nuclear-news

Custer County: Geologist states risks of groundwater contamination from uranium mining

Uranium foes elated by scientist’s findings http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/uranium-foes-elated-by-scientist-s-findings/article_145c9e0a-7d5e-58e5-914c-8ec00f5f2ef1.html Opponents of a plan to use groundwater to mine uranium in Fall River and Custer counties claimed victory Monday when a federal board made public a geologist’s statements that there are risks of groundwater contamination if mining is permitted.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board gave the public access to Hannan LaGarry’s supplemental written testimony about the proposed Dewey-Burdock in situ mine. LaGarry first testified for the opponents of the mine when the board had hearings in August in Rapid City.

After reviewing drill hole data that Azarga Uranium was ordered to open to inspection, LaGarry wrote that earlier Nuclear Regulatory Commission findings were based on a sample size too small to be “scientifically valid or useful in any way.”

January 14, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general