Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Radiation Program

Powertech Uranium - Centennial Uranium Project

Powertech Uranium has proposed uranium recovery operations across nearly 6000 acres in western Weld County.  The project is in an exploration phase, under a Notice of Intent filed with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DNR DRMS).

Once prospecting is complete, the company will determine the type of mining to be proposed.  Initially, it is expected that a portion, if not all, of the mining will be conducted by in situ techniques.  In situ uranium recovery is regulated through three mechanisms:

• Mined Land Reclamation Board reclamation permit (through the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety)
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Radioactive Materials License
• US Environmental Protection Agency Underground Injection Control Permit

Other requirements exist for County approval of land use changes.

The company may also decide to conduct a portion of the project through open pit mining.  In that case, the radioactive materials license and the underground injection control permit are not required for that portion of the project.

Regulation of in situ uranium recovery in Colorado fact sheet

In situ uranium mining and milling: state and federal permits, authorizations and requirements

Radioactive materials license application requirement summary

Colorado water quality standards and in situ uranium recovery

Related Sites

Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety  -exit this site

US EPA Region 8 Underground Injection Control  -exit this site

Powertech Uranium  Centennial Project -exit this site