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Home My WebLink AboutDRC-2021-021142 - 0901a06880fc2f9e DRC-2021-021142 195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144880 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Telephone (801) 536-0200 • Fax (801) 536-0222 • T.D.D. (801) 536-4284 www.deq.utah.gov Printed on 100% recycled paper State of Utah SPENCER J. COX Governor DEIDRE HENDERSON Lieutenant Governor Department of Environmental Quality Kimberly D. Shelley Executive Director DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RADIATION CONTROL Douglas J. Hansen Director December 7, 2021 Kathy Weinel, Quality Assurance Manager Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd., Suite 600 Lakewood, CO 80228 RE: Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. November 16, 2021, Transmittal of Plan and Time Schedule Groundwater Discharge Permit No. UGW370004 (Permit) Dear Ms. Weinel: The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) has reviewed the Energy Fuels Resources (EFR) November 16, 2021, Transmittal of Plan and Time Schedule under Utah Groundwater Discharge Permit UGW370004 Part I.G.4(c) White Mesa Mill (EFR Plan). The EFR Plan addresses exceedances of the Groundwater Compliance Limits (GWCLs) for manganese and sulfate in monitoring well MW-11. Monitoring Well MW-11 is in out-of-compliance status for manganese and sulfate per the Permit Part I.G.2. based on 3rd and 4th Quarter 2021 dual consecutive exceedances of the Permit GWCL’s and is therefore required to undergo corrective action per the Permit Part I.G.4. The table below summarizes the preliminary findings in the EFR Plan: Monitoring Well Parameters EFR Noted Preliminary Findings and Source Assessment MW-11 Manganese Sulfate • EFRI notes that manganese and sulfate concentrations in MW-11 have been noted as having statistically significant trends in previous studies (Groundwater Background Report and the 2008 University of Utah Study). • EFRI notes that monitoring well MW-11 is directly downgradient of the Nitrate/Chloride plume and that low nitrate concentrations and increases in chloride “are consistent with ongoing (but slow) migration of the nitrate/chloride plume. • EFRI notes that concentrations of indicator parameter fluoride show a decreasing trend and uranium displays a A Source Assessment Report which will include the EFR Plan discussed source investigation and statistical analysis, will be submitted to the Director within 90 days after approval of the EFR Plan. Based on review of the EFR Plan it appears that the planned activities are appropriate, and the EFR Plan is hereby approved. If you have any questions, please call Tom Rushing at (801) 536-0080. Sincerely, Phil Goble, Uranium Mills and Radioactive Materials Manager Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control PRG/TR/wa c: Grant Sunada, Health Director, San Juan Public Health Department Ronnie Nieves, Environmental Health Director, San Juan Public Health Department Russell Seeley, District Engineer, UDEQ stable trend. EFR additionally notes that although the indicator parameter sulfate is showing an increasing trend, the trend was previously identified before the 2008 University of Utah Study. The study subsequently found that there was no contribution of tailings waste water to the groundwater sampled at MW-11. • Per the EFR Plan, the source assessment study for manganese and sulfate in MW-11 will include an assessment of the potential sources for each exceedance to determine whether the exceedance is due to background influences or Mill activities.