DRC-2011-007861 - 0901a068802b155b

State of Utah
GARY R HERBERT
Governor
GREG BELL
Lieutenant Governor
Department of
Environmental Quahty
Amanda Srmth
Executive Director
DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Rusty Lundberg
Director
DRC-2011-007861
MEMORANDUM
TO
FROM
DATE
SUBJECT
Phil Goble
Dean Henderson
August 22 2011
Review of the 2010 Annual Seep and Springs Sampling Report
for the Denison Mines (USA) Corp (hereafter DUSA )
White Mesa Uranium Mill near Blanding Utah
On December 2 2011 the Division of Radiation Control (hereafter DRC ) received 2010 Annual Seep
and Spnngs Sampling Report (hereafter Report ) for the Denison Mines (USA) Corp (hereafter
DUSA ) White Mesa Uranium Mill near Blandmg Utah For the review of this Report the following
regulatory enforcement documents will be used
• White Mesa Uranium Mill Ground Water Quality Assurance Plan (hereafter QAP )
Revision 5 0 dated February 22 2010
• Groundwater Discharge Permit No UGW370004 (hereafter Permit ) Permit version that was
signed by on January 20 2010
• Sampling Plan for Seeps and Sprmgs In the Vicinity of the White Mesa Uranium Mill Revision 0
(hereafter Plan )
The review for the Report will be 1) Summary of Compliance and 2) Mill Operations Impact on the
Seeps and Springs
Summary of Compliance
It appears that DUSA was m compliance with the QAP Permit and Plan which included sampling
locations sample collection methodology analysis of required parameters QA/QC and reporting
Comparisons between the two analytical results for these samples are summarized m Table 6 in
Attachment 1 below To determine if samples results between two samples from two different laboratories
are comparable a relative percent difference (hereafter RPD ) of 30% is acceptable (DRC 2007) DRC
split the Cottonwood Spring sample with DUSA The RPD comparisons between the analytical results
were below 30% with the exception of bicarbonate (53 26 %) and potassium (55 03%) The DRC
bicarbonate result was 197 mg/l and the DUSA bicarbonate result was 340 mg/l The DRC potassium
result was 3 28 mg/l and the DUSA potassium result was 5 77 mg/l Because the remainder analytical
195 North 1950 West Salt Lake City UT
Mailing Address PO Box 144850 Salt Lake City UT 84114 4850
Telephone [phone] Fax [phone] TDD [phone]
M'W'K d q thg
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Page 2
results comparisons between the two samples had RPD <30% DRC staff feels these RPD exceedances are
not a concem and the analytical results between the two samples are comparable
Mill Operations Impact on the Seeps and Springs
The analytical results for the 2010 seeps and spnngs monitonng event are summanzed m tables 1 through
6 m Attachment 1 below
The analytical results for the 2010 seep and spnngs monitoring event show contaminants for Cottonwood
Spnng Entrance Spring Ruin Spring and Wastewater Spnng had concentrations below their GWCL with
the exception of uranium m the Westwater Sprmg sample The uranium concentration for Westwater
Spring was 46 jig/1 which exceeds the GWQL of 30 (ig/1 Even though uranium was exceeded the water
commg from Westwater Spring does not appear to have been impacted by mill activities because all other
contaminant concentrations are well below the GWCLs and typical of a surface water sample in the area
Currently based on the analytical results for the 2010 and all other previous seeps and spnngs sampling
events it appears that the Mill at this time has not impacted Cottonwood Spring Entrance Spnng Rum
Spnng and Wastewater Spring
