The report on the investigation into PRI’s operation says “There are a number of major long-standing environmental concerns at this operation that demand immediate attention.” The violations include permit issues, reclamation, “an inordinate number of spills, leaks and other releases,” and inadequate bonding.
The Notice of Violation says that the Smith Ranch and Highland mines’ permits are “out of date and incomplete in several important areas.” Problems include:
- “The approved mining and reclamation schedules are not being followed and are not current.”
- One of the current permits says that wastes will be disposed at a facility that closed in 1994.
- One of the current permits says, “well casing joints are fastened with screws,” a practice that “was discontinued years ago.”
- “Topsoil protection procedures are not adequately defined to insure that disturbance is minimized and that the soil resource is protected.”
The Report of Investigation notes “PRI’s typical wellfield installation procedures result in the near total disturbance of the native vegetation and soils. This is not consistent with the regulation that allows for ‘minor disturbance’ without topsoil stripping.” A Google satellite photo of the Smith Ranch facility shows dozens of places where topsoil has been stripped.
Another problem is reclamation. The Report said that one Highland mine wellfield was in production for about ten years, but the mine plan estimated that it would take “one to three years to recover the leachable uranium…” The wellfield has been in the process of being “reclaimed” for ten years, but the permit says that restoration would take about five years. Even after ten years, the State says, the “ground water quality is similar to ‘end of mining’ wellfield conditions.” So, ten years after mining ended, the water is still highly polluted.
There are similar problems at the Smith Ranch mine. There, the Notice of Violation says, “The permit states that it generally takes ‘three years for uranium production, and three years for aquifer restoration.’ Actual times for wellfield production and restoration are, thus far, 2-3 times longer than permit commitments.”
The Report of Investigation goes on, “Over the years there have been an inordinate number of spills, leaks and other releases at this operation. Some 80 spills have been reported, in addition to numerous pond leaks, well casing failures and excursions. Unfortunately, it appears that such occurrences have become routine. The LQD currently has two large three-ring binders full of spill reports from the Smith Ranch – Highland operations.” “Excursions” are underground leaks of mining fluids into the surrounding water. Two surface spills in June 2007 released a total of 202,247 gallons of fluids.
The Report goes on to discuss bonding for the project, which would provide funds if PRI could not afford clean up or simply went out of business. Without a large enough bond, taxpayers are left paying for clean up. This has happened regularly throughout the history of uranium activities.
According to the State, PRI’s calculation of the amount of money that would be needed to cover mine reclamation doesn’t include enough funds. The State estimates that “a realistic reclamation cost estimate for this site would likely be in the order of $150 million, as compared to PRI’s current calculation of $38,772,800. PRI is presently bonded for a total of only $38,416,500…Clearly the public is not protected.”
For more information: http://www.nunnglow.com/questions-about-uranium.html
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