Informing Future Decision Making on Uranium Mining in Arizona

Pinyon Plain (formerly Canyon) Mine Life Cycle

The Pinyon Plain (formerly Canyon) Mine represents premining conditions during the development of the mine.

The dispersion characteristics of uranium and trace elements associated with uranium mining and the subsequent risk to biota are being characterized by installing passive horizontal aeolian sediment collectors in the vicinity of ore bodies, mines, and at sites unaffected by uranium-ore contamination. Weather stations to record information on wind speed, wind velocity and precipitation and passive horizontal aeolian sediment (dust) collectors were installed prior to active mining phases and will be maintained during active mining and, potentially, after mining has ceased.

Data will be used to quantify risks, if any, caused by off-site transport of sediments linked to uranium mining. Results from this study will reduce uncertainty of the location and degree of sediment, dust, and contaminant dispersion by wind related to uranium mining activities.

Objectives

Characterize the dispersion characteristics of uranium and trace elements associated with uranium mining and the subsequent risk to biota using data from passive horizontal aeolian sediment collectors in the vicinity of ore bodies, mines, and at sites unaffected by uranium ore contamination.
Determine site-specific wind direction and velocity at the mine.
Determine weight and, if possible, particle size of collected material.
Characterize metals and radionuclides in dust samples upwind and downwind of the mine.

Questions this study could help answer

How does wind direction and velocity vary at each study site?
How much sediment is moved by aeolian processes off uranium mine sites in different stages of production?
How does sediment flux from mine sites vary in space and time, and how do those levels compare to background conditions?
Which elements are present in transported sediment and what risks might those elements pose to the environment?