ENCORE ENERGY (through its subsidiary POWERTECH) DOES NOT HAVE THE CRITICAL PERMITS OR LICENSES NEEDED TO MINE AND/OR START CONSTRUCTION. IT NEEDS AT LEAST 10 PERMITS/LICENSES BEFORE IT CAN LEGALLY MINE URANIUM IN THE DEWEY-BURDOCK AREA LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BLACK HILLS.
6/4/26 UPDATE ON DEWEY-BURDOCK URANIUM PROJECT
The comment period for the portion of the proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium mine that would be on land that is controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) closed on May 14th. The BLM received just over 700 comments! This proposed project covers approximately 10,580 acres in Custer and Fall River Counties and intends to use in situ leach mining.
Thank you to everyone who commented and shared information!
enCore Energy, through its subsidiary Powertech, is planning the Dewey-Burdock mine. The company initially planned to begin mining in 2009. The project has faced strong resistance from the Oglala Sioux Tribe, our organization, a number of other organizations, and the public. This included residents of Fall River County, who voted to prevent new uranium mining in a citizen initiative in 2022. To date, mining has not started.
DEWEY-BURDOCK URANIUM PROJECT
PUBLIC COMMENT ENDED ON MAY 14, 2026
There is a new opportunity for you to do something to oppose plans to mine radioactive uranium in Custer and Fall River Counties. Public comments on part of the proposed Dewey-Burdock mine are due to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) by May 14, 2026.
The Dewey-Burdock mine is planned by enCore Energy through its subsidiary, Powertech. Powertech intended to start mining in 2009, but determined public and tribal government resistance has meant that it hasn’t started yet.
The Dewey-Burdock project would be about 10,580 acres and would mine using the in situ leach process. The Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project focuses only on the surface area that is controlled by the BLM, but the agency also controls 41% of the subsurface rights in the project area. Your Comment is Needed Today…Read More
Go to the Federal Level Comment Notices for more information and how to submit your comment.
The following information was updated November 22, 2024
Nuclear Regulatory Commission License
The company received this license
The company asked to renew the license in 2024, and the renewal is being challenged
January 31, 2025 – Below is the ASLB’s decision on participation by BHCWA, NDN, Susan Henderson, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe in the license renewal case for Powertech’s NRC permit.
Environmental Protection Agency
Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permits (2)
The EPA appeals board sent the EPA back to the drawing board for these permits in 2024, restarting the permitting process
Aquifer Exemption for mining area under the Safe Drinking Water Act
On hold pending outcome of UIC permits process
State of South Dakota
Water Permits (3)
Consideration of water permits was put on hold in 2013
Mining Permit
Consideration of mining permit was put on hold in 2013
Fall River County
County gave permission for project
Custer County
County has not given permission for project
TOTAL: Two permits received (one under challenge); At least 10 permits needed
Following is a recording of the Nov. 10, 2021 case between the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit – and the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Aligning Responsible Mining v. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding violations of Government to Government Tribal Consultation, NHPA and NEPA for meaningful and thorough tribal site survey on cultural and environmental resources.
Transcript available Here.
(Note: we used Otter.ai and although combed through the text, there may be words/spelling errors. If you see something, please let us know via email.
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Black Hills Clean Water Alliance 