S.D. Uranium Mining Rules Stalled

An opponent of in-situ uranium mining warned that it will allow underground water supplies to be contaminated with radioactive and toxic substances.

"When we affect our aquifers, it's not just tomorrow," said Bruce Ellison, an attorney and landowner in the Rapid City area. "It's the future generations we have to consider."

The proposed groundwater rules are not tough enough, he said.

South Dakota should not allow its water supplies to be jeopardized by Powertech Uranium Corp. of Canada and other foreign companies that want to mine for the radioactive chemical element, Ellison said.

"These companies are here to make money. They're not here to protect the environment," he said. "This is potentially devastating mining. Why take the risk?"

Mark Hollenbeck, manager of Powertech's uranium exploration project near Edgemont, said the proposed rules are nearly identical to those required by the Environmental Protection Agency. He added that area groundwater is of such poor quality that it will never be used for human consumption.

A rules exemption is provided where aquifers are not fit for drinking water or the water is so deep that recovering it is economically or technologically impractical.

Hollenbeck, a former state legislator, said Powertech has been drilling wells in Fall River County to document water quality in preparation for the state permits it will need to begin mining.

"We're establishing baseline water quality samples and aquifer characteristics," he said.

Actual mining of uranium is not likely to occur before 2010, Hollenbeck said.