Page 3
References
Denmson Mines (USA) Corp March 2009 Sampling Plan for Seeps and Spnngs In the Vicinity of the
White Mesa Uranium Mill Revision 0
Denmson Mines (USA) Corp February 22 2010 White Mesa Uranium Mill Ground Water
Quality Assurance Plan Revision 5 0
State of Utah Division ofWater Quality Department of Environmental Quality Utah Water
Quality Board Salt Lake City Utah March 17 2008 Groundwater Discharge Permit No UGW370004
Permit version signed by on March 17 2008
Utah Division of Radiation Control August 7 2007 Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Radiation Control Guidance for Groundwater Split Sampling Collection at Uranium
Mill Operations
Page 4
Attachment 1
Tables 1 throiigh 6
Table 1
Summary of Seeps and Springs Analytical Data 2010
Cottonwood
Contaminant GWCL Canyon Spring Enterance Spring Rum Spnngs Westwater Spnng
Parameters Listed in Table 2 July? 2010 Juiy 6 2010 JulyT 2010 Julys 2010
Nutrients (mg/L)
Ammonia (as N) 25 <0 05 <0 05 <0 05 0 05
Nitrate + Nitrite (as N) 10 <01 1 1 7 <01
Heavy Metals (pg/L)
Arsenic 50 <5 <5 <5 <5
Beryllium 4 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5
Cadmium 5 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5
Chromium 100 <25 <25 <25 <25
Cobalt 730 <10 <10 <10 <10
Copper 1 300 <10 <10 <10 <10
Iron 11 000 <30 <30 <30 56
Lead 15 <1 <1 <1 <1
Manganese 800 <10 11 <10 87
Mercury 2 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5
Molybdenum 40 <10 <10 17 29
Nickel 100 <20 <20 <20 <20
Selenium 50 <5 92 10 <5
Silver 100 <10 <10 <10 <10
Thallium 2 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5 <0 5
Tin 17 000 <100 <100 <100 <100
Uranium 30 8 24 178 8 47 46 6
Vanadium 60 <15 <15 <15 <15
Zinc 5 000 <10 <10 <10 <10
Radiologics (pCi/L)
Gross Alpha 15 <0 2 <0 5 <0 2 <0 3
VOC (ng/L)
Acetone 700 <20 <20 <20 <20
Benzene 5 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
2 Butanone (MEK) 4 000 <20 <20 <20 <20
Carbon Tetrachloride 5 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Chloroform 70 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Chloromethane 30 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Dichloromethane 5 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Naphthalene 100 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
^Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 46 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Toluene 1 000 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Xylenes (total) 10 000 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0 <1 0
Others
Field pH (S U ) 65 85 7 47 7 56 7 51 7 38
Fluonde (mg/L) 4 0 38 0 73 0 53 06
Chlonde (mg/L) NG 112 63 23 40
Sulfate (mg/L) NG 389 179 447 607
TDS (mg/L) NG 900 661 1 010 1 270
General Inorganics Listed in Part 1 E1(c)(2)(ii)
Carbonate (mg/L) NG <1 <1 <1 <1
Bicarbonate (mg/L) NG 340 332 254 450
Sodium (mg/L) NG 214 62 7 93 4 160
Potassium (mg/L) NG 5 77 2 74 3 07 6 57
Magnesium (mg/L) NG 24 8 28 9 29 7 44 7
Calcium (mg/L) NG 92 2 96 5 136 179
Total anions (meq/L) NG 167 103 157 22 3
Total cations (meq/L) NG 156 9 47 148 21 8
1 THF sampled on November 3 2010
NG = No GWCL
Shaded = exceeded GWCL
Table 2
Contaminant GWCL Sampling Event
Parameters Listed in Table 2 ^ 7/25/1977 Ml/10/1977 7/9/2009 July 7 2010
Nutrients (mg/L)
Ammonia (as N) 25 013 <01 <0 05 <0 05
Nitrate -i- Nitrite (as N) 10 0 06 0 26 01 <01
Heavy Metals (pg/L)
Arsenic 50 ^<10 NA <0 05 <5
Beryllium 4 NA NA 01 <0 5
Cadmium 5 ^4 '2 <0 5 <0 5
Chromium 100 ^20 •^<io <25 <25
Cobalt 730 NA NA <10 <10
Copper 1 300 ^5 ^<5 <10 <10
