Quivira Mining Company P.O. Box 218, Grants, NM USA 87020 (505)287-8851 October 19, 1999 Ms. Elaine Brummett Uranium Recovery Branch U.S.N.R-C. 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20850 Re: License SUA-1473 Docket Number 40-8905 Information Request - Windblown Dear Elaine, Please find enclosed the information that was requested within your September 22, 1999 email to Quivira regarding the windblown clean-up activities at the Ambrosia Lake facility. Please contact me if you have any questions. Rrr Peter Luthiger Supervisor, Radiation Safety And Environmental Affairs Enclosure xc: T. Vitkus (ORISE) File
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Quivira Mining CompanyQuivira Mining Company P.O. Box 218, Grants, NM USA 87020 (505)287-8851 October 19, 1999 Ms. Elaine Brummett Uranium Recovery Branch U.S.N.R-C.
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Quivira Mining Company P.O. Box 218, Grants, NM USA 87020 (505)287-8851
Re: License SUA-1473 Docket Number 40-8905 Information Request - Windblown
Dear Elaine,
Please find enclosed the information that was requested within your September 22, 1999 email to Quivira regarding the windblown clean-up activities at the Ambrosia Lake facility.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Rrr
Peter Luthiger Supervisor, Radiation Safety And Environmental Affairs
Enclosure
xc: T. Vitkus (ORISE) File
CONTENTS
Tab I .... ... ........ .................... Site H istory
Tab 2 ........................... ERG Procedures
Tab 3 ............................................. Site Map - Background Sample Locations
Tab 4 ........................................ Site Map - Windblown Clean-up Zones
Tab 5 ............................................. Site Map - Backfill Zones
Information pertaining to the site/process history has been collated from documents previously submitted to NRC. The information is contained in the following sections:
1. General geography of the site including a list and map of various industrial activities that have occurred in vicinity of site;
2. Description of mining activities; 3. Description of milling activities; 4. Description and operational history of tailings management system.
) ,O GEOGRAPHY
The Quivira Mining Company milling facility is located in the
Ambrosia Lake mining district in the southeastern part of McKinley
County, New Mexico. The mill restricted area encloses the
consisting of 120 foot diameter thickeners for six stages and 28
foot diameter high capacity thickeners for the seventh stage. Wash
solution added to both the classifier and thickener circuits is
made up of raffinate from the solvent extraction circuit, 80 to 90
percent of which is recycled, plus makeup tailings solution as
required. The recycle of raffinate returns acid to the washing
circuits to maintain a pH of 1.5 or less in the system and
decreases the total quantity of solution to be disposed of in the
tailings. Wash ratios are between 2.5 and 3.0 in the classifier
circuit and between 1.8 and 2.2 in the thickener circuit.
11
The thickener circuit handles approximately 1/3 of the total feed
solids, with underflow slurries containing about 30 percent solids.
Flocculant in the amount of 0.05 pounds per ton of ore is delivered
to the thickener circuit through a loop line to maintain turbidity
of less than 150 to 200 ppm in the pregnant solution overflowing
the first thickener and also to control the slime level in each
thickener. Soluble losses in the final thickener underflow (slime
tails) represent about 0.5 percent of the total U308, with an
additional 0.15 percent contained in the final classifier sand
product (sand tails) at a density of 75 percent solids.
Solution Cl ari fication
Pregnant solution from the CCD circuits is further clarified to 50
to 75 ppm suspended solids using small additions of flocculant, as
needed, in 60 feet diameter by 20 feet deep reactor-clarifiers.
Underflow from these units, containing some fine slimes, is
recycled as dilution to the leach circuit feed.
Solution overflowing the two reactor clarifiers rejoins to form a
single stream and is further clarified by passing through eight 54
inch (600 square feet) U.S. pressure filters which are operated in
parallel at a feed rate of 300 to 500 gallons per minute each. The
pressure filters are precoated with about 0.1 pound of precoat per
ton of ore, and 0.35 pound of filter aid per ton of ore is added to
the feed solutions.
12-
..........
The pressure filter cycle varies from 4 to 24 hours depending on
the clarity of the reactor clarifier overflow solution. Final
clarified solution passes through storage tanks to solvent
extraction while filter cakes are returned by pumping to the second
or third thickener in the CCD circuit. Filter screens are cleaned
periodically with five percent caustic solution at 140'F.
