Power Resources, Inc., will pay $900,000 in penalties to the state to settle a long list of violations at its Smith-Highland Ranch in-situ leach uranium mine in Carbon County.
In addition, the company will provide $500,000 to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for "special environmental projects" related to in-situ uranium mining in the state, according to DEQ.
On March 10, DEQ issued a notice of violation to Power Resources Inc., detailing a long list of alleged violations pursuant to two permits, including delayed restoration of groundwater and a seriously inadequate bond to cover restoration.
"The settlement agreement satisfies the DEQ's compliance concerns
specified in the Notice of Violation," said Don McKenzie, administrator of Wyoming DEQ's land quality division.
Under the agreement, Cameco Resources, which owns Power Resources, agreed revise its wellfield restoration schedule to accelerate restoration and reclamation activity on its permit area. The company also agreed to increase its reclamation bond from $40.7 million to $80 million.
Energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer can be reached at (307) 577-6069 or dustin.bleizeffertrib.com.
