2015-03-08_REPORT - M2007044 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Summary of Quarterly Hydrological Monitoring Monitoring Activities This report summarizes the quarterly monitoring activities at Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.'s ( "EFRI's ") Whirlwind Mine (the "Mine "), as required by the approved Environmental Protection Plan and Attachment B of the Bureau of Land Management's (the `BLM's ") Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Final Environmental Assessment for the Whirlwind Mine Uranium Mining Project (the "EA "). The following field monitoring activities were performed during the first quarter of 2015 (January through March 2015) at the Mine: • Quarterly water level/flow measurements and field parameters were taken at MW -1, DP Spring and PR Spring on March 31, 2015. Whirlwind Mine Treatment Plant During periods when the treatment plant is in operation, mine water from the Mine is pumped to the surface, stored in a water tank, treated and discharged to the middle tributary of Lumsden Creek. Discharge of treated water from the Mine is allowed in accordance with the Colorado Wastewater Discharge Permit System, Permit No. CO- 0047562. EFRI has suspended use of the Mine water treatment plant until such time that mining operations resume. No water has been pumped from the Mine since December 2009, and Mine water has been allowed to accumulate in the Mine workings. Refer to Appendix 1, Attachment 1 of this report for a summary of mine water treatment. Whirlwind Mine and Packrat Mine The inflow within the Mine decline cannot be measured directly, because it occurs over approximately 100 feet from the entrance of the decline and within the drifts. The water collects in the mine sump, and is subsequently pumped into the untreated water tank on the surface when the Mine is operating. During periods of non - operation, the groundwater inflow can be calculated based on the approximate elevation level of accumulated mine water, and the void volume of the workings. Access to the Mine decline was restricted during the third quarter of 2012. As a result, flow rate and field parameter measurements were also put on hold until such time that the Mine is reopened. Historical flow rates and field parameters from the Mine decline water are included in Appendix 1, Attachment 2. Analytical data from the previous samples collected from the Mine are summarized in Appendix 2, Table 1. Characterization of mine water in the Packrat Mine could not be conducted, because the mine is not yet accessible. Appendix 1, Attachment 3 of this report is reserved for field data collected from the Packrat Mine at such time that it becomes accessible and is monitored.