A 12 foot diameter Baker sand filter, installed several years ago,
supplements the pressure filters for clarification.
Solvent Extraction
Extraction. Two parallel solvent extraction circuits are each
equipped with four stages of integrated mixer settler units
consisting of eight feet diameter by nine- and- a-half feet high
stainless steel, agitated mixing tanks mounted in the center of 40
feet diameter by nine feet high circular wooden settling tanks.
The aqueous phase flows by gravity through each circuit at a rate
of from 1000 to 1200 gallons per minute and is withdrawn from each
settler tank through four jacklegs which- overflow to gathering
pipes connected to a manifold and to the bottom of the next mixer.
The organic phase, normally containing about three percent tertiary
amine (Alamine 336), three percent isodecanol, and the balance a
high flash point kerosene, overflows each settler tank and is
pumped countercurrently to the aqueous phase at a flow rate of from
300 to 400 gallons per minute to the top of the next mixer. The
mixers are operated organic continuous by recycling part of the
organic.
13
Pregnant solution enters the extraction circuit with a U308
content of about one gram per liter. The loaded organic contains
about three grams per liter. Barren solution or raffinate
containing an average of 0.001 gram of U3 08 per liter is
recycled for wash in the CCD thickener and classifier circuits with
a small part (10 to 20 percent) being used, along with recycle
solution from the tailings dam, to repulp tailings for pumping to
disposal.
The extraction circuit operation is monitored by hourly
colorimetric analyses of the No. 2 settler aqueous solutions.
Organic flow is regulated to hold the U308 content of the
aqueous solutions at 0.04 to 0.09 grams per liter at this point.
Stripping. The stripping circuit consists of four stages of
separate eight feet diameter by nine feet high mixers and 22 feet
diameter by eight feet deep settler tanks. Loaded organic enters
the first mixer and flows by gravity through the circuit
countercurrently to a chloride stripping solution which is pumped
through the circuit at a rate varying between 20 and 40 gallons per
minute. The strip solution at a concentration of 1.5 normal
chloride is a mixture of saturated brine, water, recycled
yellowcake filtrate, and barren filtrate from the molybdenum
recovery circuit. After passing through the circuit, the pregnant
strip solution contains 30 to 45 grams of U3 08 per liter.
Molybdenum is not stripped from the organic phase by chloride
solution and, if not controlled, builds up in concentration to the
..............
point that a molyamine sludge layer forms at the interface between
the aqueous and, organic phases. This effect is minimized by
treatment of part of the organic phase in a separate molybdenum
stripping circuit where it is scrubbed with an ammonia solution
before returning to the extraction ci-rcuit. Air lances mounted in
each quadrant of the settling tanks are also used to provide
sufficient agitation to break- up the sludge layer and to keep it
moving with the organic phase for subsequent removal in the
molybdenum strip circuit. Under unusual circumstances, when the
molybdenum content of the feed is particularly high, other measures
such as increasing the organic to aqueous ratio, or raising the
amine content of the organic phase, are employed.
Precipitation, Filtering, Drying- and Packaging. Pregnant strip
solutions from both solvent extraction circuits are combined as )
feed to a series of three eight feet. diameter by 12 feet high
agitated precipitation tanks. Steam is added to the first and 0
second tanks to obtain a temperature of 140 F. A mixture of two
to four parts air and one part ammonia is added to the three tanks
to precipitate the uranium.
Control of pH in precipitation to 6.3 to 6.4 in the second tank is
most important in achieving good product purity and filterability
and the formation of only small amounts of hydrated uranyl
sulfate. The pH is raised to 7.0 in the third tank to insure
complete precipitation. Total ammonia consumption (precipitation
plus molybdenum stripping) is 1.1 to 1.5 pounds per ton of ore.
Is
1,O EXISTING TAILINGS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The milling process produces waste solids and liquids called
tailings. The solid tails derive from the host rock from which the
uranium is dissolved and the liquid tails result from the
utilization of water for the various chemical operations required
to concentrate the uranium as "yellowcake". The Quivira mill
normally produces approximately 6200 tons of solid tails and 8,700
tons of liquid tails per day. The tailings disposal method used at
the mill has as its objective the stable retention of all solid
materials and disposal of liquids by evaporation.
The slime tails from the thickener underflow and the sand tails
from the classifiers are repulped with liquid tails to. produce a
slurry of about 40% solids for transport by pipeline for disposal.
