DRC-2016-011135 - 0901a06880680225

State of Utah
GARY R HERBERT
Governor
Spencer J Cox
Lienlenam Governor
Department of
Environmental Quality
Alan Matheson
Executive Director
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
AND RADIATION CONTROL
Scott T Anderson
Director
DRC-zcnk-otnss
MEMORANDUM
TO: File C-2016-94
THROUGH: Phil Goble, Section Manager
FROM: Russell J. Topham, P.E.
DATE: November 1,2016
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SUBJECT: Inspection of Construction of Primary Radon Barrier on Tailings Disposal Cell 2.
Radioactive Materials License UT1900479 (License) - Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
(EFR) White Mesa Mill, Blanding, Utah.
On October 17, 2016, I traveled to the White Mesa Mill to perform multiple inspections, including an
inspection of placement and compaction of the primary Radon barrier on Tailings Disposal Cell 2, on
behalf of the Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC). The construction
reflects the as-yet unapproved requirements of Reclamation Plan 5.1.
I checked in at the White Mesa Mill at 8:00 AM on October 17, 2016, and asked to see David Turk, Site
Manager for Environmental Health and Safety. Mr. Turk assigned Mr. Steve Hancock to accompany me on
this inspection.
When 1 arrived at Cell 2, the work crews were already at work. The work crew consists of a manager
(Steve Hancock), a construction superintendent, one bulldozer with operator in the fill area, a loader with
operator (in the fill area), and three off-road haul trucks and a water truck with operators (working the fill
areas). The borrow area was not active; crews were leveling the platform fill, removing overbuilds and
filling low areas. No detailed reports are needed here, as the specifications allow for an 85% compactive
effort, which is achievable without applying additional energy to the material following placement and
grading.
I walked the areas of Cell 2 that had received primary Radon barrier fill, i.e., all areas west of the slimes
drain port. I observed the results of placement, conditioning and compaction of the fill, noting that the
surgace was smooth and hard, and that grading had prevented ponding during recent storm events.
Following the review of field activities, I returned to the Mill office, and reviewed copies of laboratory
analyses and field density testing to confirm that the crews used appropriate materials and achieved
acceptable results in the placement effort. The results of the testing are not summarized here, since a good
summary was provided. That summary appears in the attachment to this report.
Finding: EFR appears to have followed applicable provisions of Reclamation Plan 5.1 in constructing the
195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT
Mailing Address PO Box 144880 • Salt Lake City. UT 84114-4880
Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone] -TDD [phone]
uninu.deq.utnh.gov
Printed on 100% recycled paper
C-2015-54
Memorandum: Inspection of October 17, 2016
Page 2
portions of the cover system installed to date. However, since Reclamation Plan 5.1 remains unapproved
as of the date of this Memorandum, the licensee is proceeding at his own risk.
Recommendation: I recommend closing out the inspection of October 17, 2016.
I discussed this inspection with Logan Shumway, the Mill Manager, prior to departing.
Attachments: Photo Log
Photo 1: Looking northeast across a finished portion of the primary Cell 2
Radon barrier toward the mill. The surface was rolled hard and smooth, and
had shed a recent storm without visible erosion. Photo taken October 17, 2016.
Photo 3: Closeup of Cell 2 slimes drain. Photo taken October 17, 2016.
.• 7: ■.. f r '^ :
Photo 2: Looking west-northwest across the finished portion of the primary
Cell 2 Radon barrier. Note the newly extended Cell 2 slimes drain in the
foreground. Photo taken October 17, 2016.
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Photo 4: Top of cover test section. Bermed area is over the lysimeter. Photo
taken October 17, 2016.