DRC-2017-000817 - 0901a068806a8555

State of Utah
GARY R. HERBERT Governor SPENCER J. COX
Lieutenant Governor
Department of
Environmental Quality
Alan Matheson Executive Director DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RADIATION CONTROL Scott T. Anderson Director

February 8, 2017

Kathy Weinel, Quality Assurance Manager
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
225 Union Blvd., Suite 600
Lakewood, CO 80228
RE: January 16, 2017 Transmittal White Mesa Uranium Mill Abandonment Report for MW-3
Utah Groundwater Discharge Permit No. UGW370004

Dear Ms. Weinel:
The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control has completed its review of the January 16,
2017 Transmittal White Mesa Uranium Mill Abandonment Report for MW-3 submitted in accordance
with the November 14, 2016 Abandonment Plan for MW-3. The Abandonment Plan was approved on
November 16, 2016. According to the Abandonment Plan, the abandonment was to be conducted pursuant to the requirements of R655-4-14.8 and R655-4-14.10 of the Utah Administrative Code.

According to the Report, the abandonment of monitoring well MW-3 was conducted on
November 30, 2016 by Bayles Exploration Inc. under the direction of Stewart J. Smith, P.G. (Hydro Geo
Chem. Inc.). The Division notes that Bayles Exploration is a currently licensed water well driller. The Report indicates that the well casing and installed packer were drilled out. According to the field
abandonment report, included as Appendix C of the Report, the borehole was then filled using
Holeplug® 3/8” sodium bentonite chips and water. Division staff contacted the Utah Division of Water
Rights on February 1, 2017 and confirmed that a copy of the drillers well abandonment report had been
received for review.
Based on review of the Report, it appears that the plugging and abandonment of monitoring well MW-3
was conducted according to the November 14, 2016 Abandonment Plan. The review is therefore closed
out. Please note that the requirements associated with Monitoring Well MW-3 will be removed from
Ground Water Permit No. UGW370004 during the next permit renewal. (Over)
DRC-2017-000817 195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144880 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880
Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone] • T.D.D. [phone] www.deq.utah.gov Printed on 100% recycled paper
If you have any questions, please call Tom Rushing at [phone].

Sincerely,

Scott T. Anderson, Director
Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
STA/TR/ka

c: Rick Meyer, Acting Health Officer/Environmental Health Director, San Juan Public Health
Scott Hacking, P.E., DEQ District Engineer