The solid tailings from the milling operations are stored in
tailings ponds No. 1 and No. 2, located mostly on Section 31 TI4N,
R9W, McKinley County, New Mexico (Map 2, Sheet 1).
The No. 1 pond covers approximately 263 acres and normally contains
a liquid area of approximately 90 acres. The height of the crest
from the original ground level varies from 25 to 90 feet.
The No. 2 pond covers about 65 acres, and its dam is formed by the
west portion of the No. 1 tail pond. Recent storage has been
16
mainly in pond No. 1, with a relatively small amount going into
pond No. 2.,
The tailings slurry is pumped from the mill repulp tank to a
distributor box located at the north end of the solids disposal
area (Pond 1). From this distributor box tailings can be directed
by electrically operated valves to either side of the disposal area
through 14 inch diameter wood stave pipelines. Replacement of the
wood stave pipe with 16" O.D. polyethylene pipe was started in
1982. A short alternate line is provided for direct discharge into
the, pond in case of any problems with the normal distribution
system. The 14 inch wood stave pipe is fitted with 4 inch rubber
hose spigots on about 30 foot centers. By means of spigoting
hoses, the tailings slurry is conveyed over the top of a
spigotting-dike formed from tailings solids around the top of the
disposal area. The major portion of the solid tailings deposit
just inside the spigotting-dike and the remaining portion of the
finer solids (slimes) and the liquid flow toward a central
impoundment. This method (called upstream spigoting) allows the
major deposition of tails near the spigotting-dike where, after
partial drying, a portion of the solids are dozed up into another
spigotting-dike. The central impoundment retains the liquids and
allows the fines to settle so that clear liquid can be removed to
the evaporation ponds. The central impoundment is equipped with a
siphon decant system which allows removal of the clear tailings
liquid to pond 3 where a portion is recycled to the mill for reuse
and the excess is pumped to evaporation ponds.
OPERATION HISTORY
The tailings disposal area constructed in 1958 consisted of six
ponding areas. Ponds I and 2 were used for solids disposal. Pond
3 is'a decant and seepage collection pond and ponds 4, 5 and 6 were
used for liquid evaporation. All starter dike and retention dikes
were constructed from the clayey natural soils on the site. Early
operations consisted of solids disposal in both pond I and pond 2
utilizing the upstream spigoting method.
A later change in operations temporarily discontinued the use of
pond 2 for solid disposal and the pond 2 dam became the west dam
for pond 1. Utilization of pond 2 for liquid evaporation continued.
The original construction included a decant system on the east side
of pond 1 which was abandoned due to high solid levels. A new
decant system was constructed to the south side which was used
until 1983 when a siphon system was installed.
The continued expansion of the milling capacity required additional
evaporation ponds. Ponds 7 and 8 were built in the early 1960's, 9
through 15 constructed in 1976, and the most recent ponds, 16-21,
went in service in 1979 and 1980.
The upstream spigoting of solids continued on all sides of the pond
1 area with lesser amounts going to pond 2. As the level of the
solids rose to heights inconvenient for spigoting, the wooden
)
area or company property.
tailings line was relocated to a new height. This procedure of
building solids and raising the tailings line has continued to the
present time.
The spigotting of tailings. slurry has been done in virtually the
same manner for in excess of twenty three years. The crest is
designed to allow the slurry to run down, so that the sands are
deposited first, then the finer fractions are deposited as the
solution is decanted off. The crest is pushed up from the beach
material, which consists of the coarser grain size sand. The crest
is compacted first by the equipment used in pushing it up. The
sand is then compacted by the slurry as it makes its way down the
slope. From experience, the spigotted sand (which contains some
fine material) is more stable and is more readily compacted than
sand that is more completely classified. The relative density as
reported in Sergent, Hauskins & Beckwith stability analysis dated
March 5, 1981, indicates a medium dense soil. Normally, seven
spigots are releasing a normal flow of about 2000 gal./min., or a
flow of about 270 gal./min. for each spigot. Since the flow is
directed down slope, the crest acts as a ramp to guide the solution
toward the middle. In the event that the sand should be allowed to
pile up and the slurry breaches the crest, the roadway below the
crest will catch the slurry. A breach of this nature would cause
no major. structural damage and no slurry would leave the tailing
If the spigots were moved in significantly from the crest, a
serious problem could be created. As a mound of sand builds up
below the discharge of the spigot and connects with other mounds
nearby, part of the slimes would be trapped by this newly formed
dam. A pocket of slimes could be formed in the outer perimeter of
the dam large enough to affect the stability of the overall
structure. Also, having the finer fractions near the face of the
dam tends to decrease the permeability and raise the phreatic
surface in that area.
