ASME Message

Abstracts
• Maqarin in northern Jordan – this represents repository host rocks with advective groundwater systems.
Hydrogeological, hydrochemical and structural data collected on the fractured rock at the site have been used to
assess the likely implications of hyperalkaine leachate interaction on the long-term flow conditions in similar
repository host rocks (e.g. granites, fractured sediments) and this will be discussed in detail
• Khushaym Matruk in south-central Jordan – this represents repository host rocks with diffusive groundwater
systems. Here, hyperalkaline leachates have diffused through an impermeable, clay-rich sediment, so providing
information on the likely controls on leachate interaction in tight repository host rocks (e.g. claystones)
In addition, data are provided on the nature of the secondary phases produced following interaction of the leachates
with clays present at the sites. These clays include mixed-layer illite/smectite and so are particularly good analogues of
reaction of cement leachates on the bentonite buffer which is an integral part of the EBS in some L/ILW repository
designs. This work will be contrasted with that presented by Fujii et al (this conference) which is focussed on bentonite
reaction in leachates from low alkali cements. These cements are under consideration for use in repositories where
bentonite and concrete will be placed together as they produce lower pH leachates (pH 10 to 11) which are believed to be
less aggressive to bentonite than the higher pH leachates from OPC which are discussed here.
SESSION D4: Panel "Applying Lessons Learned from Past D&D Activities"
Abstract Not Required
SESSION R2: Environmental Remediation
1) 40261 – Reclamation of Three In Situ Uranium Mines - Innovative Techniques
Wallace Mays, W M Mining Company (USA)
RECLAMATION OF THREE IN SITU URANIUM MINES IN TEXAS-INNOVATIVE APPROACHES By:
Wallace Mays, President of IEC, Chairman and COO of Powertech Uranium, President W M Mining Company From
1990 through 2010, Wallace Mays has been restoring the ground water and reclaiming the surface of three In Situ Leach
Uranium Mines in south Texas; the Lamprecht, Zamzow and Pawnee In Situ Leach Mines located in Bee and Live Oak
Counties in south Texas. These mines were operated by Westinghouse Corporation subsidiary Wyoming Minerals and by
Intercontinental Energy Corporation (IEC). These were among the first In Situ Mines operated and utilized high levels of
ammonia carbonate, which complicated the ground water reclamation project. IEC was acquired by Oren Benton, who
declared bankruptcy in 1995 in the middle of the ground water restoration process. Westinghouse had set up an annuity
to fund their reclamation obligations. W. Mays formed a company, Cima Energy to contract to manage the reclamation
and to finance the funding of the working capital to be reimbursed. These ISL mines posed very difficult ground water
restoration and surface reclamation problems as they were developed when the industry was developing the techniques
that later were successful. In addition, the reclamation bond was limited and required innovative techniques to restore and
reclaim more efficiently. The paper will describe the Restoration Funding Methods and speak to issues related to
determining bonding and how these could be improved. The paper will present a significantly enhanced ground water
restoration procedures, describing the theory and presenting the data from both Reverse Osmosis and Ground Water
Sweep restoration methods. Three complete ISL process facilities were dismantled, decommissioned and transported to
licensed low level radioactive waste disposal. Innovative decontamination procedures were developed and described in
the paper. This paper describes the restoration of pre mining ground water quality in three mines of more than 3.2
kilometers of ground water by circulation more than 3 billion gallons of ground water through reverse osmosis,
decontaminating, dismantling and disposal of three complete ISL Process Plants, removing, decontaminating and
disposing of more than 50 miles of 4 inch pvc pipe from the well fields, plugging and reclaiming more than 6,600 ISL
wells, and transporting to licensed low level radioactive waste disposal sites more than 650 trucks of low level waste.
Surface reclamation procedures and problems will be presented.
2) 40005 – Environmental remediation Activities at the Ningyo-toge Uranium Mine, Japan
Hiroshi Saito, Tomihiro Taki, JAEA (Japan)
Ningyo-toge Uranium Mine is located at and around the boundary of Okayama and Tottori Prefectures, western part
of Japan. In the Ningyo-toge Mine, exploration activities had been carried out in 1950’s and 60’s after the outcrop was
discovered in 1955. Mining activities using galleries and an open-pit had been carried out for sending uranium ores to the
conversion and the enrichment plants to 1987 when the mining activities were terminated to begin the environmental
remediation activities.
There are many facilities subject to the environmental remediation, including a mill tailings pond, a former open-pit
mine and waste rock yards. The main purposes of the environmental remediation common to these facilities, are to take
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