Federal and state agencies are getting closer to making decisions on permits for the proposed Powertech uranium mine in the southern Black Hills north of Edgemont.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a draft environmental review recommending that a license be granted for the proposed Dewey-Burdock project unless a separate safety review finds reasons not to. The agency’s target for a final decision on the license is June 2013.

Meanwhile, South Dakota state officials expect to hold hearings next spring on Powertech’s applications for a state mining permit and two water rights permits.

Powertech has about 11,000 acres of land under lease north of Edgemont, but plans to mine only about 200 using the in-situ injection leach method similar to the system used at the Crow Butte Resources mine near Crawford.
In-situ mines inject a solution similar to bicarbonate of soda into the groundwater to dissolve the uranium, with the water and solution then pumped out and processed to collect the uranium.
Environmental and American Indian groups say the mining would harm underground aquifers and disturb sacred and burial sites. A U.S. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board panel held 2 days of hearings on the issue in Custer in October 2009.        Federal and state agencies are getting closer to making decisions on permits for the proposed Powertech uranium mine in the southern Black Hills north of Edgemont, SD.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a draft environmental review recommending that a license be granted for the proposed Dewey-Burdock project unless a separate safety review finds reasons not to. The agency’s target for a final decision on the license is June 2013.

Meanwhile, South Dakota state officials expect to hold hearings next spring on Powertech’s applications for a state mining permit and two water rights permits.

Powertech has about 11,000 acres of land under lease north of Edgemont, but plans to mine only about 200 using the in-situ injection leach method similar to the system used at the Crow Butte Resources mine near Crawford.

In-situ mines inject a solution similar to bicarbonate of soda into the groundwater to dissolve the uranium, with the water and solution then pumped out and processed to collect the uranium.

Environmental and American Indian groups say the mining would harm underground aquifers and disturb sacred and burial sites. A U.S. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board panel held 2 days of hearings on the issue in Custer in October 2009.