New states regulations for uranium mines go into effect

New rules that went into effect Thursday will crash uranium mining in the state. In August, the Mined Land Reclamation Board approved modifies to the rules and regulations for hard rock, metal and designated mining operations. The changes were reviewed by the Colorado attorney general prior to them being available by the Colorado secretary of state. Among the new rules is one designating all uranium mines as mining action, meaning they must have detailed environmental security plans. In-situ leach uranium mine applications, which are being proposed at a process in northwest Weld County, must protect groundwater to existing conditions or to state groundwater standards, according to news make public from Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

In-situ leach uranium mine applications must show that the projected mining technology has been used at five other locations without harm groundwater quality. In addition, applications for in-situ leak uranium mine operations must include detailed baseline hydrology information and those applicants cannot receive a authorize if the applicant is in violation elsewhere. The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is charged with execute the Mined Land Reclamation Act. As a result of the rule changes, modifications to forms used by the separation were required. After authorization by the board at its Oct. 13 meeting, the forms will be available on the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety website.