Crow Butte: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Uranium mine in Nebraska, United States}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox mine |
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| name |
| name = Crow Butte Mine |
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| image = |
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| image =Drilling for Uranium at the Wohlers Ranch (14492253198).jpg |
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| width |
| width = |
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| caption = |
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| caption =Drilling for uranium on Crow Butte's Marsland Expansion Area |
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| pushpin_map = Nebraska |
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| lat = 42.645 |
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| pushpin_label = Crow Butte Mine |
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| long = -103.357 |
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nebraska |
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| place = |
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| ⚫ | |||
| place = [[Dawes County, Nebraska|Dawes County]], near [[Crawford, Nebraska|Crawford]] |
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| subdivision_type = [[U.S. state|State]] |
| subdivision_type = [[U.S. state|State]] |
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| state/province |
| state/province = Nebraska |
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| country |
| country = United States |
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| owner |
| owner = [[Cameco|Cameco Resources]] |
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| official website = www.cameco.com |
| official website = www.cameco.com |
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| discovery year = 1980 |
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| acquisition year = 1998 |
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| stock_exchange = |
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| products = [[Uranium]] as U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> |
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| stock_code = |
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| ⚫ | |||
| products = [[Uranium]] |
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| amount = 0.4 million pounds U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| opening year = 1991 |
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| amount = |
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| closing year = 2018 |
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| closing year = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Crow Butte''' is a [[uranium mining]] operation located {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in|0}} southeast of the city of [[Crawford, Nebraska|Crawford]] in [[Dawes County, Nebraska|Dawes County]], [[Nebraska]], United States. [[Cameco Corporation]] owns and operates Crow Butte through its wholly owned subsidiary, Crow Butte Resources, Inc. |
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{{Refimprove|date=January 2009}} |
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'''Crow Butte''' is a [[Uranium mining|uranium mining]] operation located in [[Nebraska]], [[United States|U.S.A.]] |
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==History== |
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Crow Butte is a roll-front [[Uranium ore deposits|uranium deposit]] discovered in 1980. [[Uranium]] is recovered using [[in-situ leach|In-Situ Recovery (ISR)]] mining methods. As of December 31, 2007, proven and probable reserves are 1,467,500 tonnes at an average grade of 0.18% U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub>. |
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Crow Butte was the first uranium mine developed in Nebraska. It was discovered in 1980 and begin production in April 1991. It is a roll-front [[Uranium ore deposits|uranium deposit]], mined using [[in-situ leach|in-situ recovery (ISR)]]. Due to weakening of the uranium market, production ceased in 2018. The project is under [[care and maintenance]] pending an improvement in uranium prices.<ref name="cameco-2019">{{cite web |title=2019 Annual Report |url=https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets-us-west-2/annual/cameco-2019-annual-report.pdf |publisher=Cameco Corporation |access-date=29 November 2020 |location=Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |date=7 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Crow Butte|url=https://www.camecoresources.com/business/crow-butte|publisher=Cameco Resources|accessdate=16 October 2016}}</ref> |
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==Description== |
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The Crow Butte operation is owned by Cameco Resources Inc., a subsidiary of [[Cameco|Cameco Corporation]]. |
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At Crow Butte, uranium ore is mined in place underground in well fields. Uranium is extracted from basal [[Chadron Formation]] sandstone aquifers {{convert|400|-|800|ft}} below the surface by the in-situ recovery process. A solution of water, oxygen and [[Sodium bicarbonate|sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)]] is injected into the orebody, which liberates the uranium from its sandstone host and allows recovery by production wells. The solution is pumped to the surface and uranium is removed at the processing plant. The mine's processing plants and well fields have a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds per year. |
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During 2015 Crow Butte produced 0.4 million pounds U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub>, 33% less than 2014, due to a declining head grade. Between 2002 and 2015, the Crow Butte operation produced 10.1 million pounds of U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub>.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crow Butte - Summary|url=http://www.cameco.com/mining/crow_butte/|publisher=Cameco Corporation|accessdate=2012-06-11|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125232535/http://www.cameco.com/mining/crow_butte/|archivedate=2009-01-25}}</ref><ref name=annual2015/> |
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== |
==Resources== |
