DRC-2019-010023 - 0901a06880afa249

DRC-2019-010023 195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144880 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone] • T.D.D. [phone] www.deq.utah.gov Printed on 100% recycled paper
State of Utah
GARY R. HERBERT Governor SPENCER J. COX
Lieutenant Governor
Department of
Environmental Quality
L. Scott Baird Interim Executive Director DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RADIATION CONTROL Ty L. Howard Director
September 4, 2019
Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd., Suite 600 Lakewood, CO 80228
RE: Compliance Evaluation Inspection: Radioactive Material License Number UT 1900479 Dear Ms. Weinel:
On August 26 and 27, 2019, an inspection was conducted at your facility by Ryan Johnson and Phil Goble representatives of the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. Observations from the inspection were discussed at the closeout
meeting with White Mesa Uranium Mill staff. The inspection was an examination of the activities conducted at your facility as they relate to compliance with the Utah Radiation Control Rules, the license conditions of the RML No. UT1900479 and Federal Regulations. The inspection consisted of an examination of representative records, interviews of personnel, and observations by the inspector.
Enclosed is the inspection report regarding this inspection for your review. The DWMRC considers this inspection closed. The DWMRC would like to thank the Mill staff for their cooperation regarding this inspection. If you have any questions concerning this letter please contact Mr. Ryan Johnson by phone at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,

Phil Goble, Uranium Mills and Radioactive Materials Manager Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control PRG/RMJ/kb
c: Kirk Benge, Health Officer, San Juan Public Health Department Rick Meyer, Environmental Health Director, San Juan Public Health Department Scott Hacking, P.E., DEQ District Engineer
INSPECTION REPORT
Inspection Module: ~MOD-SEM/ENVIRO: Environmental Monitoring
Inspection Location: Energy Fuels Resources Inc. -White Mesa Uraniwn Mill, Blanding Utah.
Inspection Items: Environmental Soil Sampling and Air Monitoring
Inspection Dates: August 26 & 27, 2019
Inspector: Ryan Johnson, Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
(DWMRC)
Personnel Contacted: Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician)
Dean Lyman (Environmental Technician
Garrin Palmer (Radiation Safety Technician)
Governing Documents:
• UAC R313-15
• Radioactive Materials License (RML) UT1900479
• Applicable Mill procedures and manuals
Opening Meeting
Energy Fuels Resources:
Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician)
Dean Lyman (Environmental Technician
Garrin Palmer (Radiation Safety Technician)
UtahDWMRC:
Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector)
Phil Goble (Manager U-Mill/RAM Section)
During the opening meeting, the inspectors discussed the inspection items for the inspection. The Mill was
recovering vanadium during the inspection. The Mill staff reminded the inspector of the safety
requirements for the Mill.
DWMRC Meters Used Model Serial Number Calibration Due Date
Dose Rate Ludlum 19 101673 5-13-2020
Inspection Summary
The inspection consisted of observing Mill personnel collecting soil and air environmental monitoring
samples. The following discussion provides more detail of the specific items.
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Item 1. Air Monitoring:
Observations: Air Monitoring observations: The Inspector observed an environmental technician from the
Mill collect two filters from high-volume air monitoring stations (BHV-4 and BHV-5). The following
activities were observed:
• The old filter was removed, folded into fourths to keep the collected material on the filter. The
filter was placed into a folder with the end date and times recorded on it;
• The airflow of the pump was checked with a manometer and an orifice plate. The pumps were
adjusted to the appropriate air flow;
• A new filter placed at each air monitoring station with start times and date recorded;
• The air flow for each air monitoring station, the start and end dates and times are recorded on the
Monthly Calibration and Weekly Flow Check Worksheet;
• The air filters were taken back to office where they were weighed; and
• The air filters are stored until they are sent to a Utah Certified laboratory for analysis.
Note: Each air filter is the approximate size of a sheet of an 8 x 11 inch paper
Deficiencies: None
Item 2. Soil Sampling: The main purpose of this inspection was to observe the collection of soil samples.
Observations: During this inspection the Mill collected soil samples at each air monitoring (BVH-1
through BVH-8). The following activities were observed:
• Each soil sample was collected by
o Marking a 12 inch square on the ground;
o Removing the soil within the square approximately 2 inches deep;
o Approximately one gallon of soil is placed in a large Ziploc type plastic bag; and
o Each bag is marked with the sample location, the date and time of collection.
Deficiencies: None
Item 3. Radon and Gamma Monitoring:
Observations: While observing air monitoring and soil sampling, the inspector was able to confirm that
Radon and Gamma monitoring was being done at all of the air monitoring locations. The following was
observed:
• TLDs were used for gamma monitoring;
• Each TLD was approximately one meter off the ground;
• Rad trackers were used for radon monitoring; and
• The Rad trackers were also positioned approximately one meter off the ground.
Deficiencies: None
Item 2. Mill Tour: The Inspector walked through the restricted area on a general site tour. The tour
included the ore pad, mill, solvent extraction building and each of the BHV stations.
Observations: The DWMRC inspector also observed:
• OSL badges were appropriately being used by all observed employees at the Mill; and
• Observed employees scanned themselves out of the restricted area.
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b R d" 1 . 1 d" a 10 og1ca rea mgs o serv unng 1 tour ed d . M"ll
Location Dose Rate (µR/hr)
Ore Pad 50
Product Storage Yard 100-200
BHV-01 10
BHV-02 9
BHV-03 8
BHV-04 10
BHV-05 10
BHV-06 8
BHV-07 10
BHV-08 8
While collecting soils samples at BHV-01, the Inspector also looked at the White Mesa Uranium Mill's
metrological station and was able to confirm the following information is being collected:
• Wind Speed;
• Wind Direction;
• Temperature;
• Barometric Pressure; and
• Precipitatibn. (The rain gauge is located north of the Administration building)
Deficiencies: None
Closeout Meeting
Energy Fuels:
Logan Shumway (Mill Manager)
Terry Slade (Site Radiation Safety Officer)
Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician)
Dean Lyman (Environmental Technician)
Garrin Palmer (Radiation Safety Technician)
UtahDWMRC:
Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector)
Recommendations
None
Follow-up for Next Inspection
1. The Inspector was unable to observe vegetation sampling and stack sampling. Vegetation sampling
is done during the 2nd and 4th quarters of each year and Stack sampling is done once a¼ when the
dryers are being used. Neither of these sampling events were scheduled at the time of the
inspection. The Inspector will try to observe both in future inspections.
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Prepared By:
Reviewed By:
Ryan Johnson
(Print Name)
Phil Goble
(Print Name)
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