Uranium mining
Powertech’s Richard Blubaugh initially stated that in-situ mining is “safe”.
In an interview with Channel 4, he now says “there is a risk of everything”. Hmmm—first it was safe and now it has risks. The in-situ process, by its very nature, has risks. For example, in the last 18 months, the Smith Ranch site near Glenrock, Wyoming has had 37,941 gallons spilled! In a two-year period, 69,891 gallons were spilled! This is more than fill a 30 ft X 50 ft X 6 ft swimming pool! And this is just one site!
Blubaugh also states, “with good engineering and good management, the possibility of any kind of release or contamination is highly unlikely.” This does NOT describe Powertech’s leadership. In fact, there is a path of abandoned reclamation projects (Moab, UT) and soil and water contaminations (Highland Uranium Project, Smith Ranch, Kingsville Dome, Rosita, Moser, etc).
Powertech boasts that its Director, Wallace Mays, was the first member to be inducted into the “Uranium Hall of Fame.” This must be a one-member organization because we only found one very old reference to it!
Powertech is trying to operate under the radar. Why? If this is such a low risk process, why not be more open. They talk about in-situ mining but don’t talk much about the open pit mining they will be doing. They have the option of waiving the confidentiality clause of their exploration permits—they haven’t. What else are they not telling us?
Write your county, state and federal representatives now and tell them that Colorado would rather promote tourism than mining radioactive uranium!
This letter has not been edited.