DRC-2013-001561 - 0901a0688035aaf0

Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
225 Union Blvd. Suite 600
Lakewood, CO, US, 80228
ENERGYFUELS 303 974 2140
www.energyfuels.com
VIA EMAIL AND OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
March 13,2013
Mr. Rusty Limdberg
Director of the Utah Division of Radiation Control
State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality
195 North 1950 West
P.O. BOX 144850 nOP ^04"7 f\ f\ Jt v
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-4850 Ul\U - cUl^-OU 156 1
Re: White Mesa Mill Abandonment Plan for Selected TWN-Series Wells
This letter transmits Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.'s ("EFRI's") Abandonment Plan for Selected
TWN-Series Wells at White Mesa Mill, prepared by our hydrogeological consultant. Hydro Geo Chem.
Inc. This plan was prepared consistent with the requirements of the approved May 7,2012 Nitrate
Corrective Action Plan ("CAP") Section 7.2.1,and addresses the abandonment of.
Because Section 7.2.1 requires that the wells addressed by this Abandonment Plan be abandoned within
one year of the December 12, 2012 approval of the CAP, we request that the Division of Radiation
Control review and approve this Plan at your earliest convenience so that abandonment can proceed as
soon as possible.
Please contact me at [phone] if you have any questions or require any further information.
Yours very truly,
ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
Jo Ann Tischler
Manager, Compliance and Licensing
CC David C. Frydenlund
Phil Goble, Utah DRC
Dean Henderson, Utah DRC
Dan Hillsten
Harold R. Roberts
David E. Turk
Kathy Weinel
Attachments
%
N:\WMM\Nitrate Investigation and CIRVWell abandonment\Abandonment Plan Final\Ltr to R Limdberg Nitrate Well
abandonmt plan 03.11.13 .doc
Letter to Rusty Lundberg
March 13,2013
Page 2 of2
ATTACHMENT 1
Abandonment Plan for Selected TWN-Series Wells
HYDRO GEO CHEM, INC.
Environmental Science & Technology
March 11,2013
Jo Ann Tischler
Director, Compliance and Permitting
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Lie
225 Union Blvd., Suite 600
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
Re: Abandonment of Selected TWN-series Wells, White Mesa Uranium Mill Near
Blanding, Utah
Dear Ms. Tischler,
This letter provides a plan to abandon temporary perched nitrate monitoring wells TWN-5, TWN-8,
TWN-9, TWN-10, TWN-11, TWN-12, TWN-13, TWN-15, and TWN-17. This work constitutes a
portion of Phase II of the May 7,2012 Correction Action Plan for Nitrate, White Mesa Uranium Mill
Near Blanding, Utah (the CAP). As discussed below, the abandonment must be performed by a State
of Utah licensed driller in accordance with applicable regulations (State of Utah Administrative
Rules for Water Wells R655-4-14).
Background
The White Mesa site contains a total of 97 perched monitoring wells, temporary perched monitoring
wells, and piezometers (Figure 1) that are screened in a relatively shallow perched water zone hosted
primarily by the Burro Canyon Formation. Where saturated thicknesses are greater, the perched
water rises into the overlying Dakota Sandstone. The perched water is supported by the Brushy Basin
Member of the Morrison Formation, a bentonitic shale (considered impermeable) that underlies the
Burro Canyon Formation.
The 19 TWN-series temporary wells are located north-northeast (upgradient) of the tailings cells at
the site and were installed primarily to monitor hydraulic conditions and nitrate concentrations in the
northeast portion of the site. Many of these wells help to define a perched zone nitrate plume that
extends from a location northeast (upgradient) of the tailings cells to the northeast portion of the
tailings cell complex.
51 WestWetmore,Smte 101 Tucson, Arizona 85705-1678 ri 520 293.1500 520.293.1550-Fax [phone]-Toll Free
Jo Ann Tischler
March 11, 2013
Page 2
Based on criteria provided in the CAP, some of the TWN-series wells will be retained for water level
and groundwater quality monitoring, and some for water level monitoring only. Wells TWN-5,
TWN-8, TWN-9, TWN-10, TWN-11, TWN-12, TWN-13, TWN-15, and TWN-17 (Figure 1) are not
needed for either purpose and are to be abandoned in accordance with applicable regulations (State
of Utah Administrative Rules for Water Wells R655-4-14).
Well Construction
Table 1 provides well construction details for all TWN-series wells to be abandoned and Table 2
provides surveyed well locations and elevations. Appendix A contains the well construction
diagrams. Each well to be abandoned is constructed within a nominal 6 % - inch diameter borehole
using 4-inch diameter flush-thread schedule 40 PVC casing and 0.02-slot factory slotted PVC screen.
The annular space within each screened interval contains a Colorado silica sand filter pack overlain
by a bentonite seal of approximately 3 to 5 foot thickness. The annular space above the seal is
grouted to the surface. Note that the screened interval of TWN-17 extends into the bore seal of the
well.
