HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2019-008358 - 0901a06880ad3a23Div of Waste Management
and Radiation Control
August 1, 2019
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
225 Union Blvd. Suite 600
Lakewood, CO, US, 80228
303 974 2140
www.energyfuels.com
AUG 0 2 2019
DRC-2.019-00635
ENERGY FUELS
Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY
Mr. Ty L. Howard
Director
Division of Waste Managernent 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 Q2-19 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 2019. This report is being provided to DWMRC for inforrnation only, as submittal of this
report is not a requirement of the SCA since the official test section monitoring time period has not yet
started. 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 truly,
ENER Y FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
Kathy Weinel
Quality Assurance Manager
CC: David C. Frydenlund
Terry Slade
Logan Shumway
Scott Bakken
Paul Goranson
August 1, 2019
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
Re: Transmittal of Q2-19 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 2019. This report is being provided to DWMRC for information only, as submittal of this
report is not a requirement of the SCA since the official test section monitoring time period has not yet
started. 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 truly,
Yv~
b;UELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
Kathy Weinel
Quality Assurance Manager
CC: David C. Frydenlund
Terry Slade
Logan Shumway
Scott Bakken
Paul Goranson
Q2-19 DATA QUALITY REPORT FOR THE
PRIMARY TEST SECTION
WHITE MESA MILL – TAILINGS MANAGEMENT
CELL 2
ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH
18 July 2019
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 2019 (Q2-19). 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-style” drainage lysimeter is used to monitor the test section. The lysimeter is
equipped to monitor all water balance components along with 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 1/3 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 the 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, and 27 June 2018.
2.0 WATER BALANCE DATA
Data in this DQR were collected during Q2-19 from 24 March 2019 to 24 June 2019. These
dates align with automated data downloads and do not correspond precisely to the start
and end of Q2-19. Data for 25 June 2019 and onward will be included in the Q3-19 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 Q2-19. The
quality assurance summary is on pp. 7-8.
The site received substantial precipitation in Q2-19, primarily as rain. However,
precipitation during Q2-19 had little impact on water redistribution in the cover or water
fluxes from the cover. Elevated water contents from infiltration of snow melt in the upper
1 m of the cover in Q1-19 diminished during Q2-19 (Figs. 13-15), as water was removed
from the cover via evapotranspiration. At depths greater than 1 m below ground surface
(bgs), the water contents remained relatively constant. A very small amount of runoff was
measured (Fig 23). No lateral flow or percolation was recorded (Figs. 26, 29).
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. Water contents reported by these probes will continue to be compared during
future quality control activities.
4.0 ACTION ITEMS
Continue comparison of water content Probes 1 and 2 and Probes 3 and 4.
3
Fig. 1. Schematic of cover profile evaluated at White Mesa.
4
Fig. 2. Schematic of lysimeter used for the White Mesa Primary Test Section.
5
Table 1. Water balance quantities for the final cover test section at White Mesa from
09/29/16 to 06/24/19.
Calendar
Year
Water Balance Quantities (mm)
Precipitation Runoff Lateral
Flow ET
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 225.6 0.24 0.00 262.1 -35.4 0.03
*Flows not measured from 7 February 2017 to 25 March 2017 due to vault flooding.
6
0
200
400
600
800
0
200
400
600
800
9/20/16 3/7/17 8/23/17 2/8/18 7/27/18 1/12/19 6/30/19
White Mesa, UT
Soil Water
Storage
On-Site
Precipitation
On-Site ET
Surface
RunoffPercolation
NWS ET
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
R
u
n
o
f
f
,
L
a
t
e
r
a
l
F
l
o
w
,
an
d
P
e
r
c
o
l
a
t
i
o
n
(
m
m
)
Cu
m
u
l
a
t
i
v
e
P
r
e
c
i
p
i
t
a
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
E
v
a
p
o
t
r
a
n
s
p
i
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
m
m
)
Fig. 3. Water balance quantities for the final cover test section at White Mesa from
09/29/16 to 06/24/19.
7
DATA QUALITY REPORT SUMMARY: Q2-19
White Mesa Primary Test Section
03/24/19 through 06/24/19
Water Balance Summary
Table 1 summarizes the water balance of the test section since inception.
Fig. 3 is the water balance graph for the test section since inception.
Fig. 4 is a graph 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).
NWS precipitation data from the nearby Kane Gulch-Blanding (23WSW) station were
used for the May and June 2019 data instead of data from the central Blanding station
(KBDG, 37.62° N, 109.47° W, Elev.: 6001 ft). NWS data from the central Blanding
station were unavailable during that period because the National Climatic Data Center
was upgrading its website.
