Star-Tribune Editorial Board
Anticipated growth in uranium mining will help Wyoming diversify its minerals production. But the new activity comes at a time when the public has had its confidence shaken in both state regulators and at least one player in the uranium industry.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality said it had discovered long-standing environmental concerns at the Smith-Highland Ranch in-situ leach uranium mine north of Douglas. The mine, operated by Power Resources Corp., is the only one now operating in Wyoming. But at least seven other companies are expected to seek DEQ approval for similar mines throughout the state.
DEQ found serious alleged violations at the mine, including delayed restoration of groundwater, "routine" spills, and a bond inadequate to cover restoration. These problems occurred over several years but apparently were not noticed by DEQ until the agency conducted a special investigation of the mine last fall.
The DEQ's report said Power Resources routinely extends the production time for some wells. One well field that was planned to be in production for one to three years was actually used for a decade. The agency's inspectors noted that while underground water restoration is supposed to occur simultaneously with ongoing production, that rarely happens at the mine.
Cameco Corp., which owns Power Resources Corp., said it will restore well fields to a point acceptable to state and federal regulators. Cameco said it also will increase its bond to adequately cover restoration of the mining activity, and will provide better records and documentation in the future.
It's disturbing that so many problems have been discovered at what should have served as a model for future uranium mining activity in the state. The good news is that the company has acknowledged its mistakes and has the revenue to do much better in the future. It has the opportunity to prove, as a Cameco spokesman said, that the environment is one of its top priorities.
Meanwhile, DEQ Director John Corra acknowledges the department's oversight of the mine failed, but he adds that his staff was not "asleep at the switch." Then how does he explain what happened?
The director vows that the agency will be more vigilant about its inspection process in the future. But that promise would be more credible if the agency were being held accountable for failed oversight in the past.
Wyoming citizens deserve confidence that DEQ will monitor in-situ uranium mining closely and take appropriate action when necessary. If staffing and a dwindling knowledge base about the uranium industry within DEQ are factors in its failed oversight, as Corra suggested, then Corra and Gov. Dave Freudenthal should address those problems immediately.
Wyoming has an opportunity to benefit economically from increased uranium mining, but Wyoming citizens deserve to know regulators will provide proper oversight.
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