Design of Uranium Mill Facility Liner Systems for the Pi?on Ridge Project

摘要

The regulatory environment regarding the processing of uranium ore was altered dramatically in 1992 as a result of major federal regulatory changes, making achieving regulatory compliance a greater challenge for a new facility. One major modification to the regulations is identification of prescriptive liner systems for surface impoundments (i.e., tailings cells and evaporation ponds). Strategically located within the Uravan Mineral Belt District, the Pi?on Ridge Project is the first new uranium mill being proposed for construction in the United States in over 25 years. Proposed as a 6.3 million tonne uranium milling operation, the mill will receive uranium ore from a variety of sources. The project includes design and permitting of three 12.3-hectare tailings cells, 16.2 hectares of evaporation ponds, and an ore stockpile pad. This paper will focus on the liner system requirements and designs for the various facilities.