Wyoming’s newest uranium mine is on the cusp of receiving permits from the federal government.
The Bureau of Land Management released a final environmental impact statement for the proposed Gas Hills Uranium Mine last week. The mine would be located roughly 45 miles east of Riverton, and would supply the Smith Ranch-Highland production facility in Converse County.
Cameco Resources is proposing in-situ mining for the Gas Hills project. That involves using underground chemical washing to extract the uranium.
BLM geologist Tom Sunderland says public comments on the proposal focused on potential impacts to groundwater and air quality, as well as wildlife in the area. He says the BLM’s preferred alternative makes changes to reporting and reclamation requirements.
“[It] might allow us to better manage how things are happening on the ground, and ensure reclamation occurs in the best possible way," Sunderland says.
The Gas Hills mine is one of two in Wyoming that Cameco is in the process of permitting.