By the end of 1982 nearly 31 million tons of tailing solids had
been deposited at the site since startup and no failures allowing
discharge of radioactive material outside the restricted area have
occurred.
Standard Operating Procedure 2.09
Correlation Between Gamma-Ray Measurements and Ra-226 in Soil
1. Purpose
To describe the procedure for developing a correlation between hand-held gamma-ray measurement instruments and the Ra-226 concentration in the top 6-inch layer of soil.
2. Discussion
The cleanup of surface soils contaminated with Ra-226 normally is done using in-situ gamma-ray measurements to guide the cleanup activities. Such factors as emanation fraction, Ra-226 concentration vertical profile, gamma shine from nearby sources, and topography all have an influence on the gamma-ray measurements and the technician has to be aware of these possible influences when interpreting measurements. With these precautions, the use of this technique for most situations has been demonstrated to provide sufficient accuracy to assure that an area has been successfully decontaminated.
The procedure that follows results in a correlation between Ra-226 concentration in the top 6inches of soil and the gamma-ray count rate from hand-held radiation detectors. It is appropriate for use in areas where there are no strong gamma-ray sources, no buried radioactive material, and where the topography is relatively flat.
3. Procedure
3.1 Field Equipment
Radiation detectors and associated rate meters, scalers, and collimators
Post-hole digger or other tools used for obtaining 6-inch deep soil samples
MicroR-meter capable of measuring exposure rates ranging from background levels to 100 microRih
Soil Sample labels and bags
Copies of Form 2,09A and Form 2.09B (one for each instrument)
Ink pen
Measuring tape (6 feet minimum)
3.2 Field Data Collection
3.2.1 Point Studies
A. Using the microR meter, locate study areas generally contaminated at levels that provide exposure rate readings taken at 1 meter height of background, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 50 microR/h. Areas should not be in shine areas and should be on relatively flat terrain. Each study area should be large enough that a few steps in any direction should not affect the reading. Record the data for each location on ERG Form 2.09A.
B. At each study area, strike a 36-inch diameter circle on the ground surface. Give each area a unique identifier (e.g. SPI, SP2, etc). All gamma measurements should be made at the center of the circle and at a height specified on the data sheet. The height should be determined by the height that the detector is placed during actual use (e.g., microR meter @ 1 m, bare NaI probe at 12-18 inches, collimated NaI probe at 6 inches). Assure that this height is maintained during all measurements.
C. Prior to disturbing the surface soils, make all gamma-ray measurements and record the results on the ERG Form 2.09B data form. For rate meters, put the response switch on slow and wait for 10 seconds with the detector in place. Look at the meter 10 times and record the readings. When using a rate meter/scaler, integrate the counts over a one minute counting time. A single measurement is sufficient when using the instrument in the scaler mode. Record the data on the ERG Form 2.09B data form for that study area.
D. After all gamma-ray data are reviewed for completeness, draw perpendicular lines through the center of the circle. Take five soil samples from each circle to a depth of six inches. The first sample should be taken from the center of the circle. The other four samples should be centered at a distance of nine inches from the center and on the perpendicular lines. Label the five samples using the study area unique identifier followed by the sample number (e.g. SPI-1, SP1-2, SP1-3, etc.). Record the sample numbers on Appendix A data form.
E. Repeat the above steps for above for each study area.
3.2.2 Plot Studies
A. Select 100 in' grid blocks that have as uniform gamma emission as possible. Choose a minimum of 20 grid blocks where the average gamma levels span the range of interest. Normally, this is from background levels to levels slightly above the cleanup limit. While data may not be available to anticipate the gamma range, a preliminary study with a few data points might be advisable. Data from similar sites may also be used.
B. With the radiation detector placed at the appropriate height above the surface, walk a regular pattern for one minute and allow the scaler to integrate the counts for one minute. Be sure to walk at a pace so that uniform coverage is attained. If a ratemeter is used,
carefully observe the reading while walking over the plot and estimate the average count rate. Record the average count rate on ERG Form 2.09B.
C. If a GPS-based radiological survey has been completed, determine the average count rate for the grid block using a computer software program.
