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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2021-020161 - 0901a06880fb639cDry oi and 1-!ad: Cortot NOV AP1 Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd. Suite 600 Lakewood, CO, US, 80228 303 974 2140 D 02.01G I wwwxnerofuels,com November 16, 2021 Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY Mr. Doug Hansen Director Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control Utah Department of Environmental Quality 195 North 1950 West Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Re: Transmittal of Q3-21 Data Quality Report ("DQR") for the White Mesa Cell 2 Cover Test Section Monitoring Dear Mr. Hansen: In accordance with the Stipulation and Consent Agreement ("SCA") dated February 23, 2017, between the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control ("DWMRC") and Energy Fuels Resource (USA) Inc. ("EFRI"), EFRI constructed a cover performance monitoring test section on Cell 2 in 2016 and initiated performance monitoring. This letter transmits the data quality report for monitoring data collected during the third quarter of 2021. Please note that this report is for quality assurance only and does not provide interpretive information. Interpretive information is provided in annual reports. For your convenience, two hard copies of the report and two CDs, each containing a word searchable electronic copy of the files, will be mailed to DWMRC. If you should have any questions regarding this transmittal please contact me at 303-389-4134. Yours ve ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David Frydenlund Garrin Palmer Logan Shumway Scott Bakken November 16, 2021 Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY Mr. Doug Hansen Director Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control Utah Department of Environmental Quality 195 North 1950 West Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd. Suite 600 Lakewood, CO, US, 80228 303 974 2140 www.energyfucls.com Re: Transmittal of Q3-21 Data Quality Report ("DQR") for the White Mesa Cell 2 Cover Test Section Monitoring Dear Mr. Hansen: In accordance with the Stipulation and Consent Agreement ("SCA") dated February 23, 2017, between the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control ("DWMRC") and Energy Fuels Resource (USA) Inc. ("EFRI"), EFRI constructed a cover performance monitoring test section on Cell 2 in 2016 and initiated performance monitoring. This letter transmits the data quality report for monitoring data collected during the third quarter of 2021. Please note that this report is for quality assurance only and does not provide interpretive information. Interpretive information is provided in annual reports. For your convenience, two hard copies of the report and two CDs, each containing a word searchable electronic copy of the files, will be mailed to DWMRC. If you should have any questions regarding this transmittal please contact me at 303-389-4134. ~~r;~ ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David Frydenlund Garrin Palmer Logan Shumway Scott Bakken Q3-21 DATA QUALITY REPORT FOR THE PRIMARY TEST SECTION WHITE MESA MILL – TAILINGS MANAGEMENT CELL 2 ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH 30 October 2021 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION This data quality report (DQR) was prepared to record data quality assurance for the White Mesa Mill cover performance monitoring test section (Primary Test Section) for third quarter 2021 (Q3-21). This report is documentary and not interpretative. The annual report includes interpretation of the monitoring data. The Primary Test Section was constructed in August – September 2016 over tailings management Cell 2 at Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.’s White Mesa Mill in San Juan County, Utah. Hydrological monitoring was initiated on 29 September 2016. A large-scale “ACAP” drainage lysimeter monitors the test section. The lysimeter is equipped to monitor water balance components and meteorological data. Fig. 1 shows a profile of the final cover being evaluated at White Mesa (minimum thickness). Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional schematic of the lysimeter. The test section is instrumented with two nests of vertically stacked and co-located sensors to monitor soil temperature and soil water content, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The nests are on the centerline of the test section at the upper and lower third points. Probes in the lower nest are odd numbered and probes in the upper nest are even numbered. The water content probes were calibrated with on-site soils collected during construction. Temperature compensation was incorporated into the calibrations. Flows from runoff, lateral flow (interflow), and percolation collection points in the test section are routed via pipe (Fig. 2) to collection basins in a subsurface vault downslope from the test section. Flow into each basin is monitored by tipping buckets and a pressure transducer. Flows reported by the tipping bucket are described in terms of “tips,” whereas water elevations reported by the transducers are reported as “stage.” Flows are reported in mm of water per unit area. The tipping buckets and pressure transducers were initially calibrated in September 2016 and have been re-calibrated annually. The most recent calibration was on 8 September 2021. 