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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2019-013124 - 0901a06880b4c73eEnergy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd. Suite 600 Lakewood, CO, US, 80228 303 974 2140 www.energyfuels.com ENERGYFUELS Div of Waste Management and Radiation Control OCT 2 4 2019 October 23, 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 D Rc-2019- 013 1211- Re: Transmittal of Q3-19 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 third 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 ly, ; ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David C. Frydenlund Terry Slade Logan Shumway Scott Bakken Paul Goranson eitty October 23, 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 www.energyfuels.com Re: Transmittal of Q3-19 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 third 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. ;;::~/fr~ ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David C. Frydenlund Terry Slade Logan Shumway Scott Bakken Paul Goranson Q3-19 DATA QUALITY REPORT FOR THE PRIMARY TEST SECTION WHITE MESA MILL – TAILINGS MANAGEMENT CELL 2 ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC. SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH 16 October 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 third quarter 2019 (Q3-19). 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” drainage lysimeter monitors 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, 27 June 2018, and 11 September 2019. 2.0 WATER BALANCE DATA Data in this DQR were collected during Q3-19 from 24 June 2019 to 22 September 2019. These dates align with automated data downloads and do not correspond precisely to the start and end of Q3-19. Data for 23 September 2019 and onward will be included in the Q4-19 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 Q3-19. The quality assurance summary is on pp. 7-8. Approximately 15 mm of precipitation was received as rain in Q3-19. Total precipitation in 2019 (240 mm) is the highest annual precipitation recorded since monitoring began in 2016 (Table 1). Most of the Q3-19 precipitation was quickly returned to the atmosphere as evapotranspiration. A very small fraction was shed as runoff (less than 0.02 mm). No deep penetration into the cover prolife occurred, and water contents in the upper meter of the cover remained steady or diminished due to evapotranspiration. 2 No lateral flow was recorded (Fig. 26) in Q3-19. Percolation was transmitted at a steady rate throughout most of Q3-19 (Fig. 4), and began to tail in September as the thermal gradient diminished (Fig. 20). 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. Water contents reported by these probes will continue to be compared during future quality control activities. • Line power to the vault was interrupted for a short period in mid-September due to the GFCI breaker being tripped. The red light sentry mounted on the cabinet at the weather station ceased emitting light, indicating that the power was interrupted. Site personnel observed that the sentry was not emitting light and reported that the line power was out. The GFCI breaker was reset during the calibration and maintenance activity on 11 September 2019. The vault pump was also tested when the breaker was reset, and functioned properly. No power loss to the datalogger occurred during that period, as the data acquisition system relies on battery power. Electrical service from the plant is only used as a backup for the datalogger, and to power the pump within the vault if water accumulates. 4.0 ACTION ITEMS • Continue comparing water content Probes 1 and 2 and Probes 3 and 4. • Request periodic surveillance by site personnel to confirm that line power to the vault is maintained as evinced by light emitted by the red light sentry mounted on the cabinet at the weather station. 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 09/22/19. 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 240.3 0.25 0.00 272.9 -34.8 0.75 *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 09/22/19. 0 200 400 600 800 0 200 400 600 800 9/20/16 3/23/17 9/23/17 3/26/18 9/26/18 3/29/19 9/30/19 White Mesa, UT Soil Water Storage On-Site Precipitation On-Site Evapotranspiration Surface RunoffPercolation NWS Evapotranspiration NWS Precipitation Lateral Flow Vault Flooded 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 ) 7 DATA QUALITY REPORT SUMMARY: Q3-19 White Mesa Primary Test Section 06/24/19 through 09/22/19 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 lower than the NWS data recorded at the Blanding station (KBDG, 37.62° N, 109.47° W, Elev.: 6001 ft) (Fig.7). However, independent precipitation measurements recorded by the Geonor gage and the tipping bucket are 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 0.2 are reported by Probes 3 and 4 in the compacted layer at 2134 mm bgs. Differences in water content of approximately 0.1 are reported by Probes 1 and 2 in the interim layer at 2743 mm bgs (Figs 18-19). These differences in water content are real and reflect spatial variations in water content that are remnant from the deep penetration of a wetting front in Q1-17. • The thermocouples used to measure soil temperature are functioning properly (Fig. 20). • 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 pump was tested on 11 September 2019 and functions properly. 8 • The voltage sensor that monitors the power supply in the vault is functioning properly (Fig. 31). An intermittent loss of line power occurred in early August. White Mesa personnel confirmed that there was a problem with the electrical service during that period. Another loss of line power occurred just prior to the calibration and maintenance activity on 11 September 2019. This line power loss was caused by the GFCI being tripped, and the sentry light on the datalogger cabinet showed the power was down. Line power to the vault was restored by re-setting the GFCI breaker. No power loss to the datalogger occurred during that period, as the data acquisition system relies on battery power. Electrical service from the plant is only used as a backup for the datalogger, and to power the pump within the vault if water accumulates. 9 Fig. 4. Daily precipitation (blue) and cumulative percolation (red) for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 09/29/16 to 09/22/19. Fig. 5. Battery voltage for the datalogger at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0 10 20 30 40 50 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 9/20/16 3/23/17 9/23/17 3/26/18 9/26/18 3/29/19 9/30/19 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 10 11 12 13 14 6/20/19 7/6/19 7/22/19 8/7/19 8/23/19 9/8/19 9/25/19 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 7. Cumulative precipitation measured at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and NWS Blanding station (red) from 06/24/19 to 09/22//19. 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19-0. 2 4 6 8 10 Da i l y P r e c i p i t a t i o n ( m m ) 0 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 0 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 Blanding 11 Fig. 8. Precipitation measured from tipper and Geonor precipitation gauge at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 9. Daily air temperature at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0 3 5 8 10 0 3 5 8 10 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) 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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) 12 Fig. 10. Daily relative humidity at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 11. Daily mean wind speed at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 ( % ) 0 2 4 6 8 10 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 13. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (457 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 6/20/19 7/10/19 7/30/19 8/20/19 9/9/19 9/30/19 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 13Probe 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 15 Fig. 16. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1524 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 16 Fig. 18. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (2134 mm bgs) of the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Odd numbered probe is downslope and even is upslope. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 17 . Fig. 20. Soil temperature in the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19 (sensor depths in mm bgs in legend, D = downslope; U = upslope). Fig. 21. Cumulative tips from tipper in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0 10 20 30 40 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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) 0 5 10 15 20 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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) Calibration 18 Fig. 22. Pressure transducer stage in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0 100 200 300 400 500 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 ) Calibration 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 19 Fig. 24. Cumulative tips from tipper in the lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 25. Pressure transducer stage in lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0 5 10 15 20 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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) Calibration 0 100 200 300 400 500 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 ) Calibration 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 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 27. Cumulative tips from the tipper in the drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 0 500 1000 1500 2000 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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) 21 Fig. 28. Pressure transducer stage in drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 29. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tippers in drainage basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. 0 200 400 600 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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 ) Calibration 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 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) 22 Fig. 30. Vault stage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. Fig. 31. Vault voltage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 06/24/19 to 09/22/19. -4.0 -3.0 -2.0 -1.0 0.0 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 White Mesa, UT Va u l t S t a g e ( m m ) 100 120 140 160 180 200 6/20/19 7/7/19 7/24/19 8/10/19 8/27/19 9/13/19 9/30/19 White Mesa, UT Va u l t V o l t a g e ( v o l t )