DENVER—A Canadian company said Tuesday it will begin prospecting for uranium after receiving state approval for a project in Weld County.
Powertech Uranium Corp. said the Colorado Department of Natural Resources approved its plan to drill test holes and wells on the land.
The company, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, has proposed a $20 million uranium mine near the farming and ranching community of Nunn about 70 miles north of Denver.
Company officials have said the mine could produce as much as 8 million pounds of uranium for use in nuclear power plants.
Under the prospecting plan approved by the state department’s Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Powertech will be allowed to drill 16 rotary holes and six core holes and additional monitoring wells on its property, a 5,760-acre parcel.
The state’s OK excludes any mining activity.
Area residents are concerned about environmental damage and potential health issues.
