Colorado health officials on Monday issued a final radioactive-materials license for what would be the country’s first new conventional uranium mill in more than 25 years.
The Department of Public Health and Environment in January approved a preliminary license for Energy Fuels Corp.’s proposed Piñon Ridge mill in southwest Colorado. The company didn’t request a formal hearing on the preliminary license, and it is now final — with 18 pages of conditions covering health concerns, safety, security, emergency-response and financial- assurance issues.
The health department has to approve engineering plans for the mill before construction begins.
The Sheep Mountain Alliance, a citizens group based in Telluride, has filed a lawsuit seeking to revoke the license. A Denver judge has yet to rule on the health department’s request to dismiss the suit.
