On October 30, Energy Fuels’ Whirlwind Mine received a Sentinels of Safety Award from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for 2007 in recognition of its exemplary safety record. This annual award program recognises achievement of outstanding safety records, to stimulate greater interest in safety and to encourage development of more effective accident prevention programs among the Nation’s mineral extractive industries. Another winner, Doe Run is covered in detail in IM‘s December issue.

This program is cosponsored by MSHA and the National Mining Association (NMA).

Additionally, as reported earlier, the US Bureau of Land Management has issued a Record of Decision with a Finding of ‘No Significant Impact’, in effect approving Energy Fuels’ plan of operations for the Whirlwind mine on September 10, 2008. On September 11, Energy Fuels initiated construction on the site to prepare the surface area for mine production. The primary project was building the surface water control structures to collect and manage surface runoff within the permit boundary.

The contractor has cleared vegetation and stripped and stored topsoil for later use in site reclamation. The waste rock storage area was graded and prepared to accommodate about one year of mine production at the 200 t/d mining rate. Specific projects completed include the surface runoff sedimentation pond; diversion and collection channels; roadway culverts; seeding; and the installation of the mine sanitary septic system. The mine facility is currently complete with an equipment shop, shower room, office, and water treatment facility in place. Additionally, all mine ventilation equipment and utilities are installed to the working faces, and all bolting and ground control work is complete underground. The Whirlwind mine is ready to begin ramping up to full production, once an outlet for ore production can be secured.