Proposed Uranium Mining Permits

Powertech/Azarga does not have any of 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 south-west corner of Black Hills.

This information was updated Nov. 11, 2021

  • NRC License (under challenge in federal court).
    • Hearing held on 11-9-21 by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.  Audio and transcript provided below.
  • EPA ISL mining permit (under appeal)
  • EPA deep disposal well permit (under appeal)
  • State mining permit (hearing put on hold in 2013)
  • State water permit for Inyan Kara formations (hearing put on hold in 2013) –
    • On Oct 6, 2021 the SD Water Management Board voted no to grant Powertech request to resume permits hearing
  • State water permit for Madison formation (hearing put on hold in 2013)
    • On Oct 6, 2021 the SD Water Management Board voted no to grant Powertech request to resume permits hearing
  • State wastewater spraying permit (hearing put on hold in 2013)
    • On Oct 6, 2021 the SD Water Management Board voted no to grant Powertech request to resume permits hearing
  • BLM permission (under consideration)
  • NPDES wastewater permit
  • Army Corps of Engineers permit

There will probably also be county permits in Custer County. None needed in Fall River County, as they’ve given them a green light for over 10 years now.

Nov. 10, 2021 – US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit – Case No 20 1489 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.

We have recorded this hearing and transcribed the audio to provide the public the option of both audio and text.

Transcript or download this PDF 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.

Click to access transcription-ostarm-v-nrc-caseno20-1489-transcrips.pdf