DRC-2022-020209 - 0901a068810d0aa3

August 17, 2022
Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY
Mr. Doug Hansen
Director
Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
225 Union Blvd. Suite 600
Lakewood, CO, US, 80228
303 974 2140
www.cncrgyfuels.com
Re: Transmittal of Q2-22 Data Quality Report ("DQR") for the White Mesa Cell 2 Cover Test
Section Monitoring
Dear Mr. Hansen:
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 2022. 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,
</{d4A(&~
ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
Kathy W einel
Director, Regulatory Compliance
CC: David Frydenlund
Garrin Palmer
Logan Shumway
Scott Bakken
Div of Waste Management
and Radiation Control
AUG 19 2022
DRC-2022-020209
Q2-22 DATA QUALITY REPORT FOR THE
PRIMARY TEST SECTION
WHITE MESA MILL – TAILINGS MANAGEMENT
CELL 2
ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH
12 August 2022
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This data quality report (DQR) was prepared to document data quality assurance for the
White Mesa Mill cover performance monitoring test section (Primary Test Section) for
second quarter 2022 (Q2-22). 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 initially
calibrated in September 2016 and have been re-calibrated annually. The most recent
calibration was on 12 July 2022.
2.0 WATER BALANCE DATA
Data in this DQR were collected during Q2-22 from 24 March 2022 to 24 June 2022. These
dates align with automated data downloads and do not correspond precisely to the
conventional start and end of Q2-22. Data for 25 June 2022 and onward will be included
in the Q3-22 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. 5-32 show data from each sensor collected during Q2-22. The
quality assurance summary is on pg. 7.
Approximately 19 mm of precipitation was recorded in Q2-22, primarily from two storms
that occurred in late March and mid-June (Fig. 7). Total precipitation for 2022 is 33.5 mm
(Table 1). Infiltration from these storms was managed at the near surface, with no
noticeable effect on water content at depths greater than 457 mm bgs (Fig. 14-20). No
runoff (Fig. 24), lateral flow (Fig. 27), or percolation (Fig. 30) was transmitted in Q2-22.
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. Comparison of
water contents reported by these probes will continue during future quality control
activities.
4.0 RESOLVED ISSUES
•No issues in need of resolution were reported in the previous DQR (Q1-22).
5.0 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.
64ft
rosion Laver (0.5 ft)
--► I
Runoff
Berm
____________________________ Growth Medium(3.5ft) ____________________ _
Root Barrier
Sump
Percolation Pipe
Compacted
Subgrade
Compacted Cover (3.0 ft)
.. Interim Cover. (2.5. 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
06/24/22.
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 309.1 0.28 0.00 325.9 0.9 1.01
2020 130.4 0.04 0.00 175.6 -64.5 0.89
2021 223.4 0.19 0.00 242.4 -19.5 0.60
2022 33.5 0.01 0.00 43.9 -10.5 0.00
*damage from vault flooding precluded measuring flows from 7 February 2017 – 25 March
2017.

6

0
500
1000
1500
0
1
2
3
4
5
9/20/16 9/6/17 8/24/18 8/10/19 7/27/20 7/13/21 6/30/22
Soil Water
Storage
ET
Surface
RunoffPercolation
Lateral Flow
So
i
l

W
a
t
e
r

S
t
o
r
a
g
e
,

C
u
m
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a
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P
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,
an
d

C
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E
v
a
p
o
t
r
a
n
s
p
i
r
a
t
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n

(
m
m
)
Cu
m
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l
a
t
i
v
e

R
u
n
o
f
f
,

L
a
t
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r
a
l

F
l
o
w
,

a
n
d

P
e
r
c
o
l
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
m
)
Precipitation
White Mesa, UT

Fig. 3. Water balance quantities for the final cover test section at White Mesa from
09/29/16 to 06/24/22.

7

DATA QUALITY REPORT SUMMARY: Q2-22
White Mesa Primary Test Section
03/24/22 through 06/24/22

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. 6-13).
• 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. 8).
Independent precipitation measurements recorded by the Geonor gage and the
tipping bucket are in good agreement (Fig. 9).
• Solar radiation data are consistent with data recorded at the NWS Blanding station
(Fig. 13).

Test Section
• The WCR probes to measure water content are functioning properly (Figs. 14-20).
Differences in water content of approximately 0.12 are reported by Probes 3 and 4 in
the compacted layer at 2134 mm bgs (Fig. 19). Differences in water content of
approximately 0.10 are reported by Probes 1 and 2 in the interim layer at 2743 mm
bgs (Fig. 20). 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.
• The thermocouples used to measure soil temperature are functioning properly (Fig. 21).
• Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for runoff are reasonably consistent
(Figs. 22-24).
• Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for lateral flow are reasonably consistent
(Figs. 25-27).
• Flows reported by the transducer and tippers for percolation are reasonably
consistent (Figs. 28-30).

