Strata Receives Key WDEQ Approval for Full Implementation of Low-pH Operations at Ross Mine

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OSHOTO, WY.  Strata Energy, Inc. (Strata) announced this week that they have received the final Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) approval to fully implement low-pH uranium recovery methods at the Ross ISR Uranium Mine north of Moorcroft.

The WDEQ has approved Strata’s Interim Restoration Report from the low-pH field restoration demonstration conducted in one of the Ross wellfields during 2019. This latest WDEQ decision concludes the final phase of the stepwise implementation approach outlined in the amendments to Strata’s Permit to Mine and Source Materials License granted by WDEQ in late 2018. Strata was required to accomplish all four stages of the Implementation Plan to commence full low-pH operations.

Commencement of low-pH operations at Ross remains subject to improvement in uranium market and additional project optimization and de-risking.

Public Comment Period Underway for Proposed Ross Project Amendment

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In April 2018, Strata Energy applied to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) to amend its Permit to Mine (PTM) and Source Materials License (SML) to allow for the use of low-pH recovery solution in the Ross Permit Area of the Lance Projects near Oshoto. In late November, after responding to two rounds of requests
for additional information, Strata received notice from WDEQ that the PTM application had been deemed technically complete and would be advanced for public comment and additional agency review.

Members of the public may review the proposed changes to Strata’s PTM in the Office of the Land Quality Division, Department of Environmental Quality in Cheyenne and Sheridan, Wyoming or the Crook County Clerk’s Office in Sundance, Wyoming. Written comments and/or objections to the proposed amendment must be received by the Administrator of the Land Quality Division, Department of Environmental Quality, 200 W. 17th Street, Suite 10,
Cheyenne, WY 82002, before the close of business January 26, 2019.

If an objection specifically requests a public hearing before the Environmental Quality Council, a public hearing shall be held within twenty (20) days after the final date for filing objections unless a different period is stipulated to by the parties.

 

Strata Energy Granted Non-Significant Revision to Allow Low-pH Field Test

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OSHOTO, WY. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) has approved a Non-Significant Revision (NSR) to Strata’s Permit to Mine to allow a small-scale Field Leach Trial (FLT) using low-pH lixiviant at the Ross Uranium Mine near Oshoto. The trial is expected to commence in December.

The approval marks the next step in WDEQ consideration of Strata’s request to amend its Permit to Mine to allow for the use of a low-pH solution in the recovery of uranium at Ross. The company’s existing permit authorizes the use of alkaline and oxidant solutions in the in-situ recovery (ISR) process. Those solutions are generated by mixing native groundwater with carbon dioxide and/or sodium bicarbonate and gaseous oxygen.

Since uranium recovery efforts commenced in December 2015, the ore deposit at Ross has proven only moderately amenable to these alkaline solutions. Despite improved production rates over the last year, the overall uranium recovery rates at Ross continue to be below targeted levels.

The proposed permit revision would allow use of low concentrations (1.5% or less) of sulfuric acid mixed with native groundwater.

Of the 77 million pounds of uranium produced by ISR methods worldwide in 2015, ninety-six percent (96%) or 74 million pounds came from facilities using low-pH lixiviants. A successful transition to low-pH operations could align the operating performance and cost profile of the Lance Projects with current industry leading global uranium production projects.

The approved NSR field trial is designed to provide field-scale confirmation of laboratory testing and geochemical modeling to demonstrate that low-pH methods can be used safely. as WDEQ considers the two regulatory actions necessary for full-scale commercial low-pH operations at Ross. The FLT will allow Strata to conduct testing of low-pH lixiviant on a very small scale. The trial will take place in seven wellfield patterns within previously mined areas of an existing wellfield. The wellfield patterns comprise just 1.78 acres, or 5.4% of the wellfield area.

In order to receive approval for the FLT, Strata was required to demonstrate that the trial will not interfere with approved plant or wellfield operations and will not compromise public health, worker safety and environmental requirements. The FLT areas are monitored by shallow, deep, and perimeter monitoring wells. These wells are monitored bimonthly to detect unwanted migration of mining solutions.

WDEQ evaluation of Strata’s requested amendment to the Permit to Mine is expected to extend well into 2019, and will include a robust technical and environmental evaluation, as well as opportunities for public input.

