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Texas Uranium Exploration Operations 
(The Railroad Commission of Texas)
Uranium Exploration Pending Projects (The Railroad Commission of Texas)
(12.1MB PDF)
, complain that current law allows companies to test baseline groundwater conditions before they begin mining - but not before they begin exploration.
Reed said contaminants can seep into groundwater during exploration. Reed said that companies that find contaminants can then apply for an exemption to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. “We have to have true baseline testing at the front end,” Reed told a group of supporters at the Texas Capitol.
The Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District documented a substantial increase in minerals and iron in area wells during exploratory drilling.
> Download Report on Findings Related to the Restoration of InSitu
Uranium Mines in South Texas , Southwest Groundwater Consulting, LLC, September 29, 2008
Uranium Energy Corp. announces wellfield development for Burke Hollow in situ leach uranium mine:
On Jan. 26, 2021, Uranium Energy Corp. announced the restart of wellfield development and resource delineation drilling at the company's Burke Hollow in-situ recovery uranium project in South Texas.
In the 2021 drilling campaign, the company will expand and complete the Production Area Authorization #1 ("PAA-1") monitor well ring to include the two newly identified trends from the last campaign, resulting in a total of five fronts or trends within PAA-1. The company estimates that approximately 45 additional exterior monitoring wells will be installed to accommodate the trend extensions, complementing the 76 monitor wells previously installed.
The company plans to drill at least 30 exploration and delineation holes to further define the five mineralized fronts in PAA-1.
Burke Hollow in situ leach uranium mine project obtains state Radioactive Material License:
On Feb. 20, 2019, Uranium Energy Corp ("UEC") announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued the Radioactive Material License for the Burke Hollow Project, completing the last of the four major permits needed for uranium extraction. The Burke Hollow Project will be developed as part of the Company's hub-and-spoke strategy, designed for low-cost in-situ recovery ("ISR") of uranium with final processing to occur at UEC's nearby and fully permitted Hobson Plant.
> View: TCEQ RML No. R06066 License , Feb. 8, 2019
Burke Hollow in situ leach uranium mine project obtains aquifer exemption:
On April 5, 2017, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Environmental Protection Agency has approved the 5,384-acre aquifer exemption request for the Company's Burke Hollow Project in South Texas. Burke Hollow is the third project to be developed as part of the Company's hub-and-spoke strategy that is designed for low-cost in-situ recovery ("ISR") production to be processed at the nearby Hobson plant.
The approval comes shortly after the project's 11,000-acre Mine Area Permit was approved in December 2016 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ"). Two additional disposal well permits were also issued in July 2015 to make up three of the four major permits required for the project. The last major approval is the Radioactive Material License which remains under technical review with the TCEQ.
Burke Hollow in situ leach uranium mine project obtains state Mine Permit:
On December 13, 2016, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the company's Burke Hollow in-situ recovery ("ISR") project in South Texas has been issued the Final Mine Area Permit [UR03090] by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ"). Further permits required from NRC (Radioactive Material License) and EPA (Aquifer Exemption) are still pending.
> View permit details (TCEQ)
State issues disposal well permits for Burke Hollow uranium in situ leach mine project:
On May 27, 2015, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has now issued two Class I disposal well draft permits for the Burke Hollow uranium in situ leach mine project.
On July 15, 2015, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has now issued two final Class I disposal well permits [WDW447, WDW448].
> View permit details (TCEQ)
Mine permit and aquifer exemption applications filed for Burke Hollow uranium in situ leach mine project: On April 15, 2014, Uranium Energy Corp announced the filing of a Mine Permit Application and Aquifer Exemption Application for its Burke Hollow ISR Project in Bee County Texas. The applications were filed on April 11, 2014 with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
On Mar. 21, 2016, Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp. annonced a name change to Texas Mineral Resources Corp.
On Apr. 6, 2015, Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp. (TRER) announced that it has entered into a uranium offtake agreement with a subsidiary of Areva.
According to the agreement, TRER will supply up to 300,000 pounds of natural uranium concentrates (U3O8) [115 t U] per year based upon a pricing formula indexed to U3O8 spot prices at the times of delivery. The Agreement is for a term of five years commencing in 2018 or as soon thereafter, contingent upon development and production at its Round Top project.
