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Home My WebLink AboutDRC-2023-070716 - 0901a06881260682 1 of Page 4 U:\RAD\COMMON\Uranium mills\UT1900479 EnergyFuels Res - White Mesa UMill\HP Inspection modules\2023\2023 Inspection Reports\Inspection Report RADMOD-SEM-ENVIRO 8-14-2023.docx INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Module: RADMOD-SEM/ENVIRO: Environmental Monitoring Inspection Location: Energy Fuels Resources Inc. - White Mesa Uranium Mill, Blanding Utah. Inspection Items: Environmental Soil Sampling and Air Monitoring Inspection Dates: August 14, 2021 Inspector: Ryan Johnson, Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) Heather Mickelson, DWMRC Personnel Contacted: Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician) Deen Lyman (Environmental Technician) Garrin Palmer (Radiation Safety Officer(RSO)) Governing Documents: • UAC R313-15 • Radioactive Materials License (RML) UT1900479 • Applicable Mill procedures and manuals Opening Meeting Energy Fuels Resources: Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician) Garrin Palmer (RSO) Utah DWMRC: Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector) Heather Mickelson (Engineer) Brandi O’Brian, State of Wyoming, NRC IMPEP Team During the opening meeting, the inspectors discussed the inspection items for the inspection. The Mill staff reminded the inspector of the safety requirements for the Mill. The NRC is doing their IMPEP accompaniments during the inspection. Currently, the Mill is reconstructing part of their Solvent Extraction building and are not processing any ores at this time. DWMRC Meters Used Model Serial Number Calibration Due Date Dose Rate Bicron B789W 6/11/2024 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. 2 of Page 4 U:\RAD\COMMON\Uranium mills\UT1900479 EnergyFuels Res - White Mesa UMill\HP Inspection modules\2023\2023 Inspection Reports\Inspection Report RADMOD-SEM-ENVIRO 8-14-2023.docx Item 1. Air Monitoring: Observations: Air Monitoring observations: The Inspector observed an environmental technician from the Mill collect seven filters from high-volume air monitoring stations (BHV-1, BHV-2, BHV-4, BHV-5, BHV-6, BHV-7, and BHV-8). 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 was 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 Discussed with the Environmental Technician that some air monitoring stations fluctuation when the air monitoring stations where being started. It was determined that the fluctuations are not effecting the sample collection at this time because the fluctuations only lasted a few minutes. 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 (5 cm); 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 4. Vegetation and Radon Flux Sampling: The Inspector observed vegetation sampling on June 7, 2023. See the RADMOD-PEM 2023 inspection report for more information. 3 of Page 4 U:\RAD\COMMON\Uranium mills\UT1900479 EnergyFuels Res - White Mesa UMill\HP Inspection modules\2023\2023 Inspection Reports\Inspection Report RADMOD-SEM-ENVIRO 8-14-2023.docx Radon flux sampling was observed on April 5, 2023 during the RADMOD-RWP 2023 inspection. Item 5. Stack Sampling: The Mill’s dryers have not operated in 2023. Therefore, stack sampling has not occurred and has not been inspected. Item 6. Mill Tour: The Inspector walked through the restricted area on a general site tour. The tour included the ore pad, mill, solvent extraction building, tailing impoundments 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. Radiological readings observed during Mill tour Location Dose Rate (µR/hr) Ore Pad 50-150 Product Storage Yard 30-50 Solvent Extension 40 Mill 100-300 Silmet 1,000-7,000 Chemours 3,500-5,000 Control Room 40 Packaging Room 100 Tank #5 5,000 Tank #7 3,500 BHV-01 5 BHV-02 4 BHV-03 5 BHV-04 5 BHV-05 5 BHV-06 5 BHV-07 4 BHV-08 5 While collecting soils samples at BHV-01, the Inspector also looked at the White Mesa Uranium Mill’s metrological station and later reviewed the most recent meteorologic report. The Inspector was able to confirm the following information is being collected: • Wind Speed; • Wind Direction; • Temperature; • Barometric Pressure; and • Precipitation. (The rain gauge is located north of the Administration building) Deficiencies: None Item 7. Other: 11e.(2) Disposal The Inspectors observed 11e.(2) material from an ISR being placed into tailing impoundment #3. See Heather Mickelson’s inspection memo for details. 4 of Page 4 U:\RAD\COMMON\Uranium mills\UT1900479 EnergyFuels Res - White Mesa UMill\HP Inspection modules\2023\2023 Inspection Reports\Inspection Report RADMOD-SEM-ENVIRO 8-14-2023.docx Closeout Meeting Energy Fuels: Logan Shumway (Mill Manager) Tanner Holliday (Environmental Technician) Garrin Palmer (RSO) Utah DWMRC: Ryan Johnson (Health Physics Inspector) Heather Mickelson (Engineer) Brandi O’Brian, State of Wyoming, NRC IMPEP Team Recommendations None Follow-up for Next Inspection None Prepared By: Ryan Johnson 8/21/2023 (Print Name) (Signature) (Date) Reviewed By: Phil Goble 8/21/2023 (Print Name) (Signature) (Date)