Strata will publish information on permitting milestones, public hearings and opportunities for public comment on the company website at www.stratawyo.com. Legal notices regarding public hearings and comment periods will be published in the Moorcroft Leader.

Strata Energy Submits Low-pH Amendment Request

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Strata Energy, Inc. today announced the submission of a request to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) to amend its Permit to Mine (PTM) to allow for the use of low-pH recovery solution in the Ross Permit Area of the Lance Projects near Oshoto.

The WDEQ PTM for the Lance Projects currently authorizes the use of alkaline and oxidant solutions in the in-situ recovery (ISR) process. These solutions are generated by mixing native groundwater with carbon dioxide and/or sodium bicarbonate and gaseous oxygen. Since uranium recovery efforts commenced in December 2015, the ore deposit at the project has proven only moderately amenable to these alkaline solutions. Despite improved production rates over the last year, the overall uranium recovery rates of the active ISR operational areas in the Ross Permit Area continue to be below targeted levels.

Strata conducted a series of bench-scale tests in late 2017, which showed a significantly increased recovery rate using low concentrations of sulfuric acid (1.5% or less). In November 2017, a White Paper was issued for public review summarizing those test results. The White Paper also examined the effectiveness of in-situ recovery of uranium using low-pH systems and summarized the history and use of low-pH ISR systems globally. The White Paper further evaluated low-pH uranium ISR within Wyoming’s regulatory program and provided recommendations for its future use at the Lance Projects. This information, together with additional data from laboratory testing and geochemical modeling conducted in 2018, was incorporated into the amendment request submitted to the WDEQ.

A successful transition to low-pH operations could align the operating performance and cost profile of the Lance Projects with current industry leading global uranium production projects. Of the 77 million pounds of uranium produced by ISR methods worldwide in 2015, ninety-six percent (96%) or 74 million pounds came from facilities using low-pH lixiviants. The proposed change to low-pH operations at the Lance Projects is also projected to require no oxidant and improve groundwater restoration. Laboratory test results and modelling indicate that groundwater can be fully restored to currently approved values after using low-pH solutions. No changes have been requested to the target restoration values previously approved for each mine unit.

Wayne Heili, Peninsula’s Managing Director and CEO commented; “The submission of the PTM amendment request is the culmination of many months of research, extensive test work and analysis aimed at greatly enhancing the uranium recovery process at Lance and marks an important milestone in the pathway to low-pH ISR operations”.

WDEQ will now undertake a comprehensive review of the amendment request, analyzing the test results and inviting public review and comment on the proposed change.

US Circuit Court Dismisses Appeal

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Strata Energy, Inc. is pleased to announce that a US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the previous decision by the Atomic Safety Licensing Board (ASLB) to dismiss the remaining contentions against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) issuance of a Source and Byproduct Materials License for Strata’s Ross Project near Oshoto, Wyoming.

The US Circuit Court of Appeals opinion issued January 18, 2018 reaffirmed the ASLB’s 2015 decision stating that the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) (together, the Joint Intervenors) failed to identify “any substantive flaws in the Commission’s decisions.”

In January 2015, the ASLB determined that the contentions raised by the Joint Intervenors the were not supported by the evidence presented. The ASLB found that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission adequately considered the project’s environmental impacts, and further rejected arguments raised by the Joint Intervenors that the NRC engaged in a flawed review process.

The Ross Project has been fully licensed since the issuance of its Source and Byproduct Materials License by the NRC in April 2014. The Project commenced licensed production activities in December 2015.
Ralph Knode, Strata CEO, commented:

“Of course we are pleased that the Court of Appeals has reaffirmed the ASLB’s previous decision dismissing all contentions against the licensing actions related to Strata’s Ross ISR uranium project. While we were confident that the matter would be resolved in Strata’s favor, we respect the process that gives the public, represented in this case by the PRBRC and NRDC, a voice in shaping and enforcing environmental protections.
This dismissal is a credit to the diligent efforts of our technical team in planning and permitting this project to the highest standards in the industry. We’re happy to have this matter behind us and we look ahead to continuing to go about the business of safely producing uranium, diversifying America’s energy supply, and putting people to work in Crook County, Wyoming.”