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Sulfuric acid leaching of uranium a danger to groundwater, and surface water

“You don’t want anything to come in contact with this,” … “You don’t want it in the groundwater, in surface water, you don’t want any wildlife coming in contact with it.”

Scientists Scrutinize Uranium Mill Application, The Watch Newspapers by Karen James, Jun 16, 2010 “…….scientists hired by local environmental group Sheep Mountain Alliance to examine parts of a 15-volume radioactive materials license application submitted to state regulators last fall by Energy Fuels Resources Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Toronto-based Energy Fuels Inc., presented their findings during two public meetings held in Telluride and Ophir.

“I think that it empowered our stance beyond just an emotional concern, which has been Sheep Mountain Alliance’s goal all along,” said Executive Director Hilary White…………
, the firm raised concerns about the proposed mill first and foremost because all hard rock mining for heavy metals – including the uranium and vanadium that would be processed at Piñon Ridge – is fundamentally a toxic business, according to Holmes.

A solution of sulfuric acid would be used to leach the desired metals from the ore, leaving behind a waste solution containing concentrated levels of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead that would then be piped into lined evaporation ponds for containment.

“You don’t want anything to come in contact with this,” Holmes said. “You don’t want it in the groundwater, in surface water, you don’t want any wildlife coming in contact with it.”

Historically, however, linings have leaked, and net systems designed to prevent wildlife interaction with the toxic sludge have failed.

“Our biggest concern is that they will generate toxic waste, not control it properly and then leave it to taxpayers to clean up,” Holmes said. “That is a recurrent problem in this industry,” he continued, referring specifically to heavy metal mining and milling.

The Stratus report also questioned certain calculations arrived at by the applicant and the methodology used to reach them.

The Watch Newspapers – Scientists Scrutinize Uranium Mill Application

June 18, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, water