TCEQ announces opportunity for comment and to request Contested Case Hearing on Technical Review for Pawnee ISL uranium mine project:
Signal Equities, LLC has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a radioactive material license to authorize recovery of source material (i.e., natural uranium) and generation of by-product material.
The TCEQ Executive Director has completed the technical review of the application and prepared a draft license.
All written public comments and requests must be submitted within 30 days from the date of newspaper publication of this notice.
> Texas Register September 30, 2011, Volume 36 Number 39, Pages 6339-6574, In Addition
Bee County Commissioners abstain from passing pro-uranium mining resolution:
A resolution to support uranium mining in Bee County sparked a big debate on Nov. 24, 2008. In the end, elected officials in Bee County opted not to take a position and to let landowners basically make up their own minds.
The small town of Pawnee in Bee County may soon become the next battleground over uranium mining. Signal Equities LLC , a uranium mining company, wants to start exploring for it.
Signal Equities asked the Bee County Commissioners to pass a resolution supporting uranium mining. Bee County last saw uranium mines about 30 years ago and leaders said the companies left a mess behind.
So the county's health director issued an 80 page report, citing concerns about contamination of ground water supply and how other counties are dealing with the issue.
(KIIITV News Nov. 24, 2008)
> View older issues
Uranium Resources, Inc.receives state permit for extension of Rosita in situ uranium mining project:
"URI, INC. for an amendment to its Class III Underground Injection Control Permit No.UR02880-001 to authorize additional in situ uranium mining at an extension of its Rosita project. The permit area of this site will comprise 2,278 acres and will contain three production areas totaling approximately 122 acres. The production zone is approximately 10 to 50 feet thick in sand units of the Goliad Formation at a depth of 100 feet to 300 below land surface. The Rosita project is located approximately 11 miles northwest of the City of San Diego, north of State Highway 44 in northern Duval County, Texas."
[Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Items Signed by Executive Director, January 23, 1998]
On Oct. 18, 2004, Uranium Resources, Inc. announced that it has commenced uranium production at its Vasquez in-situ leach property. URI expects Vasquez to produce 300,000 to 350,000 pounds of uranium (115 - 135 t U) in 2004. On Nov. 8, 2004, URI reduced the 2004 production target to 115,000 pounds (44.3 t U). On March 31, 2005, URI reported that the production obtained from Vasquez in the first quarter of 2005 was only approx. 100,000 pounds U3O8 [38.5 t U], due to "certain chemical and permeability obstacles in the Vasquez formation".
Uranium Resources, Inc., after having reached a settlement of the lawsuit over the validity of the Company's leases, plans to commence mining operations at its Vasquez property in Duval County, Texas, in July 2004. (URI March 23, 2004)
Uranium Resources, Inc., in view of the rise of the uranium price above $12/lb U3O8, wants to have its Vasquez uranium ISL project operational by 2005, provided the company is capable to raise about $5.5-million necessary to finance the commencement of production. (URI SEC filing Oct. 2, 2003)
Uranium Resources, Inc.receives state permit for Vasquez in situ uranium mining project:
"URI, INC.for a Class III Underground Injection Control Permit (Proposed Permit No. UR03050-001) to authorize in situ uranium mining at its Vasquez Project. The permit area of this site is 841.66 acres and contains one proposed production area of approximately 454 acres. The production zone is approximately 45 to 70 feet thick in the Oakville Sandstone at a depth of 150 feet below land surface and 480 feet below sea level. The mine is located in Duval County on the north side of Highway 359, ten miles south-southeast of Bruni and 50 miles east of Laredo."
[Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Items Signed by Executive Director, August 15, 1997]
Uranium Resources Inc. announces the startup of its in-situ leaching facilities at Kingsville Dome, Texas, in April 1996. [Fresh Fuel, March 4, 1996]
Project development commenced August 2004; plant construction commenced January 2005; commercial operations started October 28, 2005; first shipment of yellowcake product delivered in January 2006. The project has a 1,000,000 lb U3O8 (385 t U) design annual production capacity. (Mesteña July 2006)
Uranium license issued: The Bureau of Radiation Control completed the technical, environmental, and financial review of a new application for a radioactive-material license for in situ uranium mining from Mesteña Uranium LLC and issued a proposal to issue the license and opportunity for public hearing (see Texas Register Aug. 16, 2002). Since no hearing was requested, the license was issued on October 7, 2002. (Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control, Nov. 21, 2002)
Uranium Resources Inc. abandons Alta Mesa uranium in-situ leaching project. "The Company concluded that the uranium market would not have sufficiently rebounded in 1999 to allow for the timely commencement of production within the remaining period of the lease term (December 1999)" (URI, Jan. 20, 1999)
Uranium Resources Inc. receives state permit for Alta Mesa uranium in-situ leaching project:
"URI, Inc. for an Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit (UR03055-001) for in situ uranium mining (solution mining); two waste disposal well permits (WDW-336 and WDW-337) to dispose of nonhazardous wastewater generated at the site; and a production area authorization (PAA) (URO3055-011) to mine within production area one. The Executive Director declared the area permit application/PAA application administratively complete on October 31, 1996 and the WDW applications administratively complete on February 5, 1997. Draft permits and a draft PAA have been prepared. The proposed uranium mining operation, called the Alta Mesa Project, is in Brooks County approximately 23 miles south-southwest of Falfurrias, and approximately 13 miles west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and Ranch to Market Road 755 in the Rafael G. Salinas Survey, A-480." [Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission: Items Signed by Executive Director November 6, 1998
Uranium Resources Inc has acquired the rights to the Alta Mesa, Texas, uranium deposit from its existing Texan owners. URI said licencing will begin immediately and plant construction could start in the second quarter of 1997 with production to start in early 1998 at over 1 million lbs U3O8 pa (385 tU). [UI News Briefing 96/25]
Uranium exploration/mining in Goliad is being opposed by Uranium Information at Goliad (UIAG).
Goliad County Commissioners Court adopts resolution opposing uranium mining in the county:
The Goliad County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a resolution opposing uranium mining in the county during its Aug. 12 meeting.
The resolution is in response to the Uranium Energy Corp's permit renewal with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to continue mining in the northwest part of the county. [...]
Part of the resolution reads, "the role of groundwater and surface water interaction in sustaining the fragile ecosystem within Goliad County is important, and whereas it is generally recognized that ecotourism spring water for ranching and hunting are seen as major drivers of the economy, and whereas the future of economic health of Goliad County is highly dependent upon a reliable source of groundwater, and whereas groundwater must be managed on a sustainable basis, whereas uranium intrusion, uranium contamination and lowered water quality are risks from the in-situ uranium mining and whereas the residents and property owners of Goliad County have expressed valid concerns regarding the in-situ uranium mining and Goliad County, therefore be it resolved that Goliad County Commissioners Court hereby resolve and express its firm and absolute opposition to in-situ uranium mining in Goliad County."
(SouthTexasNews Aug. 16, 2024)
TCEQ holds public meeting on permit renewal for Goliad in situ leach uranium mine:
Uranium Energy Corp., 500 North Shoreline Boulevard, Suite 800 N, Corpus Christi, Texas, an in-situ uranium mining business, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a permit renewal to authorize in-situ uranium mining. The facility is located at 14869 North United States Highway 183, Yorktown, Texas 78164 in Goliad County, Texas.
A Public Meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM in Goliad.
Submit written comments by [undisclosed!].
> Download: Notice of Public Meeting , TCEQ June 27, 2024 (PDF)
Permit renewal for deep disposal wells at proposed Goliad in situ leach uranium mine:
TCEQ grants permit renewal for deep disposal wells at proposed Goliad in situ leach uranium mine:
> See: TCEQ Marked Commission Agenda August 28, 2024 (PDF)
TCEQ grants hearing on permit renewal for deep disposal wells at proposed Goliad in situ leach uranium mine:
"Hearing requests/requests for reconsideration
Item 3 Docket No. 2022-1553-WDW.