Iron 11 000 3 200 110 <30 <30
Lead 15 ^30 "^<50 <1 <1
Manganese 800 1100 60 <10 <10
Mercury 2 '2 <0 5 <0 5
Molybdenum 40 <10 NA <10 <10
Nickel 100 NA NA <20 <20
Selenium 50 140 NA <5 <5
Silver 100 4 NA <10 <10
Thallium 2 NA NA <0 5 <0 5
Tin 17 000 NA NA <100 <100
Uranium 30 4 NA 8 42 8 24
Vanadium 60 6 <10 <15 <15
Zinc 5 000 60 150 <10 <10
Radiologics (pCi/L)
Gross Alpha 15 10 2±31 NA <0 8 02
VOC (Mg/L)
Acetone 700 NA NA <20 <20
Benzene 5 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
2 Butanone (MEK) 4 000 NA NA <20 <20
Carbon Tetrachlonde 5 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Chlorofonn 70 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Chloromethane 30 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Dichloromethane 5 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Naphthalene 100 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 46 NA NA <1 0 ^<10
Toluene 1 000 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Xylenes (total) 10 000 NA NA <1 0 <1 0
Others
Field pH (S U ) 65 85 70 8 1 73 7 47
Fluoride (mg/L) 4 1 05 04 0 38
Chloride (mg/L) NG 1 71 124 112
Sulfate (mg/L) NG 333 243 383 389
TDS (mg/L) NG 1270 780 1 010 900
General Inorganics Listed in Part 1 E 1 (c)(2)(ii)
Carbonate (mg/L) NG 0 0 <1 <1
Bicarbonate (mg/L) NG NA NA 316 340
Sodium (mg/L) NG 400 115 205 214
Potassium (mg/L) NG 66 43 57 5 77
Magnesium (mg/L) NG 19 28 25 24 8
Calcium (mg/L) NG 58 133 90 3 92 2
Total anions (meq/L) NG NA NA 167 22 3
Total cations (meq/L) NG NA NA 156 21 8
1 Dames and Moore January 30 1978
2 THF sampled on November 3 2010
NG = No GWCL
T = indicates metals analyzed as totals
Environmental Report White Mesa Uraium Project San Juan County Utah Energy Fuels Inc
Table 3
Historic Enterance Spring Concentrations
Contaminant GWCL Monitoring Events
Parameters Listed in Table 2 July 9, 2009 July 6, 2010
Nutrients (mg/L)
Ammonia (as N) 25 0 28 <0 05
Nitrate + Nitrite (as N) 10 1 4 1
Heavy Metals (pg/ L)
Arsenic 50 <5 <5
Beryllium 4 <0 5 <0 5
Cadmium 5 <0 5 <0 5
Chromium 100 <25 <25
Cobalt 730 <10 <10
Copper 1 300 <10 <10
Iron 11 000 <30 <30
Lead 15 <1 <1
Manganese 800 54 11
Mercury 2 <0 5 <0 5
Molybdenum 40 <10 <10
Nickel 100 <20 <20
Selenium 50 12 1 92
Silver 100 <10 <10
Thallium 2 <0 5 <0 5
Tin 17 000 <100 <100
Uranium 30 152 178
Vanadium 60 <15 <15
Zinc 5 000 <10 <10
Radiologics (pCi/ L)
Gross Alpha 15 <0 8 <0 5
VOC (pg/L)
Acetone 700 <20 <20
Benzene 5 <1 0 <1 0
2 Butanone (MEK) 4 000 <20 <20
Carbon Tetrachloride 5 <1 0 <1 0
Chloroform 70 <1 0 <1 0
Chloromethane 30 <1 0 <1 0
Dichloromethane 5 <1 0 <1 0
Naphthalene 100 <1 0 <1 0
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 46 <1 0 ^<10
Toluene 1 000 <1 0 <1 0
Xylenes (total) 10 000 <1 0 <1 0
Others
Field pH (S U ) 65 85 7 64 7 56
Fluoride (mg/L) 4 07 0 73
Chloride (mg/L) NG 60 63
Sulfate (mg/L) NG 178 179
TDS (mg/L) NG 605 661
General Inorganics Listed in Part 1 E 1 (c)(2)(ii)
Carbonate (mg/L) NG <1 <1
Bicarbonate (mg/L) NG 292 332
Sodium (mg/L) NG 61 4 62 7
Potassium (mg/L) NG 24 2 74
Magnesium (mg/L) NG 26 6 28 9
Calcium (mg/L) NG 90 8 96 5
Total anions (meq/L) NG 103 103
Total cations (meq/L) NG 9 47 9 47
NG = No GWCL
1 THF sampled on November 3 2010
Table 4
* Conbiminant Sampling Events
Parameters Listed in Table 2 GWCL 7/25/1977 3/28/2003 6/5/2003 8/29/2003 11/11/2003 3/15/2004 4/20/2004 8/13/2004 9/27/2004 7/9/2009 I 7/7/10
Nutrients (mg/L)
Ammon a (as N) 25 01 0 05 1 5 0 05 <0 05 0 05 06 0 05 0 06 0 09 0 05
Nitrate + N trite (as N) 10 2 77 1 6 0 05 1 4 1 4 1 7 1 8 1 34 1 7 1 4 1 7
