cover story on pen in the australin investor, page-23

Lets hope we see one of these very soon with Peninsula Minerals substituted for COGEMA in the document from Sept 2007.



STATE OF WYOMING PUBLIC NOTICE
THE PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE IS TO INDICATE THE STATE OF WYOMING'S
INTENTION TO ISSUE AN UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PERMIT AND TO
CLASSIFY THE RECEIVING GROUNDWATER OF THE STATE IN THE VICINITY OF THE
PERMITTED INJECTION UNDER THE WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
(35-11-101 ET. SEQ. WYOMING STATUTES 1957, CUMULATIVE SUPPLEMENT 1973), AND
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, WATER QUALITY RULES AND
REGULATIONS CHAPTERS 8 AND 13. IT IS THE STATE OF WYOMING'S INTENTION TO
ISSUE AN UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PERMIT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF
NON-HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER AS DEFINED IN CHAPTER 2, SECTION
1(c), WYOMING HAZARDOUS WASTE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
PERMITTEE NAME: COGEMA Mining, Inc.; 935 Pendell Boulevard, Mills, WY 82644;
(307) 234-5019 PERMIT NUMBER: 06-841 Class 1-I
FACILITY NAME AND LOCATION: COGEMA Mining, Inc., previously permitted injection
wells: DW No. 1, DW No.2, DW No. 3, Christensen 18-3, located in Sections 5, 7, 18, Township 44
North, Range 76 West; proposed injection wells: DW No. 4, DW No. 5; located in Sections 5, 9,
Township 45 North, Range 77 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, all in Johnson County, Wyoming.
COGEMA Mining, Inc. seeks to replace existing permit 00-340. All wells inject wastewater from
an in-situ leaching uranium mine and other industrial wastes into the Lance Formation. The wells
covered by this permit inject at depths between 3,818 to 6,496 feet below ground surface. The waste
contains uranium residuals and significant amounts of Total Dissolved Solids and other
contaminants.
Before any other industrial waste is approved for injection, documentation will be required to show
that it is non-hazardous waste as defined by 40 CFR 261.3 and Chapter 2, Section 1(c), Wyoming
Solid Waste Rules and Regulations.
The maximum injection pressure as measured at the wellhead is limited to 1,200 psi for DW No. 1,
DW No. 2, DW No. 3; 1,320 psi for Christensen 18-3, and 1,347 psi for DW No. 4, DW No. 5. The
injection volumes are limited to 4,285 barrels per day per well and 25,714 barrels per day for all six
(6) wells. The injection rates vary widely over the course of the year, but limitations are placed to
insure that no injection will occur at a pressure higher than the fracture pressure of the formation.
The proposed permit requires that the permittee monitor the injection continuously and submit
periodic reports. Underground Injection Control regulations require that each permitted injection
well be reviewed at least every five (5) years in addition to the normal review done quarterly. The
proposed permit also requires annual pressure falloff tests required to be done on all wells as
required by federal and state rules.
The water in the injection zones within ¼ mile of these wells is Class VI (unsuitable for use) because
it is situated at a depth or location which makes recovery of water for drinking water purposes
economically or technologically impractical. This formation has been a permitted receiver in the
past. The water in this formation may be assumed to contain various dissolved contaminants
injected legally through previous permits. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
previously granted an aquifer exemption for designated portions of the Lance Formation from
classification as an underground source of drinking water for the previously permitted four (4) wells.
An aquifer exemption has been applied for through the EPA to cover the Lance Formation for DW
No. 4 and DW No. 5.
The State of Wyoming has placed conditions on the permit. These conditions will assure that
useable water of the state will be protected and applicable provisions of state statutes and regulations
will be followed.
Financial assurance is required for this facility, and it will be posted prior to the issuance of the final
permit.
PUBLIC COMMENTS on the proposed operation, the proposed groundwater classification, and the
State's intent, are invited on or before September 16, 2007. Comments should be in writing and
addressed to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, John A.
Passehl, P.G., Herschler Building, 4th floor west, 122 West 25th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming
82002. Additional information on this case may be obtained by calling the State of Wyoming, John
Passehl, (307) 777-5623, (307) 777-5973 (FAX) or [email protected] or by writing to the above
address.
Any person may request in writing (prior to the end of the public comment period) that a public
hearing be held. Requests should indicate the name and full mailing address of the individual
requesting a hearing, the interest that individual has in the project, and the grounds for holding a
public hearing.
If a hearing is not warranted, the final permit will be issued at the end of the public comment period