Consideration of the application by Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC), for renewal and amendment of Class I injection well permits WDW423 and WDW424 to authorize the construction and operation of Class I injection wells for disposal of industrial nonhazardous wastes associated with in situ uranium mining. A permit amendment has been requested to reduce the maximum allowable surface injection pressure. The proposed UEC facility will be located at 14869 N US Hwy 183 Yorktown, Goliad County, Texas 78164. [...] The Commission will also consider requests for hearing or reconsideration, related responses and replies, public comment, and the Executive Director’s Response to Comments. (Dan Hannah, Clark Reeder, Don Redmond)
Grant the hearing request of Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District; Deny the request for reconsideration; Refer the matter to SOAH [State Office of Administrative Hearings] for a contested case hearing on the following issues: 1) Whether the permit application adequately characterizes the geology and identified and assessed faults in the vicinity of the proposed injection wells; 2) Whether the draft permit provides for adequate monitoring of migration of injected fluids in the vicinity of the proposed injection wells; and 3) Whether the location and design of the injection wells and pre-injection facilities are adequate; Refer the matter to the Commission’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program concurrently with the preliminary hearing scheduling efforts at SOAH; and Specify the maximum duration of the hearing as six months from the preliminary hearing to issuance of a proposal for decision. BJ/EL; all agree."
(TCEQ marked commission agenda Dec. 14, 2022 )
> Access/Download: Docket No. 2022-1553-WDW (PDF - TCEQ)
> Download: Notice of Hearing (May 30, 2023) , Apr. 20, 2023 (PDF - TCEQ)
> Download: Amended Notice of Hearing (July 17, 2023) , June 1, 2023 (PDF - TCEQ)
EPA partly withdraws aquifer exemption for Goliad in situ leach uranium mine project:
In a move that experts say could set a national precedent, the Environmental Protection Agency is withdrawing part of its approval of a safe drinking water act exemption for uranium mining in Goliad County.
An EPA official said there is not enough data to determine whether a previously approved area is serving as a current source of drinking water.
"I think this is a huge victory for the citizens of Goliad County," said Jim Blackburn, the Houston-based environmental lawyer representing Goliad residents. "Mining activities will be allowed to occur, but at least one of the most troubling aspects, which is mining across the Northwest Fault, will not occur. We're not quite sure how the groundwater flows up there. So, I feel like it's a very positive result."
(Victoria Advocate June 19, 2014)
Residents appeal EPA's aquifer exemption for Goliad in situ leach uranium mine project:
The battle over uranium mining in Goliad County is set to continue as residents join an appeal against the ruling by the Environment Protection Agency to allow mining in the county.
The petition, filed Monday (July 29) in the 5th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, argues the EPA's ruling to grant an aquifer exemption to Uranium Energy Corp. was politically motivated.
(Victoria Advocate July 30, 2013)
The Environmental Protection Agency wants an extension to determine whether uranium mining can proceed as already approved in Goliad County.
The agency requested a 60-day extension for the decision, which was to be handed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday (April 1).
(Victoria Advocate April 1, 2014)
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the Environmental Protection Agency 60 more days to review its 2012 decision allowing uranium mining near Ander in Goliad County.
(Victoria Advocate April 8, 2014)
Citizens in Goliad concerned about the safety of their drinking water will have to wait 14 more days to hear the Environmental Protection Agency's final decision on uranium mining previously approved by the agency.
The two-week extension delays the issuance of the agency's decision until June 17.
(Victoria Advocate June 4, 2014)
Goliad County Commissioners appeal TCEQ ruling on allowing uranium mining: The Goliad County Commissioners continue to fight to keep uranium mining from coming to the county. On Monday (July 8), the court unanimously approved a contract authorizing attorney firm Blackburn & Carter to appeal the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling on allowing uranium mining in Goliad County. The county had already approved having the law firm represent the county, said County Judge David Bowman, but the contract approved Monday prevents the county from being charged for representation, which will come at no cost. (Victoria Advocate July 8, 2013)
EPA issued aquifer exemption for Goliad in situ leach uranium mine project after intervention of powerful lobbyist:
When Uranium Energy Corp. sought permission to launch a large-scale mining project in Goliad County, Texas, it seemed as if the Environmental Protection Agency would stand in its way.