The on-site precipitation data are consistent with, but slightly less than, the NWS data
recorded during Q2-19 (Fig. 7). Most of the difference between the on-site and NWS
precipitation occurred during two large storms, one in late April and the other in late
May.
The 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 0.2 are reported by Probes 3 and 4 in
the compacted layer at 2134 mm bgs (Fig. 18). Differences in water content of
approximately 0.1 are reported by Probes 1 and 2 in the interim layer at 2743 mm bgs
(Fig. 19). These differences in water content reflect spatial variations in water content
remaining from the deep penetration of a wetting front in Q1-17.
The thermocouples used to measure soil temperature are functioning properly (Fig. 20).
8
Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for runoff, lateral flow, and percolation
are reasonably consistent (Figs. 21-29).
The vault stage has been negative, ranging from -2.0 to -3.0 mm, indicating no
accumulation of water in the vault (Fig. 30).
The voltage sensor that monitors the power supply in the vault is functioning properly
(Fig. 31). No line power loss occurred during Q2-19.
9
0
10
20
30
40
50
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
9/20/16 3/7/17 8/23/17 2/8/18 7/27/18 1/12/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 4. Daily precipitation (blue) and cumulative percolation (red) for the final cover test
section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 06/24/19.
10
11
12
13
14
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 7/1/19
Ba
t
t
e
r
y
(
V
o
l
t
s
)
Fig. 5. Battery voltage for the datalogger at the final cover test section at White Mesa
from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
10
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19-0.
5
10
15
Da
i
l
y
P
r
e
c
i
p
i
t
a
t
i
o
n
(
m
m
)
0
Fig. 6. Daily precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to
06/24/19.
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/190
20
40
60
80
100
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
Blanding
Fig. 7. Cumulative precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and
the NWS stations in Blanding (red) from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
11
0
10
20
30
40
0 10 20 30 40
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)
Fig. 8. Precipitation measured from tipper and Geonor precipitation gauge at the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 06/24/19.
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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)
Fig. 9. Daily air temperature at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19
to 06/24/19.
12
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
(
%
)
Fig. 10. Daily relative humidity at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19
to 06/24/19.
0
2
4
6
8
10
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
Da
i
l
y
M
e
a
n
W
i
n
d
S
p
e
e
d
(
m
/
s
)
Fig. 11. Daily mean wind speed at the final cover test section at White Mesa from
03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
13
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
So
l
a
r
R
a
d
i
a
t
i
o
n
(
W
-
h
r
/
m
2
)
White Mesa
Blanding
Fig. 12 Total daily solar radiation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and
NWS Blanding station (red) from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/9/19 4/29/19 5/20/19 6/9/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 13. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (457 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.
14
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 14. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (685 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
Fig.15. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (914 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.
15
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 16. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1524 mm bgs) of the final cover
test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered probe is
downslope and even is upslope.
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 17. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1829 mm bgs) of the final cover
test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered probe is
downslope and even is upslope.
16
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 18. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (2134 mm bgs) of the final cover
test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered probe is
downslope and even is upslope.
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
Fig. 19. Volumetric water content in the interim layer (2743 mm bgs) of the final cover
test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19. Odd numbered probe is
downslope and even is upslope.
17
.
-10
0
10
20
30
40
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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 (D)
Fig. 20. Soil temperature in the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to
06/24/19 (sensor depths in mm bgs in legend, D = downslope; U = upslope).
0
1
2
3
4
5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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)
Fig. 21. Cumulative tips from tipper in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
18
0
100
200
300
400
500
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
)
Fig. 22. Pressure transducer stage in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
White Mesa, UT
Cu
m
u
l
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
Fig. 23. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from the tipper for the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
19
0
1
2
3
4
5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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)
Fig. 24. Cumulative tips from tipper in the lateral flow basin for the final cover test section
at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
0
100
200
300
400
500
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
)
Fig. 25. Pressure transducer stage in lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
20
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
White Mesa, UT
Cu
m
u
l
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
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 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
0
1
2
3
4
5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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)
Fig. 27. Cumulative tips from the tipper in the drainage basin for the final cover test
section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
21
0
200
400
600
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
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
)
Fig. 28. Pressure transducer stage in drainage basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
White Mesa, UT
Cu
m
u
l
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)
Fig. 29. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tippers in drainage
basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
22
-4.0
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
White Mesa, UT
Va
u
l
t
S
t
a
g
e
(
m
m
)
Fig. 30. Vault stage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from
03/24/19 to 06/24/19.
100
120
140
160
180
200
3/20/19 4/6/19 4/23/19 5/10/19 5/27/19 6/13/19 6/30/19
White Mesa, UT
Va
u
l
t
V
o
l
t
a
g
e
(
v
o
l
t
)
Fig. 31. Vault voltage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from
03/24/19 to 06/24/19.