8

• The vault stage has been negative, indicating no accumulating water (Fig. 31).
• The voltage sensor that monitors the power supply in the vault is functioning properly
(Fig. 32). No loss of power was recorded in Q2-22.

9

0
10
20
30
40
50
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
9/20/16 9/6/17 8/24/18 8/10/19 7/27/20 7/13/21 6/30/22
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 06/24/22.

10
11
12
13
14
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.
\

10

3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
0
5
10
15
20
Da
i
l
y

P
r
e
c
i
p
i
t
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
m
)

Fig. 6. Daily precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22
to 06/24/22

3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/220
1000
2000
3000
Fr
e
q
u
e
n
c
y

o
f

G
e
o
n
o
r

P
r
e
c
i
p
i
t
a
t
i
o
n

g
a
u
g
e

(
H
z
)

Fig. 7. Frequency of Geonor precipitation gauge at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to
06/24/22. Frequency recorded by load cell is proportional to weight of liquid in
gauge and precipitation.

11

3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
0
10
20
30
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

Fig. 8. Cumulative precipitation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue) and
NWS Blanding station (red) from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

0
2
4
6
8
10
0 2 4 6 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)
Fig. 9. Precipitation from tipper and Geonor precipitation gauge at the final cover test
section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.
... ··· • ...... •··········/
• ...
.... /
.... ··•'
.... ···
.... ··· .... ····/
.... ·········
.... ··•

12

3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 10. Daily air temperature at the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22
to 06/24/22.

3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
Min RH
Avg. RH
Max RH
0
20
40
60
80
100
Da
i
l
y

R
e
l
a
t
i
v
e

H
u
m
i
d
i
t
y

(
%
)

Fig. 11. Daily relative humidity at the final cover test section at White Mesa from
03/24/22 to 06/24/22.
............................................................

13

0
2
4
6
8
10
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
Da
i
l
y

M
e
a
n

W
i
n
d

S
p
e
e
d

(
m
/
s
)

Fig. 12. Daily mean wind speed at the final cover test section at White Mesa from
03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
So
l
a
r

R
a
d
i
a
t
i
o
n

(
W
-
h
r
/
m
2)
White Mesa
Blanding

Fig. 13 Total daily solar radiation at the final cover test section at White Mesa (blue)
and NWS Blanding station (red) from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

14

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/9/22 4/29/22 5/20/22 6/9/22 6/30/22
White Mesa, UT
(457-mmm 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. 14. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (457 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 15. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (685 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.
I I

15

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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.16. Volumetric water content in the growth medium layer (914 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 17. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1524 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.

16

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 18. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (1829 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 19. Volumetric water content in the compacted layer (2134 mm bgs) of the final
cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered
probe is downslope and even is upslope.

17

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 20. Volumetric water content in the interim layer (2743 mm bgs) of the final cover
test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22. Odd numbered probe is
downslope and even is upslope.

-10
0
10
20
30
40
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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 (U)

Fig. 21. Soil temperature in the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to
06/24/22 (sensor depths in mm bgs in legend, D = downslope; U = upslope).

18

0
2
4
6
8
10
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 22. Cumulative tips from tipper in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

0
100
200
300
400
500
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 23. Pressure transducer stage in the runoff basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

19

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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

Fig. 24. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from the tipper in the runoff
basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

0
2
4
6
8
10
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 25. Cumulative tips from tipper in the lateral flow basin for the final cover test section
at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

20

0
100
200
300
400
500
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 26. Pressure transducer stage in lateral flow basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 05/24/22.

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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

Fig. 27. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tipper in lateral flow
basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

21

0
2
4
6
8
10
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 28. Cumulative tips from the tipper in the drainage basin for the final cover test
section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

0
100
200
300
400
500
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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. 29. Pressure transducer stage in drainage basin for the final cover test section at
White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

I I I I I
--
--
--
-I I -I I I I I

22

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
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 (1 L)

Fig. 30. Cumulative flow from pressure transducer stage and from tippers in drainage
basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to 06/24/22.

-15.0
-10.0
-5.0
0.0
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
White Mesa, UT
Va
u
l
t

S
t
a
g
e

(
m
m
)

Fig. 31. Vault stage for the final cover test section at White Mesa from 03/24/22 to
06/24/22.

....... ., ... ........ Mt ...... ----........__ ___ -
, ................. ·-------·-~--

23

100
120
140
160
180
200
3/20/22 4/6/22 4/23/22 5/10/22 5/27/22 6/13/22 6/30/22
White Mesa, UT
Va
u
l
t

V
o
l
t
a
g
e

(
v
o
l
t
)

Fig. 32. Vault voltage in the basin for the final cover test section at White Mesa from
03/24/22 to 06/24/22.
-11 It Ii