Heavy Metals (pg/L)
Arsen c 50 NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 5
Beryllium 4 NA 10 10 <10 10 <10 10 10 10 05 05
Gadm um 5 ^4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 05 05
Chromium 100 ^100 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 <50 <25 <25
Cobalt 730 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 10 10
Copper 1 300 5 10 10 82 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Iron 11 000 20 50 50 50 <50 50 50 50 50 30 30
Lead 15 50 50 50 50 <50 50 50 50 50 1 1
Manganese 800 5 10 10 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 10
Mercury 2 5 1 1 1 <1 1 1 1 1 05 05
Molybdenum 40 NA 100 100 <100 <100 100 100 100 100 17 17
Nicl^el 100 NA 50 50 50 <50 50 50 50 50 20 <20
Selen um 50 NA 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 2 10
Stver 100 NA 1 1 1 <1 1 1 1 1 10 10
Ttiall um 2 NA 1 1 <1 <1 1 1 1 1 05 05
Tn 17 000 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 100 100
U an um 30 NA 9 11 10 10 11 11 9 10 9 11 8 47
Vanadium 60 10 100 100 100 <100 100 <100 100 100 15 15
Z no 5 000 15 14 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Radiologics (pCi/L)
Gross Alptia 15|NA iNA NA INA 1 0 |<1 0 10 1 4|<1 0 08 03
voc (pg/L)
Acetone 700 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 20 20
Benzene 5 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
2 B tano e (MEK) 4 000 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 20 20
Carbon Tetrachlor de 5 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
Chloroform 70 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
Chlo ometha e 30 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
D chlo ometha e 5 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
Naphthalene 100 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 46 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
Toluene 1 000 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
Xylenes (total) 10 000 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 0 1 0
others
F eld pH (S U ) 65 85 78 NA NA 7 91 7 98 NA NA NA NA 7 45 7 51
Fluonde (mg/L) 4 06 NA NA 06 05 05 06 06 06 05 0 53
Chlorde (mg/L) NG 25 28 1 21 5 27 4 28 29 3 28 5 26 25 28 23
Sulfate (mg/L) NG 472 503 501 495 506 539 468 544 613 528 447
TDS (mg/L) NG 975 NA NA 1040 1000 1050 1110 1050 1070 1 010 1 010
General Inorganics Listed in Part 1 E 1 (c)(2)(ii)
Carbo ate (mg/L) NG 0 NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
B carbonate (mg/L) NG NA NA NA 239 241 235 232 238 223 233 254
Sod um (mg/L) NG 200 110 105 103 113 104 110 113 116 104 93 4
Potass um (mg/L) NG 28 26 33 33 39 34 36 4 37 33 3 07
Magnes um (mg/L) NG 265 34 8 34 2 31 7 34 2 35 8 35 1 37 1 38 6 32 3 29 7
Calc um (mg/L) NG 375 153 156 149 158 158 162 176 186 151 136
Total an 0 s (meq/L) NG NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 157 157
Total cat ons (mec;/L) NG NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 148 14 8
1 D m dM J ry30 1978 E m t 1 R p rt Wht M U m P ject S J C ty Ut h E gy F 1 1
2 THF mpl d N
NA N t lyz d
NG N GWCL
T d t th m t I
mb 3 2010
ly d tti
Table 5
Contaminant GWCL Monitormg Event
Parameters Listed in Table 2 November 18 2009 July 8, 2010
N utrients (mg/L)
Ammonia (as N) 25 <0 05 0 05
Nitrate + Nitrite (as N) 10 08 <0 1
Heavy Metals (pg/L)
Arsenic 50 <5 <5
Beryllium 4 <0 5 <0 5
Cadmium 5 <0 5 <0 5
Chromium 100 <25 <25
Cobalt 730 <10 <10
Copper 1 300 <10 <10
Iron 11 000 <30 56
Lead 15 <1 <1
Manganese 800 37 87
Mercury 2 <0 5 <0 5
Molybdenum 40 <10 29
Nickel 100 <20 <20
