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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2020-015490 - 0901a06880d2a10aENERGY FUELS Div of Waste Management and Radiation Control AUG 2 6 2020 T42C-2020-015490 Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd. Suite 600 Lakewood, CO, US, 80228 303 974 2140 www.encrgyfueis.com August 24, 2020 Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY Mr. Ty L. Howard Director Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control Utah Department of Environmental Quality 195 North 1950 West P.O. Box 144880 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Re: Transmittal of Q2-20 Data Quality Report ("DQR") for the White Mesa Cell 2 Cover Test Section Monitoring Dear Mr. Howard: In accordance with the Stipulation and Consent Agreement ("SCA" dated February 23, 2017) between the Division of Waste Managernent and Radiation Control ("DWMRC") and Energy Fuels Resource (USA) Inc. ("EFR1"), 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 second quarter of 2020. 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 very trpty, 71<-ea: ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David Frydenlund Terry Slade Garrin Palmer Logan Shumway Scott Balcken August24,2020 Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY Mr. Ty L. Howard Director Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control Utah Department of Environmental Quality 195 North 1950 West P.O. Box 144880 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd. Suite 600 Lakewood, CO, US, 80228 303 974 2140 www.energyf'uels.com Re: Transmittal of Q2-20 Data Quality Report ("DQR") for the White Mesa Cell 2 Cover Test Section Monitoring Dear Mr. Howard: 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 second quarter of 2020. 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. ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David Frydenlund Terry Slade Garrin Palmer Logan Shumway Scott Balcken Q2-20 DATA QUALITY REPORT FOR THE PRIMARY TEST SECTION WHITE MESA MILL – TAILINGS MANAGEMENT CELL 2 ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH 19 August 2020 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 second quarter 2020 (Q2-20). 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 calibrated initially in September 2016, and re-calibrated on 10 May 2017, 14 November 2017, 27 June 2018, 11 September 2019, and 14 July 2020. 2.0 WATER BALANCE DATA Data in this DQR were collected during Q2-20 from 24 March 2020 to 24 June 2020. These dates align with automated data downloads and do not correspond precisely to the start and end of Q2-20. Data for 25 June 2020 and onward will be included in the Q3-20 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 Q2-20. The quality assurance summary is on pp. 7-8. Approximately 19 mm of precipitation was recorded in Q2-20, nearly all of which occurred during a large storm in early June. No runoff or lateral flow occurred (Figs. 21-26). Precipitation was stored in the cover profile and released by evapotranspiration (Fig. 3). Water contents within the upper 0.5 m varied modestly in response to the large event in June. Water contents remained nearly constant at greater depths (Figs. 13-19). Percolation initiated at the very end of June, most likely due to thermal gradients as in past years (Figs. 27). 2 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 and are diminishing slowly. Comparison of water contents reported by these probes will continue during future quality control activities. 4.0 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 = 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 06/24/20. 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 307.9 0.28 0.00 324.8 3.3 1.01 2020 64.9 0.02 0.00 95.7 -40.3 0.00 *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 06/24/20. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 0 1 2 3 4 5 9/20/16 5/7/17 12/23/17 8/10/18 3/28/19 11/13/19 6/30/20 Soil Water Storage On-Site ET Surface Runoff Percolation NWS Precipitation 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 ) On-Site Precipitation White Mesa, UT 7 DATA QUALITY REPORT SUMMARY: Q2-20 White Mesa Primary Test Section 03/24/20 through 06/24/20 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 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 also 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. These differences are diminishing slowly. A “NAN” (not a number) reading was recorded on 04/29/20 for all WCR probes (Figs. 13-19). • The thermocouples used to measure soil temperature are functioning properly. A “NAN” reading was recorded on 04/29/20 for all soil temperature probes (Fig. 20). • Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for runoff, lateral flow, and percolation are reasonably consistent (Figs. 21-29). A slight decreasing trend in stage in the runoff 8 basin was recorded by the pressure transducer (approximately 0.05 mm/month) (Fig. 