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Home My WebLink AboutDRC-2012-001958 - 0901a0688030af22State of Utah GARY R HERBERT Governor GREG BELL Lieutenant Governor DRC-2012-00l95d Department of Environmental Quality Amanda Smith Executive Director DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL Rusty Lundberg Director MEMORANDUM TO File THROUGH Phil Goble, Compliance Section Manger /5€ ^ ^/^^y/zcP/-x^ Tom Rushing, P G September 10,2012 \jtZ ^/d/l^ FROM DATE SUBJECT Utah Division of Radiation Control Inspection of the Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc Core Inspection and Sample Collection, regarding the pH Study, for Monitonng Wells MW-23, MW-24, MW-28, MW-29 and MW-3A Summary: Utah Division of Radiation Control (DRC) staff (Tom Rushing) met with Hydro Geo Chem (HGC) Representative (Stewart Smith) dunng the moming of Tuesday, August 14, 2012 to observe the analysis of core samples and cuttings and collection of samples for the analysis of iron pynte Specifically, it was DRC intention dunng this inspection to • Observe the cores available for sample collection at the subject monitonng locations • Observe the screening process for core collection • Observe the calibration and use of the X-Ray Fluorescence Metal Analyzer (XRF) Gun for on-site environmental metals analysis of core and cuttings samples • Observe the collection and logging of the cores • Clanfy laboratory analysis of the cores and cuttings Core Investigation: In relation to the preliminary screening of the cores and cuttings, DRC observed the following practices to determine which intervals were considered most representative • Interval - initially all core boxes or bagged cuttings sample boxes were pulled fi'om the onsite core storage area, cargo boxes located west of the Mill office, and organized so that the evaluation concentrated on core and cuttings within the vertical screened interval ofthe conesponding monitonng well • Color - The core and cuttings samples were screened based on the color, core and cuttings 195 North 1950 West • Sah Lake City, UT Mailing Address P O Box 144850 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4850 Telephone (801) 536-4250 • Fax (801) 533-4097 'TDD (801) 536-4414 www deq Utah gov Printed on 100% recycled paper Page 2 which were green/grey and grey were pnontized for fiirther evaluation • Odor - It was noted that some intervals of core had an ammonia like smell which indicated a reducing environment, these intervals were pnontized for collection • Appearance - Some intervals of core had yellowish or black flecking which were potentially pynte, and/or carbonaceous matenal and those intervals were pnontized based on a possible reducing environment dunng deposition and more likelihood of higher pynte concentrations • On Site metals analysis - The XRF gun was used on pnonty sample intervals to determine the concentration of iron in the core or cuttings sample It was noted dunng the investigation that the XRF gun did not have the capability to measure sulfur in the samples and readings could not distinguish between iron oxide and iron sulfide (or other iron minerals) Per results of the screening, the HGC determined core intervals which were thought to have a greater potential of higher pynte concentrations XRF Gun Screening: Per DRC observations the following was noted • The XRF Gun which was used onsite was rented fi-om Geotech and was the Innov-X Alpha Senes with the capability to measure iron m the core and cuttings samples (parts per million) DRC notes that it was HGC's understanding fi-om Geotech that the XRF Gun could also measure sulfiir, however, a calibration standard was not included for sulftir and upon follow-up with the company the XRF gun did not have that capability • The XRF Gun source was an X-ray tube W anode, 10-40 kV up to 5 selectable filters • HGC representatives calibrated the XRF Gun using the supplied source for iron • HGC representatives shot readings for all pnontized core intervals and compared the readings • The highest reading noted was 9,770 ppm (monitonng well core MW-24 • Readings generally ranged between 200 ppm to 3,000 ppm Sample Collection: * Per the results of the screening, HGC collected samples at the intervals showing the highest likelihood of pynte concentrations, the following samples were observed Monitonng Well Location Collection Interval Type of Sample MW-23 108' BGS Core MW-24 118 5'BGS Core MW-28 88 5' BGS Core MW-29 102'-103'BGS Cuttings MW-3A 89 5' BGS Core Samples were placed into ziploc bags and labeled accordingly Page 3 Laboratory Analysis: It was noted per discussion with HGC that the laboratory to be used for pynte analysis had changed since finalization of the 4/13/2012 work plan in groundwater monitonng wells DRC notes that the laboratory to be used was not included in the approved work plan Samples will be sent to a lab for visual examination and quantification of pynte through the creation of sample thm sections per methodologies outlined in the Stipulated Consent Agreement, Docket No UGW12-03 Conclusions: Per DRC review of the core collection methods, it was noted that cores required by Stipulated Consent Agreement, Docket No UGW 12-03, screening, collection, labeling and photographing appeared to be consistent with the approved work plan Attachments: Attachment 1 - Photographs Taken Dunng the August 14, 2012 Inspection Attachment 2 - Geotech Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Metal Analyzer Fact Sheet Attachment 1 Utah Division of Radiation Control Inspection White Mesa Uranium Mill August 14, 2012 Core Inspection and Sample Collection for pH Study Photo 1 - Example of intact core sample Photo 2 - Example of HGC Representative using the XRF Gun 195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144850 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4850 Telephone (801) 536-4250 • Fax (801) 533-4097 • T.D.D. (801) 536-4414 www.deq. ulah.gov Printed on 100% recycled paper Page 5 Photo 3 - Example of bagged cuttings sample (MW-29) iiifMtiiiiiMwmm mmmmmmmmmm\ Photo 4 - MW-23 Final Bagged Sample (108' BGS) and Core Box Page 6 Photo 5 - Final Bagged Core Sample MW-24 (118.5' BGS) and Core Box Photo 6 - Final Bagged Sample MW-28 (88.5' BGS) and Core Box Page 7 Photo 8 - Final Samples for all collected during inspection (MW-29, MW-28, MW-24, MW-23, MW-3A) Rental - Innov-X Alpha Series XRF Innov-X A/pna o^i.- a miniature, rugged X-rav tubejhe ^'P^^;^^„3«ngs, etc. Mf lead in surface ^'P^^f "^ soil sample types. FEATURES „n Grand other metaU. Light . superior ^^^^^"111^^)%^^^ P. S. ^ « and Analysis Program xRF data modeling. k.^nred and universal r. . -rnvidi Element Superior — p Ap\ ana yzes r, v.. - . Compare spectra wi versus standards. parameters or models. . Stored tests can be re-n.n -«^^ -Data Security: stored m binary Weight Excitation Source LEAP Detector Operation Power Battery Life Nun*er of Elements Standard Elements Oiaptay Screen SPECIFICATIONS ., »«11 6 kg) wlih batteries. 2.625 ms, (base wt) 3.375 ^^J^'^J' 5 ..Actable filters. X.«y tube. W anode. IWO ..^^ents Cr. Cl, P. Ba. T,, S, Ca^K^ ^^.^ oiindusM^-^-rH::^^^^^^^ , Trigger or Start/Stop '"^""^"^ .^^^ P^^'^ analyzer and .PAU s. LWon batteries, rechargeable (charger n ^^^^ 8 hours (typ^al duty cycle) us,r,gbu.tt- n. option Standard pac^ge-ludes^^ Pb, Cr. Hg. Cd. Sb ^'-^-'^ ^ brightness provides easy v«'"J software Color.h.ghreso.ut.Hto^aeaV^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ta Display Concentrations in ppm. spectra. peaK ,,00 000 with optionalt Gb flash card, rnodeselected. . ^^^,^^^^,^«,,p9radeto> — (800) 833-7958 Geotech Environmental ^<^f^;;^^^-^Q20?> 2650 East 40th Avenue;^^^^^^^^^^^