To get the ore out of the ground, the company needed a permit to pollute a pristine supply of underground drinking water in an area already parched by drought.
Further, EPA scientists feared that radioactive contaminants would flow from the mining site into water wells used by nearby homes. Uranium Energy said the pollution would remain contained, but resisted doing the advanced scientific testing and modeling the government asked for to prove it.
The plan appeared to be dead on arrival until late 2011, when Uranium Energy hired Heather Podesta, a lobbyist and prolific Democratic fundraiser whose pull with the Obama administration prompted The Washington Post to name her the Capitol's latest "It girl."
Podesta -- the sister-in-law of John Podesta, who co-chaired President Obama's transition team -- appealed directly to the EPA's second in command, Bob Perciasepe, pressing the agency's highest-level administrators to get directly involved and bring the agency's local staff in Texas back to the table to reconsider their position, according to emails obtained by ProPublica through the Freedom of Information Act.
By the end of 2012, the EPA reversed its position in Goliad, approving an exemption allowing Uranium Energy to pollute the aquifer, though in a somewhat smaller area than was originally proposed.
(ProPublica, March 13, 2013)
Goliad uranium in situ leach project receives final authorization: On Dec. 5, 2012, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the final authorization has been granted for production at its Goliad ISR Project in South Texas. As announced in previous press releases, the Company received all of the required authorizations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ"), including an Aquifer Exemption ("AE"), and has been awaiting AE concurrence from EPA Region 6. In accordance with regulatory procedure, the EPA reviews AE applications after a Primacy State, such as Texas, has issued a mine permit and AE. EPA Region 6 has now completed its review and has issued its concurrence.
Goliad County Commissioners Court refuses to oppose uranium mining:
The Goliad County Commissioners Court will not formally oppose uranium mining in the southern portion of the county.
Commissioners voted 3-2 against a resolution proposed by Commissioner Jim Kreneck's to oppose uranium mining and new exploration and mining efforts of Uranium Energy Corporation.
In 2007, the commissioners court passed a resolution in opposition to and continues to fund a legal battle against the project in the northern part of the county.
(Victoria Advocate July 9, 2012)
EPA declines to certify state's aquifer exemption for Goliad uranium in situ leach project: More than a year after the state granted UEC an aquifer exemption, the Environmental Protection Agency has declined to certify it. The federal regulatory agency issued a letter to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and UEC on Wednesday (May 16), saying the aquifer exemption would not be certified until UEC has proven the water used to mine uranium would not become drinking water. The EPA Region 6 office denied the exemption under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, which protects all underground sources of drinking water from pollution. (Victoria Advocate May 19, 2012)
Goliad uranium in situ leach project receives final state authorization for start of construction: On Dec. 20, 2011, Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued a Radioactive Material License (RML) to UEC for the Company's South Texas ISR Goliad Project. The issuance of the RML marks the conclusion of the state-level permitting. The Company now has all of the required permits to begin construction at the site, and the procurement of materials and initial wellfield development will commence shortly.
Public comment invited on draft license for Goliad in-situ leach uranium mine:
On Nov. 2, 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invited public comments on the Draft Radioactive Material License for the Goliad In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Project and announced the opportunity for a contested case hearing.
All written public comments and requests must be submitted within 30 days from the date of newspaper publication of the notice.
> View Texas Register, November 11, 2011, Volume 36 Number 44, Pages 7417-7610, In Addition
On August 29, 2011, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Goliad In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Project in South Texas has received a Draft Radioactive Material License (DRML) from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The RML is the last state-level authorization needed by the Company to begin construction at its Goliad ISR project.
On Feb. 23, 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved Class III Injection Well Permit No. UR03075, the Aquifer Exemption Order, and Production Area Authorization (PAA) No. 1 for the Goliad uranium in situ leach project.
On Dec. 14, 2010, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have now approved the Mine Permit and the Production Area Authorization for Production Area One (PA-1), and have granted the request for designation of an Exempt Aquifer for the Company's Goliad in-situ recovery (ISR) project in South Texas. With this important milestone, the Goliad project only has one remaining Texas authorization pending, a Radioactive Material License (RML).