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As of 31 December 2019 the [[Mineral resource classification#Mineral resources|measured and indicated resources]] at Crow Butte were 13.9 million pounds of U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> at a grade of 0.25%. The developed uranium deposit at Crow Butte has been progressively depleted by production.<ref name=annual2015>{{cite web|title=2015 Annual Report |url=https://www.cameco.com/annual_report/2015/|publisher=Cameco Corporation |accessdate=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Update to the Community|url=http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets-us-west-2/7_Essential_Facts_Crow_Butte_2015.pdf|publisher=Cameco Resources|accessdate=16 October 2016|date=May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116225610/http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets-us-west-2/7_Essential_Facts_Crow_Butte_2015.pdf|archive-date= 16 November 2016}}</ref> |
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===License expansion=== |
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| ⚫ | |||
To allow the mine plant to continue operating, three new expansion sites are under application for license review by the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission|US Nuclear Regulatory Commission]], all within several miles of the plant. Material from the three sites would be transported to the central plant at Crow Butte for final processing. In 2015, the [[Oglala Sioux Tribe]] lodged six objections with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board against the expansion of the mine's operating license to include the Marsland Expansion Area (south of the current site), claiming Crow Butte was a sacred site and within their treaty territory. Construction at Marsland create surface disturbance of 600 acres, with future construction disturbing another 1,160 acres.<ref name=star>{{cite news |last1=North |first1=Irene |title=Uranium plant looks to expand operations |url=https://starherald.com/news/local/uranium-plant-looks-to-expand-operations/article_a27f664d-0d84-5c75-b203-e0846b2e3ddf.html |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=Star Herald |date=25 January 2016 |location=Scottsbluff, NE}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rempp |first1=Kerri |title=Crow Butte license partial ruling issued |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/community/chadron/crow-butte-license-partial-ruling-issued/article_54d292b2-2761-11e6-90b3-23c3761d98d8.html |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=Rapid City Journal |date=31 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rempp |first1=Kerri |title=Tribal members speak against mining |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/community/chadron/news/tribal-members-speak-against-mining/article_1b7303a9-856b-53bf-8f9e-a55e64a94544.html |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=Rapid City Journal |date=5 February 2019}}</ref><ref name=rcj>{{cite news |last1=Rempp |first1=Kerri |title=Mine awaits ASLB decision |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/community/chadron/news/mine-awaits-aslb-decision/article_b3fb1070-2d8e-56b9-845f-cde4e6255d86.html |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=Rapid City Journal |date=5 February 2019}}</ref> |
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==Ownership== |
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=External links== |
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The Crow Butte facility was originally developed by Wyoming Fuel Corporation in 1986 and subsequently acquired and operated by Ferret Exploration Company of Nebraska. In 1994, Ferret Exploration Company changed its name to Crow Butte Resources, Inc. In 1998 Crow Butte Resources was acquired by Cameco Resources Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the Canadian company, Cameco Corporation. Cameco is the largest producer of uranium in the US, and accounts for 18% of global uranium production from its mines in Canada, the US and Kazakhstan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crow Butte Uranium Recovery Facility|url=https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/materials/uranium/licensed-facilities/is-crow-butte.pdf|website=Nuclear Regulatory Commission|accessdate=16 October 2016}}</ref> |
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*[http://www.cameco.com/mining/crow_butte/ CAMECO - Crow Butte Operation] |
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*[http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2238&Itemid=1 Environmental groups to fight uranium mine expansion plans] |
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*[http://savecrowbutte.org/ Save Crow Butte] |
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==See also== |
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| ⚫ | |||
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Dawes County, Nebraska]] |
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[[Category:Uranium mines in the United States]] |
[[Category:Uranium mines in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Geology of Nebraska]] |
[[Category:Geology of Nebraska]] |
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[[Category:Solution mines in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Mines in Nebraska]] |
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{{mining-stub}} |
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{{Nebraska-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 03:25, 30 December 2023
.jpg) Drilling for uranium on Crow Butte's Marsland Expansion Area | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Crow Butte Mine Location in Nebraska | |
| Location | Dawes County, near Crawford |
| State | Nebraska |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 42°38′43.62″N 103°21′23.56″W / 42.6454500°N 103.3565444°W |
| Production | |
| Products | Uranium as U3O8 |
| Production | 0.4 million pounds U3O8 |
| Financial year | 2015 |
| History | |
| Discovered | 1980 |
| Opened | 1991 |
| Closed | 2018 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Cameco Resources |
| Website | www.cameco.com |
| Year of acquisition | 1998 |
Crow Butte is a uranium mining operation located four miles (6 km) southeast of the city of Crawford in Dawes County, Nebraska, United States. Cameco Corporation owns and operates Crow Butte through its wholly owned subsidiary, Crow Butte Resources, Inc.