2.0 WATER BALANCE DATA Data in this DQR were collected during Q3-21 from 24 June 2021 to 25 September 2021. These dates align with automated data downloads and do not correspond precisely to the start and end of Q3-21. Data for 26 September 2021 and onward will be included in the Q4-21 report. Fig. 3 shows the water balance graph for the test sections and Table 1 summarizes the water balance quantities. Fig. 4 shows cumulative percolation and daily precipitation for both test sections. Figs. 5-31 show data from each sensor collected during Q3-21. The quality assurance summary is on pg. 7. Approximately 109 mm of precipitation was recorded in Q3-21 from a series of storms that occurred throughout the quarter (Fig. 7). The precipitation received in Q3-21 is 65% of the total precipitation received in 2021 (Table 1). Heavy storms during this period generated a small amount of runoff (Figs. 3, 23). Infiltration into the cover was limited to shallow depths, with water contents responding at the upper most water content sensors (457 mm bgs, Fig. 13), but not at greater depths (Figs. 14-19). No lateral flow or additional percolation was induced by the infiltration (Figs. 26, 29). Precipitation that infiltrated was transpired. Soil water storage remained near an all-time low at the end of Q3-21. 2 Percolation began at the onset of Q3-21 in response to the downward thermal gradient as observed in previous summers. Percolation continued at a relatively steady rate throughout Q3-21 (Fig. 29). 3.0 CONCERNS • Significant differences in water content exist between Probes 1 and 2 and between Probes 3 and 4. These differences have existed since 2017 and are a response to lateral water movement above the compacted layer associated with infiltration of snowmelt in 2017. These differences are not a substantive concern. Comparison of water contents reported by these probes will continue during future quality control activities. 4.0 RESOLVED ISSUES • The reed switches on the lateral flow basin were replaced during the annual maintenance and calibration exercise on 8 September 2021. The reed switches are now functioning properly. • The pressure transducer in the percolation basin stopped recording percolation on 7 July 2021. No data were lost, as percolation is measured by two other devices (70-mL tipper and 1-L tipper). Inspection of the percolation basin during the annual maintenance and calibration exercise indicated that the flout was not functioning, allowing water to continuously drain from the basin and precluding stage to develop that could be measured with the pressure transducer. The flout box was found to be leaking and the flexible coupling had become stiff and inflexible. Both were replaced to resolve the issue. Flexible couplings in the runoff and lateral flow basins were also replaced as a preventative measure. These repairs resolved the issue with the pressure transducer measurement in the percolation basin, and are intended to prevent future problems in the other basins. • The modem was inspected during the annual maintenance and calibration exercise and was functioning properly. Discussions with Verizon indicated that the software changes made in Q4-20, which include a protocol that resets the modem on a daily basis, is the best means to resolve the connectivity malfunctions that occurred in Fall 2020. No connectivity issues have occurred since this software change was made in Q4-20. Thus, the modem was not replaced. 5.0 ACTION ITEMS • Continue comparing water content Probes 1 and 2 and Probes 3 and 4. 3 Fig. 1. Schematic of cover profile evaluated at White Mesa. 0 0 0 0 0.5 ft Erosion Layer 3.5 ft Growth Medium 3.0 ft Compacted Cover 2.5 ft Interim Layer 0 = WCR or thermocouple 4 Fig. 2. Schematic of lysimeter used for the White Mesa Primary Test Section. rosion layer (0.5 ft} ____________________________ Growth Medium (3.5 ft) ____________________ _ Root Barrier Sump Percolation Pipe Compacted Subgrade Compacted Cover (3.0 ft) ......................... Interim Cover (2.S_ft). 60 mil LLDPE GM Geocomposite Drain Compacted Subgrade 60mil LLDPE GM 5 Table 1. Water balance quantities for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 09/25/21. Calendar Year Water Balance Quantities (mm) Precipitation Runoff Lateral Flow ET D Storage Percolation 2016 59.9 0.03 0.00 34.6 16.9 0.00 2017 222.7 0.06 0.00 324.8 39.4 0.65 2018 163.4 0.09 0.00 124.6 37.9 0.90 2019 309.1 0.28 0.00 325.9 0.9 1.01 2020 130.4 0.04 0.00 175.6 -64.5 0.89 2021 166.0 0.17 0.00 173.8 -8.8 0.50 *damage from vault flooding precluded measuring flows from 7 February 2017 – 25 March 2017. 