Depths of wells range from approximately 102.5 to 155 feet below land surface (bis) and each boring
extends a few feet into the underlying Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation. As noted
above, the Brushy Basin is bentonitic and considered impermeable. The variability in well depth is
primarily due to the irregular elevation of the Burro Canyon/Brushy Basin contact in this portion of
the site.
The screened intervals of the wells range in length from 50 to 80 feet, and the filter pack lengths
from approximately 55.5 to 87.5 feet. The variability in screened length is related to the variable
saturated thickness of the perched zone in this portion of the site.
Well Abandonment
Because the well casings are constructed of PVC and are grouted in place, pulling of casings prior to
abandonment is not feasible. Wells will be abandoned in accordance with State of Utah
Administrative Code R655-4 subsection 14.9 Abandonment of Gravel Packed Wells by a "currently
licensed water well driller who shall be responsible for verification of the procedures and materials
used".
After removing any equipment present and sounding to ensure that no obstructions exist that might
interfere with filling and sealing, each abandoned well will be "pressure grouted throughout the
perforated or screened section of the well. The remainder of the well will be filled with sand cement
grout, neat cement grout, bentonite abandonment products, or bentonite grout. The uppermost ten
(10) feet of the abandoned well casing shall consist of neat cement grout or sand cement grout." The
casing of each abandoned well "shall be severed a minimum of two feet below the natural ground
surface adjacent to the well or at the collar of the hole, whichever is the lower elevation. A minimum
of two (2) feet of compacted native material shall be placed above the abandoned well upon
completion".
H \718000\iutrate2011\CAP\WeU_Al)aiKloniiient\TWN_AbaiidoimiEm_rev 13-0311 doc
Jo Arm Tischler
March 11, 2013
Page 3
With regard to placement of materials within the well, "neat cement grout shall be introduced at the
bottom of the well" and "placed progressively upward to the top of the well. The sealing material
shall be placed by the use of a grout pipe, tremie line, dump bailer, or equivalent in order to avoid
freefall, bridging, or dilution of sealing materials or separation of aggregates from sealants".
With regard to any bentonite-based abandonment products that may be used, "bentonite-based
abandonment products shall be mixed and placed according to manufacturer's specifications and
result in a seal free of voids or bridges. Granular or powdered bentonite shall not be placed under
water. When placing unhydrated bentonite, a sounding or tamping tool shall be mn in the sealing
interval during pouring to measure fill-up rate, verify a continuous seal placement, and to break up
possible bridges or cake formations".
Reporting
A well abandonment report for each abandoned well will be prepared by the licensed driller
performing the abandonment.
As specified in State of Utah Administrative Code R655-4, "within 30 days of the completion of
abandonment work on any well, the driller shall file an abandonment log with the state engineer. The
blank abandonment log will be mailed to the licensed well driller upon notice to the state engineer of
commencement of abandonment work as described in Subsection R655-4-4(4.2.4)".
As per R655-4, "the water right number or non-production well number, owner name/address, and the
well location (if available) will be preprinted on the blank abandonment log provided to the well driller.
The driller is required to verify this information and make any necessary changes on the abandonment
log prior to submitting the log. The driller must provide the following information on the abandonment
log:
a. Existing well construction information;
b. Date of abandonment;
c. Reason for abandonment;
d. A description of the abandonment method;
e. A description of the abandonment materials including depth intervals, material type,
quantity, and mix ratio;
f. Replacement well information (if applicable);
g. The well driller's statement to include the driller name, license number, signature, and
date."
H\71800a\iiitrate201I\CAPVWeILAbandooiiEiit\TWN_Abai]donnKiit_iev 13-0311 doc
Jo Ann Tischler
March 11,2013
Page 4
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Stewart J. Smith
Vice President
Attachments: Tables (2)
Figure 1
Appendix A
H \718000\iutrate2011\CAPVWeILAbandoim]ent\TWN_Abai)doiiii]eiit_rev 13-0311 doc
ATTACHMENTS
TABLES
1 Well Construction Details
2 Well Survey Data
FIGURE
1 White Mesa Site Plan Showing Locations of Perched Wells and Piezometers
APPENDIX A
A Well Construction Diagrams
TABLES
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FIGURE
MW-18 TVWMW
YVESTWATER
DF»-06 DR-07
• MW-24
MW-19
« TWfN-18 TWf«»7
mEZ-02
r%LSi^if.
