Doctor says Uranium mining could affect our water supply

Posted: Aug 21, 2009 07:00 PM EDT
Rachael Embler

A uranium mining company resubmitted their application this month for a project near Edgemont.

Powertech withdrew their application after falling uranium prices prompted the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take a closer look.

The company resubmitted the Dewey-Burdock application to show further data on the environmental impact of such a project.

Project managers for the company said they take environmental protection very seriously.

However, Environmental Engineer Doctor Gavin Mudd said it's extremely rare for the environment to be returned to normal after an in situ mining project.

He said in areas like Western South Dakota where ground water is a main water supply he said it's a big concern.

"We should be saying as Colorado has now done through law that they have to achieve baseline and they have to demonstrate that before they mine and so that way there is no risk into the future and so we can be confident when we use that water we know it can be safe," Mudd said.

At one point, more than 20 in situ operations were being considered across the west.

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