On Sep. 30, 2010, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Company's Goliad In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Project in South Texas has made a major advance toward becoming permitted for production. Yesterday, the administrative law judge (ALJ) who presided over a public hearing regarding the Company's Goliad ISR Project in May of this year issued an initial Proposal for Decision (PFD).
XXIX. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION> Download Proposal for Decision, Sep. 28, 2010, SOAH Docket No. 582-09-3064
The ALJ recommends that the Mine Application and the PAA-1 Application be remanded for UEC to conduct a Northwest Fault pump test with equipment known to be operating properly, conducted by a testing official known to be skilled and experienced with the use of the equipment, and performed on wells in the same sand on opposite sides of the Northwest Fault to determine whether the Northwest Fault is sealed or transmissive. Further, that the record be reopened for admission of that additional pump test evidence and for cross-examination. Also, if the pump test shows the Northwest Fault is transmissive further evidence should be presented as to the effect, if any, on the ability to conduct the proposed in situ uranium mining without undue risk of polluting ground and surface water outside the exemption area. If the Commission determines that such remand is not feasible or desireable then the ALJ recommends that the Mine Application and the PAA-1 Application be denied. The ALJ also recommends that the Commission allocate transcript costs 75% to UEC and 25% to Protestants, including and giving credit for the cost Protestants paid for their copy of the transcript.
(1.1MB PDF - Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings)
On May 27, 2010, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued both Class I Non-hazardous Waste Disposal Well Permits for the Company's Goliad in-situ recovery uranium project in South Texas.
On Sep. 23, 2009, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued Final Draft Permits for the two disposal wells that are planned as part of in-situ recovery of uranium at the company's Goliad ISR Project in South Texas.
On Sep. 1, 2009, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued Initial Draft Permits for the two disposal wells that are planned as part of in-situ recovery of uranium at the company's Goliad ISR Project in South Texas.
On Aug. 28, 2009, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced a Notice of Public Meeting and Notice of Public Hearing on the draft Production Area Authorization for Production Area 1 at the Goliad Project.
The public comment period for this application will close at the end of the public meeting on October 5, 2009.
On June 11, 2009, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued a final draft permit for the Company's first production area, or Production Area-1, at the Company's Goliad ISR Uranium Project in South Texas. The Company is required to publish notice of TCEQ's issuance of the Final Draft Production Area Authorization in local newspapers. After 30 days, TCEQ will consider and respond to comments, if any, from the public.
On June 5, 2009, the United States District Court issued an order dismissing the lawsuit filed by Goliad County commissioners against Uranium Energy Corp. The lawsuit alleged infractions of the Safe Drinking Water Act nearby to areas where the Company has conducted exploration activities. (Uranium Energy Corp June 8, 2009)
On Feb. 25, 2009, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granted a contested case hearing on Uranium Energy Corp.'s permit application for a class III underground control injection area and an aquifer exemption permit application.
Commissioners granted the contested case hearing requests for Goliad County, its groundwater district, its farm bureau, a volunteer fire department, a church and 43 individuals.
The agency referred the case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings . A preliminary hearing is expected in mid-April, while a final decision will take one year.
(Victoria Advocate Feb. 25, 2009)
> Download PDF file with embedded links to backup documents (Docket No. 2008-1888-UIC) (TCEQ)
On Dec. 2, 2008, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Company has filed all permit applications for In-Situ Recovery of uranium at the Company's flagship Goliad Project in South Texas. On December 1, Uranium Energy filed a Radioactive Material License Application (RMLA) and a Permit by Rule Application (PBRA) with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the final two applications that needed to be filed.
On Sept. 8, 2008, Uranium Energy Corp announced the successful completion of hydrologic testing in the first production area (PA-1) at the Company's Goliad in-situ leach uranium project in South Texas. The Company has now filed a Production Area Authorization (PAA) Application with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The TCEQ earlier issued a Draft Mine Permit to the Company for the Goliad ISR Project, as announced in June this year.
