DENR Recommends Approval Of Powertech Plan

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources is recommending conditional approval by Powertech Inc. for a ground water discharge plan connected to the company's proposed injection-well uranium mine near Edgemont.

Powertech Uranium Corp. plans to pump groundwater into the underground ore deposits near Edgemont to dissolve the uranium. The water would be pumped to the surface, where the uranium would be extracted. The company estimates the mine would produce 1 million pounds of uranium oxide a year for 20 years.

Petitions to intervene on the department's recommendation must be filed with the department's Ground Water Quality Program and postmarked by Jan. 18. If petitioned, a hearing on the department's recommendation will be heard before the state Water Management Board sometime early in 2013.