LA SAL MINE COMPLEX
(Beaver Shaft, La Sal, and Snowball Mines)
La Sal, San Juan County, Utah

Denison Submits Plan of Operations Amendment

On December 14, 2009, Denison MInes Corporation submitted a Plan of Operations Amendment (POA) for the La Sal Mines Complex (Beaver Shaft, La Sal, Snowball, and Pandora Mines) to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service. The BLM has not determined that the application is complete.

• Plan of Operations Amendment - December 14, 2009
• Original Plan of Operations - May 8, 1981
• Original Environmental Assessment - June 12, 1981

 

◊ Mine Operator
Denison Mines (USA) Corporation

◊ Land Ownership
The Beaver Shaft is on private land.
The Snowball and La Sal are on Bureau of Land Management land.

◊ Utah Division of Air Quality Contact
• Maung Maung
~ 801-536-4153
~ mmaung@utah.gov

◊ Mine Safety and Health Administration
To Search for Information on Inspections, Violations, and Accidents CLICK HERE

MINE INFORMATION

The La Sal, Snowball, and Beaver Shaft Mines are under the same Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (DOGM) permit (M/037/026). The mine three shafts are connected underground. They are also connected underground to the Pandora Mine (M/037/012), also owned by Denison Mines (USA) Corporation (Denison). These mines form a complex of historic underground uranium and vanadium mines in the vicinity of the rural community of La Sal, on the south flank of the La Sal Mountains in San Juan County. The La Sal, Snowball Mines received a permit from DOGM on December 21, 1978. The permit was never extended, despite the mines being closed down for over ten years.

The Beaver Shaft is less than one half (.5) mile from the center of the town of La Sal: the store, elementary school, and post office. One of the mine's vents is about one quarter (.25) of a mile from the center of town.

MINE DOCUMENTS

• Mine Permit Application, Executive Summary, and maps
• La Sal Mines - Large Mining Operation Progress Reports 1978-2008
• Letters regarding mine permit extension - 2002 (w/1982 Pandora Mine Progress Report)
• Notice of Intent to Construct the Proposed La Sal Mines Project
• DOGM Inspection Report of Mines in La Sal w/photos - 2002 (w/Hecla Shaft documents; inspections at end of PDF file)

Photos:
• Beaver Shaft
• Beaver Shaft Vent 1
• Beaver Shaft Vent 2
• Beaver Shaft Vent 3

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

• Original Plan of Operations - April 27, 1981
• Original Environmental Assessment -


DIVISION OF AIR QUALITY

On May 22, 2008, Denison Mines submitted a Notice of Intent of Construct the Proposed La Sal Mines Project to the Division of Air Quality (DAW). The project includes the Pandora Mine and the La Sal, Snow Ball, and Beaver Shaft. Denison only plans to use the Beaver Shaft and Pandora access shafts.

The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting comments on their Intent to Approve Denison Mines Corporation's request for an Approval Order for their uranium mines in La Sal, San Juan County, Utah. The mines are the Beaver Shaft, La Sal, Pandora, and Snowball, all of which are connected underground. The DAQ action is in response to the May 2008 Notice of Intent to Construct the Proposed La Sal Mines Project (as supplemented).

The DAQ Notice states that comments will be received on or before July 3, 2009. Mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Utah Division of Air Quality, 150 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4820. Or e-mail comments to Maung Maung at mmaung@utah.gov by the end of business (6 p.m.) on July 3.

The DAQ will hold a public hearing at the La Sal Community Center on July 7, 2009.

The Notice and Intent to Approve are also posted at the DAQ web page: NSR Intents-to-
Approve Out for Public Comment.

• Notice of Intent to Construct the Proposed La Sal Mines Project - May 22, 2008

• Notice of Intent to Approve

• Intent to Approve - May 28, 2009

• 2008 Annual Compliance Report - La Sal Mines - March 2009 (radon emissions)

 

Updated August 14, 2009

ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION

Utah Division of
Air Quality
◊
Utah Division of
Water Rights
◊
Utah Division of
Water Quality
◊
Utah Division of
Oil, Gas, and Mining
◊
Environmental
Protection Agency
• Uranium MInes
• EPA Uranium Mining
Studies - 2008
◊
Learn about
Uranium Mining
◊
Denison MInes
Ore Buying Program
for White Mesa Mill
◊
Other La Sal MInes
• Energy Queen
• Pandora