Uranium mill proposed for West End

MONTROSE — An energy company is proposing to build a uranium and vanadium mill west of Naturita at the eastern end of Paradox Valley.

Energy Fuels Resources Corporation’s proposed Pinon Ridge Mill would accept uranium ore extracted from local mines and process it into partially processed uranium or “yellowcake,” which is further processed into fuel rods used in nuclear power generation.

Major comments and concerns raised about the mill at a Wednesday open house in Montrose centered primarily on public and environmental health. Uranium mill tailings or nuclear waste pose potential hazards to health.

Energy Fuels is proposing to create four waste storage cells that together would measure roughly 60 acres, said Alan Kuhn, a project consultant from Kleinfelder. He said the tailings or waste would be in these cells forever. The company is designing a cell lining and leak detection system aimed at preventing leaks into air and water.

Transportation of material from the mill, both yellow cake and ore, is another prominent concern about the project.

Depending on level of production, yellow cake in drums could be transported on secured trucks once a month, said Rich Munson, a project consultant. These trucks could go to conversion facilities in the Eastern U.S., Canada or abroad, he said. Ores would be trucked between Naturita and mines in areas such as Gateway and San Juan County, Utah.

Chad Kennard, Colorado Environmental Coalition wilderness organizer, said his group is concerned about how the mill will impact air and water quality, and the environment. “What they tell us and what they do are two different things,” he said. “Bonds cover some of the cost (of reclamation) but not all of the cost.”

Although the project poses potential hazards, it would feed the economy by generating hundreds of jobs.

“I see this as a much-needed economic boost to that part of the county,” said Montrose County Commissioner Allan Belt. Many places have talked about building mills but none have gotten on track except for this one, he said. If established, it would be the first in the country in more than 25 years.

“For the West End, this would be good thing from an economic sense,” said Montrose County Commissioner Bill Patterson. But project managers will have to address all the mill-related issues, he said. The project also needs dozens of federal, state and county permits.

Fourth-generation miner Jay Castle, of Olathe, said the environmental concerns are unfounded. “Of course there are (potential health concerns); it’s just something that needs to be managed, not avoided.” He said he would love to see mining come back to the state.

Another open house was held Tuesday in the West End. Nucla Mayor Roxy Allex said it was well received. “One of the things I’ve found very comforting is the state will require them to have a bond,” she said. “Should they close the mill, the bond will cover any cleanup.”

Recently, the price of uranium has rapidly increased from $9.70 per pound in 2002 to more than $90 per pound in 2007, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This jump in prices has led to the resurgence of the industry.

Contact Lisa Huynh at lisah@montrosepress.com

Daily Press senior writer Katharhynn Heidelberg contributed to this report.