Public comment period open on uranium permit for Goliad uranium in-situ leach project: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality prepared the draft permit which is now available for public comment until July 25, 2008. Uranium Energy Corp. has not yet submitted its affidavit that it has printed a public notice, TCEQ spokeswoman Andrea Morrow said. The company published notice in Goliad's "The Texan Express" on June 25, 2008, and rules state the public has 30 days to comment after that notice. The notice regards the company's application for the Class III injection well proposed permit No. UR03075. The draft permit establishes the conditions under which the facility must operate. The company also requested that TCEQ designate a portion of the Goliad Formation as an exempted aquifer, according to the notice. The exemption is required before the company can operate the proposed injection wells. (Victoria Advocate June 27, 2008)
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued a Draft Mine Permit for Uranium Energy Corp's Goliad in-situ leach uranium project in South Texas. Notice of the draft permit will be published in project-area newspapers for public comment for thirty days. (UEC June 5, 2008)
A lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court by Goliad County and an individual landowner and alleges infractions of the Safe Drinking Water Act nearby to areas where Uranium Energy Corp is currently drilling. (UEC Mar. 19, 2008)
Goliad County plans to sue uranium company for contaminating drinking water: Attorney Jim Blackburn mailed a notice of intent to sue Uranium Energy Corp. The county plans to sue under the Safe Drinking Water Act in federal court in Victoria. “There are a number of water wells that have been rendered undrinkable,” Blackburn, of Blackburn Carter in Houston, said. “The notice claims there was illegal underground injection occurring.” The notice states that wells in the Evangeline Aquifer were contaminated after the uranium company began drilling test holes and extracting samples. It continues to state that boreholes weren't plugged and allowed storm water flowing over land to enter the aquifer. (Victoria Advocate Mar. 1, 2008)
On Oct. 24, 2007, Uranium Energy Corp announced that it has submitted a mine permit application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for in-situ recovery (ISR) of uranium at its Goliad Uranium Project in Goliad County, Texas.
Uranium Energy Corporation has completed the remediation ordered by the Texas Railroad Commission at its uranium exploration site in Goliad County. The RRC "termination of violation notice" dated June 19, 2007, states, "UEC has completed the remedial action required. Specifically, UEC has installed a concrete surface plug at all sites, installed a PVC pipe to mark each borehole location, and removed all drilling mud, cuttings, cement and other debris burying it with no less than one foot of topsoil." (Victoria Advocate July 20, 2007)
Goliad County commissioners want uranium mining activities in Goliad County to "cease and desist" until the mining company is brought into total compliance with recently discovered violations. On Apr. 9, 2007, the commissioners court unanimously approved sending what commissioner Jim Kreneck called a "demand" letter, telling the Texas Railroad Commission to instruct Uranium Energy Corporation to stop mining activities. (Victoria Advocate Apr. 10, 2007)
Uranium Energy Corp. failed to plug all drilling holes and to bury all drilling mud, cuttings, cement and other debris under no less than a foot of topsoil, the Railroad Commission of Texas said when it issued a notice of violation to the company.
The notice of violation followed the inspection in early March, which was prompted by a complaint from James B. Blackburn Jr., representing Goliad County.
"The complaint, received Feb. 6, 2007, alleged that UEC was not disposing drill fluids and potentially harmful cuttings in accordance with ... the permit, and that (these) activities were adversely impacting the area groundwater resources," the railroad commission noted.
(Victoria Advocate Apr. 4, 2007)
The Goliad County Commissioners Court approved the formation of a county uranium research and advisory committee. The committee will be a fact-finding group that will bring recommendations to the commissioners court on how best to deal with the uranium mining that began in the county with the drilling of test wells in May 2006. In October 2006, the court passed a resolution in opposition to uranium mining in the county. (Victoria Advocate Dec. 12, 2006)
Uranium Energy Corp has initiated baseline environmental permitting activities at its 100%-controlled Goliad Project in Goliad County, Texas in order to obtain a mine permit from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ), as well as a Radioactive Materials License (RML) from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). These activities are designed to demonstrate that proposed development and In-Situ Leach (ISL) mining will protect public health and the environment. This analysis includes geological, hydrologic, air and water quality, historical and ecological studies. (Uranium Energy Corp. Nov. 16, 2006)
On Oct. 23, 2006, the Goliad groundwater district put Uranium Energy Corp. on notice. Last week, the groundwater district voted to deny the uranium company a permit to use the water well on the Jacobs property for uranium mining. The well had been registered for use as a livestock well and when its use changed, it lost its grandfathered status. During a public hearing on the permit request, several citizens questioned if other water wells were also being used for uranium mining without a groundwater district permit. (Victoria Advocate Oct. 24, 2006)
On Oct. 17, 2006, the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District denied a permit to operate a water well on property that is being tested for the presence of uranium. (Victoria Advocate Oct. 18, 2006)
On Oct. 9, 2006, the Goliad County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in "firm and absolute opposition to in-situ uranium mining in Goliad County," citing concerns over possible groundwater contamination from the drilling.