TWN-01
MW-23
MW-35
MW-36
MW-12
TW4-210
TW4-19 IW4-18
7W4-05
• 'JW44)3JW4-12
._oum-04
• •™'4-07l*O „
MW-31 0 OTW4-08 MW-32 TW4-01
TW4-04O TW4-14
1W4-06
O TW4-27
O TW4.26 *
ENTRANCE SPRING
DR-10 DR-11 Dn-12 DR-13
MW-03
DR.19 DR-20
MW-22
APPENDKA
WELL CONSTRUCTION DIAGRAMS
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION = 5655 18 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
= 5653.70 FT AMSL
10
Q. UI Q
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140 -
150
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
TEfTraTraraTTHrHTraTHT
NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DlAi
BOREHOLE*
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
BENTONITE SEAL
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH
THREAD PVC CASING
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA.
BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
NOT TO SCALE
•
HYDRO
GEO
_ CHEM, INC
TWN^
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
SS
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name
7180226A
Figure
Al
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION = 5651 48 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION ^ = 5649 35 FT AMSL ^Jf
Hiiiiiiiiil
Q. UJ
a
10
20
30 -
40 -
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130 -
140
150 -
DAKOTA FMl'l 5'-0" "-^
DEPTH TO WATER
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIA! BOREHOLE • ' '
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH
THREAD PVC CASING
BENTONITE SEAL
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
1421-^
BRUSHY BASIN
150-0 DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
•
HYDRO
GEO
_ CHEM, INC
TWN-8
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
SS
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name Figure
A2
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION
= 5647.45 FT AMSL
a> I
•4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
= 5645 68 FT AMSL
10
Q. UJ Q
20
30 -
40
50 -
60 -
70 -
80
90 -
100
g4lrQ:
BRUSHY BASIN
NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIA!
BOREHOLE
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH
THREAD PVC CASING
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
BENTONITE SEAL
DEPTH TO WATER NOMINAL b 3/4 INLH DIA. BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC
TWN-9
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Approved
SS
Data Author Dale
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name
7180230A
figure
A3
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION = 5666.98 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DlAi BOREHOLE ^ ' '
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
110"-107-6"
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH THREAD PVC CASING
BENTONITE SEAL
•NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA. BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
DEPTH TO WATER
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD 0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC
TWN-10
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Approved
SS
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name
7180231A
Figure
A4
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION
=» 5684.53 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
= 568316 FT AMSL J
11=11=11=11=11=
Q. U Q
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150'-
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
^NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIAsf "^BOREHOLE ' ' *
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH
THREAD PVC CASING
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
1401-^
BRUSHY BASIN
NOT TO SCALE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC
TWN-11
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10 7180232A
Figure
A5
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION = 5668 24 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
= 5667 03 FT AMSL J
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
1^
Q.
10
20
30
40
50
60 -
70 -
80
90
100
110
VV\V7\VAV>.V>t/ll DAKOTA FMN^
5'-0" ^
DEPTH TO WATER
-•—•--NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIA! P5^^?^^B0REH0LE
lO'-O"
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH
THREAD PVC CASING
BENTONITE SEAL
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD 0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
«HYDRO
GEO
_ CHEM, INC
TWN-12
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Approved
SS
Date Author Date File Name
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10 7180233A A6
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION
= 5634.32 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
= 5633 04 FT AMSL ^Jt
DEPTH TO WATER
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
• .-..-^.-JNOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIA ' f5!p>W^B0REH0LP
10-0
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH THREAD PVC CASING
BENTONITE SEAL
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
120-0" DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC
TWN-IS
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Approved
SS
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name
7180234A
Rgure
A7
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION
= 5676 49 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION
10
Q. UJ O
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140 -
150
160
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIA BOREHOLE
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH THREAD PVC CASING
BENTONITE SEAL
DEPTH TO WATER
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA. BOREHOLE
4 INCH DJA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0.02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
150:-^"
BRUSHY BAS|^,_^, DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
SHYDRO
GEO
_ CHEM, INC
TWN-15
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Approved
SS
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name
7180236A
Rgure
A8
TOP OF CASING ELEVATION = 5641 55 FT AMSL
GROUND SURFACE ELEVATION = 5639 73 FT AMSL
10 -
20
30
40 -
Q. UI
a
50
60 -
70
80
90
100
110 -
•f^753J5^0REH0LE
DEPTH TO WATER
4 INCH DIA PVC CAP
NOMINAL 12 3/4 INCH DIA iff
SURFACE CASING (8 INCH DIA PVC)
PORTLAND CEMENT GROUT
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH
THREAD PVC CASING
BENTONITE SEAL
104:-^'
BRUSHY BASIN
IIO'-O"
NOMINAL 6 3/4 INCH DIA BOREHOLE
COLORADO SILICA GRAVEL PACK
4 INCH DIA SCH 40 FLUSH-THREAD
0 02 SLOT PVC SCREEN
DEPTH DRILLED
NOT TO SCALE
•
HYDRO
GEO
_ CHEM, INC
TWN.17
AS-BUILT WELL CONSTRUCTION SCHEMATIC
Approved
SS
Date Author Date
03/04/10 AMC 03/04/10
File Name
7180238A
Figure
A9