Powertech Submits NRC License Application, Achieves Key Milestones at Dewey-Burdock
– By Jack Bryar –
POWERTECH URANIUM CORP. (has announced that, through its wholly owned subsidiary Powertech (USA) Inc., it has accomplished several key milestones in the licensing and permitting process for its Dewey-Burdock Project. First, and most significantly, on February 25, 2009, it submitted the comprehensive Uranium Recovery License application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Second, in a letter received February 19, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 8 (EPA) notified the Company that the "EPA has determined that the contents required for administrative completeness are present in the application." And lastly, the South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment (BME) approved the Company's Request for Determination of Special, Exceptional, Critical, or Unique Lands and Notice of Intent to Operate.
The NRC is the federal agency that issues the Uranium Recovery License that would allow Powertech to construct and operate the planned Dewey-Burdock in situ uranium project located in Fall River and Custer Counties, South Dakota. The Company anticipates the review and approval process to occupy the remainder of 2009 and a portion of 2010, however, it is not possible to predict precisely if and when the NRC will issue such license. The NRC may request additional information to clarify, modify or supplement information in the application documents.
The EPA, another key federal agency involved in the permitting process, issues the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permit (see release dated January 15, 2009). According to the notice received from EPA, the technical review may result in a request for additional information, similar to the NRC review process. Also, similar to the NRC process, it is not possible to predict if and when the EPA will issue the UIC Permit.
The approved Request for Determination of Special, Exceptional, Critical or Unique Lands and Notice of Intent to Operate was submitted, as required, a minimum of 60 days prior to submittal of the Large-Scale Mine Application (Mine Application) to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). With the approval of the "request for determination" by the BME completed, Powertech plans to submit the Mine Application to DENR within the next two to three weeks.
Richard Clement, President of Powertech says, "I am pleased to report these positive milestones for the licensing and permitting of our Dewey-Burdock Project. While much work remains, the constant interaction with the different permitting and licensing authorities puts us in a favorable position to receive a final operating license that will allow full development of the project. We enthusiastically embrace these next phases and our experience in the permitting process gives us great confidence that our permits and licenses will be reviewed in a timely manner."
Powertech Uranium Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company that, through its Denver-based subsidiary Powertech (USA), Inc., holds the Dewey-Burdock Uranium Deposit in South Dakota, the Centennial Project in Colorado and the Dewey Terrace and Aladdin Projects in Wyoming. The company's key personnel have over 200 years of experience in the uranium industry throughout the United States, and have permitted more than a dozen in-situ operations for production.