Source: NRC
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the transfer of control of two uranium recovery licenses in Wyoming from Uranium One, a Canadian firm, to JSC Atomoredzoloto (ARMZ), a Russian firm.
The transfer affects a license held by Uranium One USA for the Irigaray and Christensen Ranch in situ leach uranium recovery facility in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. It also affects a license granted Sept. 30 by the NRC to Uranium One Americas for the proposed Moore Ranch in situ leach recovery project in Campbell County, Wyo., as well as a materials license held by Uranium One Americas authorizing the use of tritium sealed sources for well logging. Two additional uranium recovery license applications by Uranium One Americas – for the Jab & Antelope and the Ludeman projects – are currently under review.
Uranium One USA and Uranium One Americas are U.S.-based subsidiaries of Uranium One, Inc., a Canadian firm. Earlier this year, Uranium One agreed to a merger with ARMZ, under which the Russian firm would gain majority control of the Canadian company. ARMZ is controlled by Rosatom, the Russian Federation’s state nuclear agency.
NRC’s review of the transfer of control request determined that the U.S. subsidiaries will remain the licensees, will remain qualified to conduct the uranium recovery operations, and will continue to have the equipment, facilities, and procedures necessary to protect public health and safety and to minimize danger to life or property. The review also determined that the licensees will maintain adequate financial surety for eventual decommissioning of the sites. Neither Uranium One nor ARMZ holds an NRC export license, so no uranium produced at either facility may be exported.
The NRC published a notice of opportunity to request an adjudicatory hearing and an opportunity for public comment on Sept. 20 for the uranium recovery licenses. No hearing requests were filed. Four public comments were received; however, none of them addressed the regulatory requirements for reviewing a transfer of control.