Uranium Mine Gets Extended Permit in South Dakota
Published Date: 6/17/2026
Notice
Summary
Powertech USA got the green light to keep mining uranium underground in South Dakota for 20 more years using a safe, in-place method. This means they’ll keep producing yellowcake, which helps fuel nuclear power plants, without causing big environmental problems. Local communities and the energy industry can expect steady uranium supply with no major changes or extra costs right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Groundwater Restoration and Monitoring Required
Powertech would have to conduct aquifer restoration after operations to return production-zone groundwater to preoperational conditions or to standards consistent with NRC requirements (10 CFR part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 5B(5)) and State of South Dakota standards, with operational groundwater monitoring and plans submitted for NRC and EPA approval. The licensee must maintain inward hydraulic gradients and perform monitoring to prevent impacts to aquifers outside exempted zones.
20-Year License Renewal Approved
The NRC is considering renewal of Powertech's license SUA-1600 to operate the Dewey-Burdock in situ uranium recovery project for an additional 20 years, with documents available June 17, 2026. If renewed, the project would be authorized to recover uranium and produce yellowcake used for commercial nuclear reactor fuel, and the NRC found no significant environmental impact (FONSI).
Private Wells Near Wellfields Removed
Powertech plans to remove all domestic wells within 0.4 kilometer (0.25 miles) of wellfields and all stock wells from private use in the project area; the company will notify well owners before removal and work with them to determine whether a replacement well or alternate water supply is needed. This applies to wells within the Dewey-Burdock project area in Custer and Fall River counties, South Dakota.
Different Land Disturbance by Disposal Option
The Dewey-Burdock project area is 4,282 hectares (10,580 acres); estimated land disturbance would be about 13.2% of the project area if Powertech uses land application for liquid waste disposal, or about 2.3% if it uses Class V injection wells. Which disposal method is used affects how much land would be disturbed within the project area.
Air Emissions Below EPA Standards
The NRC staff concluded non-radiological pollutant concentrations from the project (stationary, mobile, and fugitive dust sources) would be below the U.S. EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards thresholds. Construction would generate the highest levels of fugitive dust and mobile-source pollutants compared to other project phases.
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