ML19256F534
| ML19256F534 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/16/1979 |
| From: | Krug M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19256F535 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-25 NUDOCS 7912190355 | |
| Download: ML19256F534 (3) | |
Text
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ij UNITED STATES g
g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 OCT 161979 W M -2 7 Docket No. $1.S72tr MEMORANDUM FOR: Ross A. Scarano, Chief Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch THRU:
Hubert J. Miller, Section Leader Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch FR0ti:
Madonna E. Krug, Project Manager Uranium Recovery Licensieg Branch
SUBJECT:
TRIP REPORT FOR THE MARQUEZ URANIUM MILL SITE VISIT ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1979 Date and Place The fiarquez Uranium flill site, located about one-half mile southeast of the town of Marquez in Sandoval County, New Mexico, was visited on September 11, 1979.
Purpose Bokum Resources Corporation, owner of the mill, is presently proposing a new uranium mill tailings disposal scheme as an alternative to the original design because of NRC and State of New Mexico concerns regarding the original design and the State denied Bokum a ground water discharge permit for the application submitted. The site visit allowed State officials from the Environmental Improvement Division (EID), NRC staff, and censultants to review the proposed conceptual design for below grade tailings disposal.
Attendees NRC:
Ross Scarano EID: Bruce Gallaher liadonna Krug Peter Lagasse George Gnugnoli Jim hackin Al Topp John Dudley Bokum:
Roy Waggoner Civil Systems, Inc.:
Richard Volpe 1620 274 7om90355
Ross'A. Scarano Attendees Colorado State University:
John Nelson Stanley Schum Oak Ridge National Lab.:
Bill Staub Science Applications, Inc.: Vic Dura John Gibbons Gale Billings University of New Mexico:
Steve Wells Sumary The site visit to review Bokum's proposed conceptual nsign for below grade tailings disposal comenced about 9:30 a.m.
The participants first gathered at the eastern edge of the Mesa Marquez to view the existing diversion ditch for the Canon de Marquez and the Arroyo Hondo drainage, the taflings dam, and the proposed tailings disposal areas.
The layout of the evaporation pond and solid waste areas is outlined on the N p provided during the site visit (Enclosure 1). Mr. Billings (SAI) described the design to the participants which is summarized in the conceptual design report which the NRC received through EID prior to the visit (Enclosure 2).
The new disposal scheme would provide below grade disposal of tailings by thorough excavation of the areas marked on Enclosure 1.
It should be noted that this scheme incorporates the diversion ditch and tailings dam structures from the original design because their construction is nearing completion. The evaporation ponds would be located in the original disposal area between the diversion ditch and tailings dam. The tailings disposal areas would not be located any closer than 300 feet of any of the arroyos (see Enclosure 1 for locations). The depths of the disposal
. trenches have not been finalized, pending further groundwater studies; however, Bokum proposed that the excavation depth for each trench would be a least within 5 feet above the groundwater. The large disposal area to the southeast of the Mesa Marquez appears to be the most favorable of those proposed because the pit depth could be at least 60 feet, which would provide a capacity to accommodate 12 to 13 years generation of tailings.
However, this area is part of the leased land on this site.
Reclamation of the disposal areas would be accomplished after the trenches are filled, thus the area of exposed tailings would be minimized and thereby reduce the resulting radiological impacts. The proposal estimates that approximately 10 feet of compacted earth would be used as a cover over the disposal areas. The evaporation ponds would be clay lined to minimize seepage, and the areas would reclaimed after the design life of the mill by excavating and disposing of any remaining tailings material.
After that is accomplished, the diversion ditch and dam would be breached 1620 275
Ross' A. Scarano to allow the Canon de Marquez and Arroyo Hondo to return to their previous drainage. Clay liners for the disposal areas are not included in the proposed conceptual design.
Further discussion on the conceptual design is contained in Enclosure 2.
After the design description and related discussions, the participants viewed the valley from the northern edge of the Mesa Marquez the constructed diversion ditch and tailings dam, and the disposal area in the northeast part of the site. The NRC staff also drove to the small neighboring town of Marquer which is located west of the mill site area.
Comitments Mr. Waggoner (Bokum) indicated that they would submit detailed design infonnation to EID and the NRC on an incremental basis to expedite review. He estimates that by mid-October Bokum will complete their investigations and submit a final narrative description of the proposed disposal scheme te the EID and NRC. Mr. Scarano (NRC) stated that in approximately a month after receipt of all the necessary information regarding the design, the NRC should complete their environmental assessment of the project and submit a report to the EID.
&& S.
4 Madonna E. Krug, proj t Manager Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch Division of Waste Management
Enclosures:
1.
Map, "Bokum Resources Corporation, Marquez Uranium Mill Tailings Disposal Area, Conceptual Design Solid and Liquid Waste Disposal," dated 9/20/79.
2.
" Conceptual Design Report, Below Grade Tailings Disposal at the Marquez Uranium Mill Site" cc:
H. Fontecilla, Technical Assistant Office of Chairman Hendrie John C. Guibert, Technical Assistant Office of Commissioner Kennedy Hugh L. Thompson, Technical Assistant Office of Commissioner Bradford George D. Sauter, Technical Assistant Office of Commissioner Ahearne
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16R 276
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