL project site (topsoil and subsoil inadequately separated, topsoil contaminated, failure to securely cover boreholes, poorly maintained fencing, etc.).
On Aug. 26, 2008, Strathmore agreed to pay a $18,000 fine.
> Download NOV #4292-08 · Settlement Agreement Aug. 26, 2008 (PDF)
On Apr. 10, 2007, Strathmore announced it has entered into a letter of intent with Yellowcake Mining Inc. to finance the development of Strathmore's Sky project located in the Gas Hills Uranium District in Fremont County, Wyoming. Sky is Strathmore's first project in Wyoming to begin data collection activities for permitting purposes. The intent is to develop the Sky project as a satellite ISR operation. The property comprises 50 unpatented mining claims totaling 418 hectares (1,033 acres).
On March 2, 2007, Strathmore Minerals Corp. announced that permitting activities have been initiated on the Company's third uranium recovery project: the Sky ISR project.
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