"We want to stay on top of this situation, and be on record that we are against them coming in here," said County Judge Harold Gleinser. The judge said there was nothing enforceable or binding about the resolution as far as the uranium mining company was concerned.
Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) began drilling test wells in mid-May 2006 off Duderstadt Road near the Weser community about two miles from the DeWitt County line. UEC has leased about 2,000 acres in that area. Late September 2006 the company confirmed the presence of uranium at their test sites.
(Victoria Advocate Oct. 13, 2006)
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Uranium production starts at Palangana in situ leach mine: On Nov. 17, 2010, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the company has started uranium production using in-situ recovery (ISR) methods at the Palangana Project in South Texas. Phase I of three separate development phases of the wellfield at Production Area 1 (PAA-1) is 100% complete, with more than 45 injection wells and production wells drilled, cased and tested.
Wellfield development and construction initiated at Palangana: On June 15, 2010, Uranium Energy Corp. announced that the Company recently commenced development of the initial wellfield, Production Area One ("PAA-1"), at the Palangana ISR uranium project located in South Texas. A total of 110 injection and production wells will be drilled, cased and developed within PAA-1. At this time the Company has also initiated development and drilling of a non-hazardous disposal well to be active when the Palangana project commences operations scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year. The disposal well will be drilled to approximately 6,300 ft.
Palangana in situ leach uranium project receives final permit: On Jan. 20, 2010, Uranium Energy Corp announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has granted a Radioactive Materials License (RML) for the Company's Palangana ISR Uranium Project located in Duval County, Texas.
Draft license for Palangana in-situ leach uranium project open for comment:
On Nov. 20, 2009, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a Notice of Completion of Technical Review on Proposed Radioactive Material License Number R06062.
South Texas Mining Venture, L.L.P. (STMV) has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a radioactive material license to authorize in situ leach extraction and recovery of uranium, concurrent production of by-product material, and disposal of fluid by-product material by deep well injection. The proposed facility is located approximately six (6) miles North of Benavides, Texas on Ranch Road 3196 in Duval County, Texas.
The TCEQ Executive Director has completed the technical review of the application and prepared a draft license and a draft environmental analysis. The draft license if approved, would establish the conditions under which the facility must operate. The Executive Director has made a preliminary decision that this license, if issued, meets all statutory and regulatory requirements.
You may submit public comments or request a public meeting about this application. The TCEQ may grant a contested case hearing on this application if a written hearing request is timely submitted.
All written public comments and requests must be submitted within 30 days from the date of newspaper publication (?!?) of this notice.
> View TCEQ Notice: Texas Register, December 4, 2009, Volume 34 Number 49, Pages 8581-8902, In Addition
On February 28, 2007, South Texas Mining Venture, LLP, submitted an application to the Texas Department of State Health Services for a new Radioactive Material Handling License at La Palangana Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project in Duval County, Texas. South Texas Mining Venture, LLP, plans to recover uranium from the La Palangana Project at a rate of 1,000,000 pounds U3O8 (385 t U) per year beginning in the first half of 2008. The uranium loaded resin will be processed at the Hobson facility. (Energy Metals Corporation April 4, 2007)
On July 18, 2006, Energy Metals Corporation announced that EMC's 99% owned South Texas Mining Venture is in the process of permitting the La Palangana mine site for construction of an in-situ uranium operation to supply feed for EMC-STMV's already licensed Hobson processing facility in Karnes County, Texas. Required site characterization studies are underway at La Palangana to allow for the permitting of the mine facility.
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