PANDORA MINE
La Sal, San Juan County, Utah
(Connected Underground to La Sal Complex: Beaver Shaft, La Sal, and Snowball)

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 (BLM), and Forest Service. The BLM has not determined that the POA application is complete.

• Plan of Operations Amendment - December 14, 2009
• Original Plan of Operations - April 27, 1981
• Original Environmental Assessment - June 8, 1981

◊ Mine Operator
Denison Mines (USA) Corporation

◊ Land Ownership
Mine on Bureau of Land Management land (Moab Field Office)
Some mine vents are on Forest Service Land

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

◊ Mine Safety and Health Administration
MSHA Mine ID No. 4200470
To Search for Information on Inspections, Violations, and Accidents CLICK HERE

MINE INFORMATION

The Pandora MIne and the La Sal 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 Pandora is connected underground to the La Sal MInes (M/037/026), also owned by Denison Mines (USA) Corporation (Denison Mines). The Pandora Mine received a permit from DOGM on April 27, 1977. The permit was never extended, despite the mine being closed down for over ten years.

MINE DOCUMENTS

• Pandora Mine - Large Mining Operation Progress Reports 1977-2008
• Letters regarding mine permit extension (and 1982 Progress Report) - 2002
• DOGM Inspection Report of Mines in La Sal w/photos - 2002 (with Hecla Shaft documents, inspections at end of PDF file)

Photos:
• Pandora Mine Road

Maps:
• Radon vent holes and exploration drilling proposed in 2009

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 2008

• Notice of Intent to Approve

• Intent to Approve - May 28, 2009

COMPLIANCE WITH RADON EMISSION STANDARDS IN
40 C.F.R. PART 61, SUBPART B

• 2008 Annual Compliance Report - La Sal Mines - March 2009
• 2009 Annual Compliance Report - La Sal Mines - March 2010

• 2009 Application to Utah Division of Air Quality - Compliance with 40 C.F.R. Part 61, Subparts A and B, La Sal Mine Complex Radon Emissions
• Application and DAQ Approval for 7 New Radon Vents - 2010

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Updated July 27, 2010

 

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
• La Sal Complex