History
[edit]Crow Butte was the first uranium mine developed in Nebraska. It was discovered in 1980 and begin production in April 1991. It is a roll-front uranium deposit, mined using in-situ recovery (ISR). Due to weakening of the uranium market, production ceased in 2018. The project is under care and maintenance pending an improvement in uranium prices.[1][2]
Description
[edit]At Crow Butte, uranium ore is mined in place underground in well fields. Uranium is extracted from basal Chadron Formation sandstone aquifers 400–800 feet (120–240 m) below the surface by the in-situ recovery process. A solution of water, oxygen and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is injected into the orebody, which liberates the uranium from its sandstone host and allows recovery by production wells. The solution is pumped to the surface and uranium is removed at the processing plant. The mine's processing plants and well fields have a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds per year.
During 2015 Crow Butte produced 0.4 million pounds U3O8, 33% less than 2014, due to a declining head grade. Between 2002 and 2015, the Crow Butte operation produced 10.1 million pounds of U3O8.[3][4]
Resources
[edit]As of 31 December 2019 the measured and indicated resources at Crow Butte were 13.9 million pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 0.25%. The developed uranium deposit at Crow Butte has been progressively depleted by production.[4][5]
License expansion
[edit]To allow the mine plant to continue operating, three new expansion sites are under application for license review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, all within several miles of the plant. Material from the three sites would be transported to the central plant at Crow Butte for final processing. In 2015, the Oglala Sioux Tribe lodged six objections with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board against the expansion of the mine's operating license to include the Marsland Expansion Area (south of the current site), claiming Crow Butte was a sacred site and within their treaty territory. Construction at Marsland create surface disturbance of 600 acres, with future construction disturbing another 1,160 acres.[6][7][8][9]
Ownership
[edit]The Crow Butte facility was originally developed by Wyoming Fuel Corporation in 1986 and subsequently acquired and operated by Ferret Exploration Company of Nebraska. In 1994, Ferret Exploration Company changed its name to Crow Butte Resources, Inc. In 1998 Crow Butte Resources was acquired by Cameco Resources Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the Canadian company, Cameco Corporation. Cameco is the largest producer of uranium in the US, and accounts for 18% of global uranium production from its mines in Canada, the US and Kazakhstan.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "2019 Annual Report" (PDF). Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Cameco Corporation. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ "Crow Butte". Cameco Resources. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ "Crow Butte - Summary". Cameco Corporation. Archived from the original on 2009-01-25. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
- ^ a b "2015 Annual Report". Cameco Corporation. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "Update to the Community" (PDF). Cameco Resources. May 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ North, Irene (25 January 2016). "Uranium plant looks to expand operations". Star Herald. Scottsbluff, NE. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Rempp, Kerri (31 May 2016). "Crow Butte license partial ruling issued". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Rempp, Kerri (5 February 2019). "Tribal members speak against mining". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Rempp, Kerri (5 February 2019). "Mine awaits ASLB decision". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ "Crow Butte Uranium Recovery Facility" (PDF). Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Retrieved 16 October 2016.