For Immediate Release: September 11, 2007
Contact: Mel Lloyd BLM 970-244-3097

Public scoping begins on Whirlwind Mine proposal

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) has opened the public scoping review process for a proposed uranium mine operation on public lands located west of Gateway, Colorado.  Energy Fuels Resources, with its U.S. headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado, has submitted a proposal to reopen two reclaimed underground mines, the Urantah Decline and Packrat Mine.  The mines, located on unpatented claims in both Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County, Utah, would be combined into one operation called the Whirlwind Mine.

“By law, the operator is currently allowed to conduct underground bulk sampling within the existing mine features,” said David Lehmann, supervisory minerals lead for the BLM.  “The BLM has determined, however, that an environmental assessment is required before ore extraction at the proposed Whirlwind Mine could begin full-scale production.”

An environmental assessment (EA) is in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  As part of the required NEPA process, public involvement is an essential component.  The public is encouraged to participate by being involved with project scoping and by providing their written comments concerning the project.  The public should plan to attend a public scoping meeting, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Friday, September 28, at the Gateway Community Center, in Gateway.  The mine Plan of Operations has been made available for public review at the GJFO, and the permit application required by the Division of Reclamation, Minerals & Safety for the project has been filed with the Mesa County Recorder’s Office.  Informational materials on the proposed project are available for mailing to all interested parties.  These materials will soon be available for review online at the GJFO web site at http://www.co.blm.gov/gjra/gjra.html.  BLM’s decision on the proposed project is anticipated in first quarter 2008.

Written comments may be submitted at the public scoping meeting or may be mailed to BLM, attn: Karmen King, c/o Gault Group Inc., 36 W. Main Street, Cortez, Colorado  81321.  The public may also e-mail comments to kking@aquatox.us.  Public comments, which will be considered by the BLM as part of the EA process, need to be received by October 14, 2007.  For further information, please contact BLM’s David Lehmann at (970) 244-3021 or Scott Gerwe at (970) 244-3077.  To be added to the project mailing list, please contact Karmen King at (970) 565-1222.

-BLM-