D. Prepare a composite soil sample using a minimum of nine regularly spaced surface soil samples taken to a depth of six inches. Bag each sample individually unless care is taken to take the same mass or volume of soil from each location.
3.3 Laboratory
A. Dry each sample using standard operating procedures
B. Make a composite sample using the samples taken from each point or plot Grind and blend the composite sample until a homogeneous mixture has been obtained. Label this sample with a unique identifier that can be traced to the specific study point or plot.
C. Select aliquots from the composite samples of appropriate size for analysis and QA checks.
D. Perform the Ra-226 assays using standard operating procedures.
3.4 Data Analysis
A. Enter the Ra-226 concentration-gamma count rate data pairs for each instrument in a spreadsheet (e.g. Lotus 123) having the capability to do a linear regression.
B. Do a least-squares linear regression and plot the results. Evaluate the suitability of the results for use in predicting the Ra-226 concentrations in soils.
C. Develop cut-off gamma count-rates and/or exposure rates that correspond to Ra-226 concentrations of interest, considering errors in predicting the concentrations and desired safety factors. Confidence limit lines may be calculated and displayed with the correlation using methods described in Walpole, R. E. & Meyers, R. H., 1978. Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. New York, New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
ERG Form 2.09B
Ratemeter/Scaler Model Detector Serial Number Serial No.
Count Time (if applicable) Reading units Technician
To describe the daily task for the radiological surveying with and operation of the site survey vehicle.
2. DISCUSSION
For the operation of the site survey vehicle there are task that must be performed before, during and after surveying. This SOP must be used in conjunction with other SOPs for the daily survey and operation of the site survey vehicle.
3. PROCEDURE
3.1 Equipment
NOTE: 3.1.1 - 3.1.5 is for each individual GPS-Rad unit being used.
3.1.1 Ludlum Model 2221 Ratemeter with RS232 capability (2221)
3.1.2 Ludlum Model 44-10 Gamma-Scintillation Probes (probe)
3.1.3 12' C-C Cable
3.1.4 RS232 Cable
3.1.5 GPS ROVER Unit (ROVER)
3.1.6 GPS BASE Unit (BASE)
3.1.7 site vehicle with probe harness
3.1.8 Check source
3.1.9 Function check sheet
3.2 Instrument / Detector Assembly and Electronics Set-Up
NOTE: It is very important to perform the fuinction check in the same location everyday. Radiological readings can vary from spot to spot even if only a few feet away.
3.2.1 Attach probes to vehicle harness at 18 inches above ground and place ROVER units in secure position.
3.2.2 Attach GPS unit to Ludlum 2221 RS232 port and attach Ludlum 44-10 to 2221 using C-C cable.
SOP 1-52
3.2.3 Turn on instruments and function check (See ERG SOP 1-04) with source at 6 inches below probe. Record all results and applicable data on a daily function check sheet (ERG Form 1.01).
3.2-4 Set up and begin logging data with BASE station (ERG SOP 1.50) and ROVER (ERG SOP 1.51).
NOTE: It is important to choose a background check location where the gamma readings will not be influenced by site operations.
3.2.5 Proceed to daily background check location and perform a one minute count of background and record data on daily function check sheet.
3.2.6 While at background check location take at least 30 point location "shots" with GPS unit. This helps in mapping process.
3.2.7 Surveying
NOTE: It is important to achieve proper coverage. Proper coverage consist of at least five gamma readings per 10 meter by 10 meter grid. Excess readings are desired, but too dense of data will result in not being able to visually read results on map.
3.2.7.1 To achieve proper data coverage drive vehicle at a speed similar to a fast paced walk. This is can be accomplished by allowing vehicle to idle along in 4WD-Low or "granny gear".
3.2.7.2 Have someone walk at 9 feet to side of vehicle and place pin flags or spray paint on ground at intervals easily seen by driver. When vehicle makes next pass by, driver should attempt to pass probe over marked line. This allows data to be taken in consistent pattern.
3.2.7.3 Proper planning will allow for an area to be completely surveyed in a given time. It is not desirable to start a large section on one day and finish on another.
3.2.8 At the end of surveying day proceed to background check location and perform a one minute background count and the 30 point location "shots" with GPS unit again. Record data on daily function check sheet. Perform function check as in section 3.2.3.
3.2.9 When all field operations are finished, shut down both the BASE and ROVER units and download data (See ERG SOP 1.50 and 1.51).