DRC-2020-018823 - 0901a06880d8d724

INSPECTION REPORT 00z3
Inspection Module: RADMOD-ALARA
Inspection Location: Energy Fuels - White Mesa Uranium Mill, Blanding Utah.
Inspection Items: 2019 Annual ALARA Report, Daily and Weekly Inspections and Monthly Reports
Inspection Dates: November 16 & 17, 2020
Inspector(s): Ryan Johnson, Utah Division Waste Management and Radiation Control
(DWMRC)
Personnel Contacted:
Terry Slade, Energy Fuels Resources Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
Garrin Palmer, Radiation Safety Technician (RST)
Governing Documents:
• UAC R313-15
• Radioactive Materials License (RML) UT1900479, License Condition 11.6
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulatory Guide 8.31
Opening Meeting
Energy Fuels Resources:
Garrin Palmer (RST)
Utah DWMRC:
Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector)
During the opening meeting, the inspector discussed the inspection items and documentation to be reviewed
during the inspection. The Mill staff reminded the inspectors of the safety requirements for the Mill. The
Mill is currently conducting pilot tests on monazite ore for uranium and rare earth mineral recovery.
DRC Meters Used Model Serial Number Calibration Due Date
Dose Rate Ludlum 19 101673 4/27/2021
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Inspection Summary
Item 1. Document Review- License Condition 11.6 of the Mill's RML requires the Mill to perform an
annual ALARA audit of the radiation safety program as per NRC Regulatory Guide 8.31. The 2019
ALARA Audit did not take place in April of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore the audit was
done remotely and at a later date in the year. The ALARA Report for 2019 was not available for review at
the time of the inspection and will have to be reviewed during an inspection in the 1st quarter of 2021. The
ALARA report is not required to be submitted to the DWMRC, therefore, it is only available to review by
DWMRC Staff at the Mill during onsite inspections.
Observations: The DWMRC inspector observed:
Daily and Weekly Inspections and Monthly Reports
• Several different people do daily inspection specific to their job function;
o Occupational Safety Staff Daily inspections documents housekeeping issues and postings
around the Mill;
o Operating Forman's Daily inspection documents maintenance issues and, if observed. any
radiation issues;
• The daily inspection forms are clear, concise and legible;
• The Inspector spot checked the daily inspection forms. Of the inspection forms reviewed by the
Inspector, no non-compliance issues were identified;
• The weekly inspections are done by the RSO (or designee) and someone from operations;
• The weekly inspection forms are clear, concise and legible;
• Weekly inspection forms mainly document housekeeping and maintenance issues around the Mill
and the inspection forms have initials and check marks next to the items identified indicating that
the issue had been taken care of;
• The Inspector spot checked the weekly inspection forms. Of the inspection forms reviewed by the
Inspector, no non-compliance issues were identified; and
• The Monthly reports adequately summarize the information from the daily and weekly inspections.
Deficiencies: None
Item 2. Mill Tour: The Inspector walked through the restricted area on a general site tour. The tour
included the ore pad and the mill.
Observations: The DWMRC inspector also observed:
• Alternate feed being stockpiled on the ore pad;
• OSL badges were appropriately being used by all observed employees at the Mill;
• OSL badges are properly being stored; and
• Mill personnel were wearing appropriate PPE.
Radiolo ical readin s observed durin Mill tour
Location Dose Rate (µR/hr)
Yellowcake Storage Yard 70
Ore Pad 200-1,000
Alternate Feed Circuit 150
During the Mill Tour the Inspector was able to confirm that the Posting of Notices to Workers as required
by R313-18-11 are on the bulletin board in the break room of the administration building. This included:
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Utah DWMRC:
Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector)
Findino
None
Recommendations
None
Recommendation for Next Inspection
None
Prepared By:
Reviewed By:
/M-2c•20
(Signature)
(Date)
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(Date
• The DWMRC-04 form: and
• A memo indicating where the following documents can be found:
o State of Utah rules R313-15 and R313-18;
o Copies of EFRI' s current radioactive material license; and
o EFRI operating procedures; and
o Notices of Violation issued by DWMRC to EFRI.
Deficiencies: The Notice of Violation that was issued in October of 2020 was not in the bulletin board
when the inspection began. However, the Inspector discussed the requirement with the RSO and Radiation
Safety Staff and the NOV was posted before the inspection was completed.
Item 2. Follow-up Item:
During the Inspection conducted in October of 2020, a deficiency was identified an NOV was issued by the
Division for not documenting radiological release surveys. During this inspection, the Inspector reviewed
the radiological release surveys since the last inspection and confirmed that the corrective actions taken by
the Mill have been implemented and surveys had been properly documented.
Deficiencies: There were blank survey sheets because no surveys were conducted on the day documented
on the form. The RSO explained that there were no truck release surveys conducted on those days. The
inspector recommended to the RSO to write on the blank forms that no trucks were surveyed to explain why
the form was blank.
Closeout Meeting
Energy Fuels:
Terry Slade (RSO)
Garrin Palmer (RST)
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