6 Fig. 3. Water balance quantities for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 09/25/21. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 0 1 2 3 4 5 9/20/16 7/23/17 5/25/18 3/27/19 1/27/20 11/28/20 9/30/21 Soil Water Storage ET Surface Runoff Percolation Lateral Flow So i l W a t e r S t o r a g e , C u m u l a t i v e P r e c i p i t a t i o n , an d C u m u l a t i v e E v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n ( m m ) Cu m u l a t i v e R u n o f f , L a t e r a l F l o w , a n d P e r c o l a t i o n ( m m ) Precipitation White Mesa, UT 7 DATA QUALITY REPORT SUMMARY: Q3-21 White Mesa Primary Test Section 06/24/21 through 09/25/21 Water Balance Summary • Table 1 summarizes the water balance of the test section since inception. • Fig. 3 presents the water balance graph for the test section since inception. • Fig. 4 shows graphs of daily precipitation and cumulative percolation for the test section since inception. Meteorology • The battery and solar panel are working properly (Fig. 5). • All meteorological sensors are working properly (Figs. 6-12). • The on-site precipitation data are generally consistent with, but slightly lower than, the NWS data recorded at the Blanding station (KBDG, 37.62° N, 109.47° W, Elev.: 6001 ft) (Fig.7). Independent precipitation measurements recorded by the Geonor gage and the tipping bucket are in good agreement (Fig. 8). • Solar radiation data are consistent with data recorded at the NWS Blanding station (Fig. 12). Test Section • The WCR probes to measure water content are functioning properly (Figs. 13-19). Differences in water content of approximately 0.12 are reported by Probes 3 and 4 in the compacted layer at 2134 mm bgs (Fig. 18). Differences in water content of approximately 0.10 are reported by Probes 1 and 2 in the interim layer at 2743 mm bgs (Fig. 19). These differences in water content are real and reflect spatial variations in water content that remain from the deep penetration of a wetting front in Q1-17. • The thermocouples used to measure soil temperature are functioning properly (Fig. 20). • Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for runoff are reasonably consistent (Figs. 21-23). • Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for lateral flow are reasonably consistent (Figs. 24-26). • Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for percolation are reasonably consistent after the site visit on 8 September 2021. 8 • The vault stage has been negative, indicating no accumulating water (Fig. 30). • The voltage sensor that monitors the power supply in the vault is functioning properly (Fig. 31). Power loss to the vault was recorded briefly on 23 July 2021. Power was restored rapidly and no loss of data occurred. 9 Fig. 4. Daily precipitation (blue) and cumulative percolation (red) for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 09/25/21. Fig. 5. Battery voltage for the datalogger at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0 10 20 30 40 50 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 9/20/16 7/23/17 5/25/18 3/27/19 1/27/20 11/28/20 9/30/21 Da i l y P r e c i p i t a t i o n ( m m ) Cu m u l a t i v e P e r c o l a t i o n ( m m ) White Mesa, UT Percolation Precipitation 10 11 12 13 14 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 Ba t t e r y ( V o l t s ) \ 10 Fig. 6. Daily precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21 Fig. 7. Cumulative precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and NWS Blanding station (red) from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21-1 5 10 15 20 Da i l y P r e c i p i t a t i o n ( m m ) 0 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/210 50 100 150 Cu m u l a t i v e P r e c i p i t a t i o n ( m m ) White Mesa NWS Blanding 11 Fig. 8. Precipitation from tipper and Geonor precipitation gauge at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 9. Daily air temperature at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20 White Mesa, UT Ti p p e r P r e c i p i t a t i o n ( m m ) Geonor Precipitation (mm) 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 Min Air Temp Avg. Air Temp Max Air Temp 0 10 20 30 40 Da i l y A i r T e m p e r a t u r e ( oC) .... ········· ........... ····/ • .... •·········/ ✓•,/// ..... •···/ •.. •· e/,/ ., ...... ... •·· 12 Fig. 10. Daily relative humidity at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 11. Daily mean wind speed at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 Min RH Avg. RH Max RH 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Da i l y R e l a t i v e H u m i d i t y ( % ) 0 2 4 6 8 10 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 Da i l y M e a n W i n d S p e e d ( m / s ) 13 Fig. 12 Total daily solar radiation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and NWS Blanding station (red) from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 13. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (457 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 So l a r R a d i a t i o n ( W - h r / m 2) White Mesa Blanding 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/10/21 7/30/21 8/20/21 9/9/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (457-mm Depth Topsoil Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 13 Probe 14 14 Fig. 14. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (685 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. Fig.15. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (914 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (685-mm Depth Growth Medium Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 11 Probe 12 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (914-mm Depth Growth Medium Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 9 Probe 10 I 15 Fig. 16. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1524 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. Fig. 17. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1829 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (1524-mm Depth Compacted Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 8 Probe 7 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (1829-mm Depth Compacted Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 6 Probe 5 /_ ... T - \ 16 Fig. 18. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (2134 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. Fig. 19. Volumetric water content in the interim layer (2743 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (2134-mm Depth Compacted Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 4 Probe 3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT (2743-mm Depth Interim Layer) Vo l u m e t r i c W a t e r C o n t e n t Probe 2 Probe 1 17 Fig. 20. Soil temperature in the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21 (sensor depths in mm bgs in legend, D = downslope; U = upslope). Fig. 21. Cumulative tips from tipper in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0 10 20 30 40 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT 2743 mm D 2743 mm U 2134 mm D 2134 mm U 1829 mm D 1829 mm U 1524 mm D 1524 mm U 914 mm D 914 mm U 685 mm D 685 mm U 457 mm D 457 mm U So i l T e m p e r a t u e ( oC) 2743 mm (D) 457 mm (U) 0 10 20 30 40 50 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Cu m u l a t i v e T i p s f o r R u n o f f Tipper (1 L) Calibration ► 18 Fig. 22. Pressure transducer stage in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 23. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from the tipper in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0 100 200 300 400 500 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Ru n o f f B a s i n S t a g e f o r R u n o f f ( m m ) Calibration 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Cu m u l a t i v e F l o w i n R u n o f f B a s i n ( m m ) Tipper (1 L) Pressure Transducer 19 Fig. 24. Cumulative tips from tipper in the lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 25. Pressure transducer stage in lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0 2 4 6 8 10 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Cu m u l a t i v e T i p s f o r L a t e r a l F l o w Tipper (1 L) Calibration 0 100 200 300 400 500 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Pr e s s u r e T r a n s d u c e r S t a g e f o r L a t e r a l F l o w ( m m ) Calibration I I I I I -- -- -- -- -- I I I I I 20 Fig. 26. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tipper in lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 27. Cumulative tips from the tipper in the drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Cu m u l a t i v e F l o w i n L a t e r a l F l o w B a s i n ( m m ) Tipper (1 L)Pressure Transducer 0 500 1000 1500 2000 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Cu m u l a t i v e T i p s f o r D r a i n a g e Tipper (1 L) Tipper (70 mL) \ 21 Fig. 28. Pressure transducer stage in drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 29. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tippers in drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. 0 100 200 300 400 500 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UTPr e s s u r e T r a n s d u c e r S t a g e f o r D r a i n a g e ( m m ) Calibration 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Cu m u l a t i v e F l o w i n D r a i n a g e B a s i n ( m m ) Tipper (70 mL) Pressure Transducer Tipper (1 L) I 22 Fig. 30. Vault stage for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. Fig. 31. Vault voltage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/21 to 09/25/21. -10.0 -7.5 -5.0 -2.5 0.0 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Va u l t S t a g e ( m m ) 100 120 140 160 180 200 6/20/21 7/7/21 7/24/21 8/10/21 8/27/21 9/13/21 9/30/21 White Mesa, UT Va u l t V o l t a g e ( v o l t )