22). This trend is likely due to thermal effects or evaporation. • 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). Intermittent power losses occurred in April, May, and June. Site personnel confirmed these losses were concurrent with brief power outages on site. 9 Fig. 4. Daily precipitation (blue) and cumulative percolation (red) for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 06/24/20. Fig. 5. Battery voltage for the datalogger at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 0 10 20 30 40 50 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 9/20/16 5/7/17 12/23/17 8/10/18 3/28/19 11/13/19 6/30/20 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 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20 Fig. 7. Cumulative precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and NWS Blanding station (red) from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20-1 5 10 15 20 Da i l y P r e c i p i t a t i o n ( m m ) 0 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/200 5 10 15 20 25 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 12/29/19 to 06/24/20. Fig. 9. Daily air temperature at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 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) 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 Min Air Temp Avg. Air Temp Max Air Temp -10 0 10 20 30 40 Da i l y A i r T e m p e r a t u r e ( oC) .... ···················/ ... ·· ,. // .... ···/ . ·· ·· -.. , ., .. , . ., .. , ·· . ., . ., . ., .. , . ., .. , . ., .. , .. , . ., .. , . ., .. , . ., .. , . ., .. , . ., .. ,,_____I ______.1 - 12 Fig. 10. Daily relative humidity at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Fig. 11. Daily mean wind speed at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Fig. 13. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (457 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 3/20/20 4/9/20 4/29/20 5/20/20 6/9/20 6/30/20 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 15 Fig. 16. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1524 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 \ 16 Fig. 18. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (2134 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 . Fi g . 20 . S o il t e m p e r a t u r e i n t h e fi n a l c o v e r t e s t s e c t i o n a t W h i t e M e s a f r o m 03 /2 4/ 2 0 to 06 /2 4 / 2 0 (s e n s o r d e p t h s i n m m b g s i n l e g e n d , D = d o w n s l o p e ; U = u p s l o p e ) . Fi g . 2 1 . Cu m u l a t i v e t i p s f r o m t i p p e r i n t h e r u n o f f b a s i n f o r t h e f i n a l c o v e r t e st s e c t i o n a t Wh i t e Me s a f r o m 0 3 /2 4 / 2 0 to 06 /2 4 / 2 0 . 0 10 20 30 40 3/ 2 0 / 2 0 4 / 6 / 2 0 4 / 2 3 / 2 0 5 / 1 0 / 2 0 5 / 2 7 / 2 0 6/ 1 3 / 2 0 6 / 3 0 / 2 0 Wh i t e M e s a , U T 27 4 3 m m D 27 4 3 m m U 21 3 4 m m D 21 3 4 m m U 18 2 9 m m D 18 2 9 m m U 15 2 4 m m D 15 2 4 m m U 91 4 m m D 91 4 m m U 68 5 m m D 68 5 m m U 45 7 m m D 45 7 m m U Soil Temperatue (oC) 27 4 3 m m ( D ) 45 7 m m ( U ) 0 2 4 6 8 10 3/ 2 0 / 2 0 4/ 6 / 2 0 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 5 / 1 0 / 2 0 5 / 2 7 / 2 0 6 / 1 3 / 2 0 6 / 3 0 / 2 0 Wh i t e M e s a , U T Cumulative Tips for Runoff Ti p p e r ( 1 L ) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 18 Fig. 22. Pressure transducer stage in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 ) 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Fig. 25. Pressure transducer stage in lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 0 1 2 3 4 5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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) 40 42 44 46 48 50 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 ) ........... l 4 e+=ewtt - 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 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Fig. 27. Cumulative tips from the tipper in the drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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) I I I I I -- -- -- -- -- 21 Fig. 28. Pressure transducer stage in drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Fig. 29. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tippers in drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. 0 200 400 600 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 D r a i n a g e ( m m ) 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 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 (1L) 22 Fig. 30. Vault stage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. Fig. 31. Vault voltage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/20 to 06/24/20. -5.0 -4.0 -3.0 -2.0 -1.0 0.0 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 White Mesa, UT Va u l t S t a g e ( m m ) 100 120 140 160 180 200 3/20/20 4/6/20 4/23/20 5/10/20 5/27/20 6/13/20 6/30/20 White Mesa, UT Va u l t V o l t a g e ( v o l t ) I I I I I ... - ... - ... - --. "' r I I I I I