DRC-2021-007043 - 0901a06880e96000

Inspection Module:
Inspection Location:
Inspection Items:
Inspection Dates:
Inspectors:
INSPECTION REPORT DRC-2o2f- 00 704-3
RADMOD-IM: Internal Monitoring
Energy Fuels - White Mesa Uranium Mill, Blanding Utah.
Occupational Air Sampling and Bioassay Monitoring
April 6, 2021
Ryan Johnson, Utah Division Waste Management and Radiation Control
(DWMRC)
Lany Kellum, DWMRC
Phil Goble, DWMRC
Personnel Contacted:
Terry Slade, Energy Fuels Resources Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
Garrin Palmer, Radiation Safety Technician (RST)
Justin Perkins, RST
David Lacy, Laboratory Technician
Steve Snyder, Site Engineer
Tanner Halladay, Environmental Technician
Dean Lyman, Environmental Technician
Governing Documents:
• UAC R313-15
• Radioactive Materials License (RML) UT1900479
• Applicable Mill procedures and manuals
Opening Meeting
Energy Fuels Resources:
Teny Slade (RSO)
Utah DWMRC:
Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector)
Larry Kellum (Health Physics Inspector)
Phil Goble (U-Mill/RAM Section Manager)
During the opening meeting, the inspector discussed the inspection items and documentation to be reviewed
during the inspection. The Mill is processing calcine alternate feed. The Mill staff reminded the inspector
of the safety requirements for the Mill.
DRC Meters Used Model Serial Number Calibration Due Date
Dose Rate Bicron 9048 6/1/2021
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Inspection Summary
The inspection consisted of a RSO interview, reviewing applicable documentation and a mill tour. The
following discussion provides more detail of the specific items reviewed.
Item 1. Documentation Review: The Inspector reviewed applicable documentation.
Observations: The DWMRC inspector reviewed the following documents:
• Calibration sheets for general area and breathing zone sample pumps;
• General area air sampling worksheets;
• Breathing zone sampling worksheets; and
• Bioassay analytical results and chain of custody forms.
While reviewing the paperwork for breathing zone sampling, the inspector noticed that the derived air
concentration (DAC) values being recorded were lower than in previous years. The DAC values observed
in 2020 ranged between 0 and 10,000% DAC. These DAC values are higher than last year but lower than
years when the Mill is processing ore. The Mill has not processed a lot of ore (natural and alternate feed) in
2020. The Mill has been preparing to accept uranium ore from the State of Georgia that they will also
recover rare earth minerals from. Processing this ore for the rare earth mineral component requires the Mill
to make some modifications to their process (i.e. adding heating coils and centrifuges).
The work (i.e. cleaning out tanks) at the Mill has been done under Radiation Work Permits (RWPs) or
according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The inspector verified that:
• Respirator protection was being used by the mill personnel performing the work;
• Bioassay samples were being collected from the mill personnel performing the work;
• Bioassay results indicated that the mill personnel were not inhaling uranium; and
• Bioassay sampling and analysis standard operating procedure (SOP) was being followed.
The Mill analyzes its bioassay samples in its own lab. While reviewing the paperwork for the bioassay
results the inspector noticed that only one or two bioassay samples were above the Mill's action level in
2020. Most samples were non-detect during this time. The Inspector interviewed the Laboratory
Technician that analyzes the bioassay samples. In that interview the Inspector verified:
• The Laboratory follows a procedure that uses ANSI/HPS N1330-2011 Performance Criteria for
Radiobioassay as a guide (which is referenced in NRC Regulatory Guide 8.22 Bioassay at Uranium
Mills);
• Results are reviewed by the Laboratory Technician and given to the RSO;
• 25% of the samples are sent to an offsite laboratory as a quality control check; and
• The sample preparation area is regularly surveyed for Alpha to prevent contamination of the
samples.
Deficiencies: None
Item 2. Mill Tour: The Inspectors walked through the restricted area on a general site tour. The tour
included the ore pad, the mill, the alternate feed circuit, solvent extraction building and the lab.
Observations: The DWMRC inspector also observed:
• Ore and Alternate feed material being stored on the ore pad. While looking at the area where the
ore from Georgia was being stored radiation reading were between 2 to 3 mrem/hr. The Inspector
discussed with the RSO, when more of the Georgia ore is onsite, that area may have to be posted as
a radiation area;
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• OSL badges were appropriately being used by all observed employees at the Mill; and
• Changes to the Mill. During the walk through the Mill and observing the new hopper that the
Georgia ore will be dumped into, it was observed that radiation reading were between 2 to 3
mrem/hr. The Inspector discussed with the RSO, when more of the Georgia ore is being dumped
and processed, that the area may have to be posted as a radiation area.
Note: The native ore from the State of Georgia is a monzonite sand and it has higher thorium concentrations
than native ores from the Colorado Plateau and the Arizona Strip. That is why the radiation readings are
higher in the areas where the ore is being stored and processed. Proper postings of the Georgia ores storage
and processing areas will be followed up on in future inspections. The ores from Georgia are also being
stored in Super Saks and not in piles.
Radiolo ical readin s observed durin Mill tour.
Location Dose Rate (grem/hr)
Ore Pad 400
Georgia Ore 2,000 to 3,000
Mill 30 to 40
Georgia Ore Hopper 2,000 to 3,000
Yellowcake Storage Area 20
Solvent Extraction Building 20
Alternate Feed Circuit 20
Sample Prep Room 40
Deficiencies: None
Item 3. Vegetation Sampling: As a part of the RADMOD-SEM-ENVIRO inspection to be done in August
2021, the inspector observed the Mill's Environmental Technicians collect vegetation samples. Note:
Vegetation samples are collected three times a year; once in the Spring, once in early summer and once in
the Fall.
Observations: The DWMRC inspector observed:
• Collect vegetation from 2 of the 3 different areas vegetation sampling is collected on the Mill
property;
• Collected more than 3,000 grams of vegetation material from each area;
• The sampled material was placed in large plastic bag; and
• Each bag was marked with location, date and time of sampling.
Deficiencies: None
Item 4. Cover Test Pad: During the February 2021 inspection, Phil Goble asked the inspector to check
on a new test pad for the vegetation cover design. During this inspection, the inspectors followed
up with the supplemental cover test pad by going to the pad and observing its current condition.
The Inspector also discussed with the Site Engineer when the Mill planned on planting the test pad.
The Site Engineer said that they were planning on seeding the week of April 12th. The Inspector
said that the Division will continue to follow up in future inspections.
Deficiencies: None
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Closeout Meeting
Energy Fuels:
Logan Shumway (Mill Manager)
Terry Slade (RSO)
Garrin Palmer (RST)
Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician)
Utah DWMRC:
Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector)
Findings
None
Recommendations
None
Recommendation for Next Inspection
1. Follow up on radiological readings and posting requirments associated with storing and processing
the Georgia ore; and
2. Seeding the cover test pad.
Prepared By:
Reviewed By:
(
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(Signature) (Date
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