Selenium 50 <5 <5
Silver 100 <10 <10
Thallium 2 <0 5 <0 5
Tin 17 000 <100 <100
Uranium 30 15 1 46 6
Vanadium 60 <15 <15
Zinc 5 000 <10 <10
Radiologics (pCi/L)
Gross Alpha 15 <0 6 <0 3
VOC (pg/L)
Acetone 700 <20 <20
Benzene 5 <1 0 <1 0
2 Butanone (MEK) 4 000 <20 <20
Carbon Tetrachloride 5 <1 0 <1 0
Chloroform 70 <1 0 <1 0
Chloromethane 30 <1 0 <1 0
Dichloromethane 5 <1 0 <1 0
Naphthalene 100 <1 0 <1 0
Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
Toluene
46
1 000
<1 0
<1 0
^<10
<1 0
Xylenes (total) 10 000 <1 0 <1 0
Others
Field pH (S U ) 65 85 8 01 7 38
Fluoride (mg/L) 4 07 06
Chlonde (mg/L) NG 41 40
Sulfate (mg/L) NG 646 607
TDS (mg/L) NG 1 370 1 270
General Inorganics Listed in Part 1 E 1 (c)(2)(ii)
Carbonate (mg/L) NG <5 <1
Bicarbonate (mg/L) NG 465 450
Sodium (mg/L) NG 195 160
Potassium (mg/L) NG 2 4 6 57
Magnesium (mg/L)
Calcium (mg/L)
NG
NG
26 6
191
44 7
179
Total anions (meq/L)
Total cations (meq/L)
NG
NG
22 3
21 8
22 3
21 8
1 THF sampled on November 3 2010
NG = No GWQS
Shaded = exceeded GWCL
Table 6
Duplicate QA/QC Samples
DRC s sample of DUSA s sample of Back Spring
Cottonwood Cottonwood (duplicate sample of
Contaminant Spnng Spnng RPD Rum Spring Ruin Spring) RPD
Parameters Listed in Table 2 GWCL July 10 2010 July 10 2010
Nutrients (mg/L)
Ammonia (as N) 25 <0 10 <0 05 NC <0 05 <0 05 NC
Nitrate + Nitrite (as N) 10 0 08 <01 NC 1 7 1 7 0 00
Heavy Metals (pg/L)
Arsenic 50 <5 <5 NC <5 <5 NC
Beryllium 4 <0 5 <0 5 NC <0 5 <0 5 NC
Cadmium 5 <0 2 <0 5 NC <0 5 <0 5 NC
Chromium 100 <5 <25 NC <25 <25 NC
Cobalt 730 <5 <10 NC <10 <10 NC
Copper 1 300 <5 <10 NC <10 <10 NC
Iron 11 000 <25 <30 NC <30 <30 NC
Lead 15 1 33 <1 NC <1 <1 NC
Manganese 800 24 4 <10 NC <10 <10 NC
Mercury 2 <0 2 <0 5 NC <0 5 <0 5 NC
Molybdenum 40 <5 <10 NC 17 17 0 00
Nickel 100 <5 <20 NC <20 <20 NC
Selenium 50 5 74 <5 NC 10 10 0 00
Silver 100 <5 <10 NC <10 <10 NC
Thallium 2 <1 <0 5 NC <0 5 <0 5 NC
Tin 17 000 <25 <100 NC <100 <100 NC
Uranium 30 <10 8 24 NC 8 47 8 47 0 00
Vanadium 60 11 3 <15 NC <15 <15 NC
Zinc 5 000 <10 <10 NC <10 <10 NC
Radiologics (pCi/L)
Gross Alpha 15|21 2+/ 7 01 <0 2 NC |<0 2 <0 3 NC
VOC (pg/L)
Acetone 700 <5 <20 NC <20 <20 NC
Benzene 5 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
2 Butanone (MEK) 4 000 <1 <20 NC <20 <20 NC
Carbon Tetrachlonde 5 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Chloroform 70 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Chloromethane 30 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Dichloromethane 5 (B)1 92 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Naphthalene 100 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 46 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Toluene 1 000 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Xylenes (total) 10 000 <1 <1 NC <1 0 <1 0 NC
Others
Field pH (S U ) 65 85 7 34 7 47 1 76 7 51 7 55 0 53
Fluonde (mg/L) 4 0 35 0 38 8 22 0 53 0 51 3 85
Chlonde (mg/L) NG 109 112 271 23 23 0 00
Sulfate (mg/L) NG 386 389 0 77 447 444 0 67
TDS (mg/L) NG 1080 900 18 18 903 950 5 07
General Inorganics Listed in Part 1 E 1 (c)(2)(ii)
Carbonate (mg/L) NG <2 <1 NC <1 <1 NC
Bicarbonate (mg/L) NG 197 340 53 26 254 254 0 00
Sodium (mg/L) NG 221 214 3 22 93 4 97 4 4 19
Potassium (mg/L) NG 3 28 5 77 55 03 3 07 3 08 0 33
Magnesium (mg/L) NG 32 9 24 8 28 08 29 7 30 4 2 33
Calcium (mg/L) NG 90 8 92 2 1 53 136 137 0 73
1 THF sampled on November 3 2010
NG = No GWCL
RPD = Relative Percent Difference
NC = RPD no calculated because one or more of the concentration were below laboratory detiction limits