Posted 16 May 2007 - 11:37 AM
URME up 14% today on news:
Uranium Energy Corp Provides an Update on its Goliad Operations9:02a ET May 16, 2007 (Market Wire)
Uranium Energy Corp (OTCBB: URME)(FRANKFURT: U6Z)(BERLIN: U6Z) is pleased to provide its fourth update this year of progress at its 100%-owned Goliad Project in South Texas.
Texas Railroad Commission Concludes Drilling Activities Did Not Contaminate Goliad Wells, Dismisses Complaint
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the regulatory authority that oversees mineral exploration in the state of Texas, recently concluded its investigation into complaints that the Company's drilling activities have contaminated certain water wells, finding that Uranium Energy Corp's Goliad Project drilling has not contaminated the wells or the related aquifer.
The investigation was conducted after the Company voluntarily issued an invitation to county representatives to participate in collecting baseline samples of regional water wells earlier this year as part of the Company's mine permit preparations. The sampling indicated the presence of naturally-occurring radionuclides in groundwater within the area of review, and some Goliad citizens suggested that perhaps the Company's drilling was causing the "contamination". However, according to the assessment by RRC's groundwater hydrologist, "...no groundwater contamination has occurred as a result of the drilling activities." RRC issued its conclusions in a letter, stating that it considers the investigation of the alleged groundwater issues to be closed.
The RRC explained that it is not geophysically plausible for groundwater to be distributed by drilling activities, and that the groundwater radioactivity that had been identified is from natural sources in contact with the sampled wells themselves.
Subsequent testing of other water wells by the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District has confirmed the presence of naturally-occurring radionuclides in other areas of the County, which is expected since Goliad County is host to several known uranium deposits, some of which have been explored in the past by other companies.
Company Targets Compliance with RRC Surface Drill Hole Restoration Requirements Before June 15th
In investigating the water quality issues (see above), RRC also examined the Company's exploration procedures as to compliance with the Company's exploration permits and applicable regulations.
The results of the inspection showed that although there was no imminent danger or harm, there were procedural matters with respect to which RRC found the Company to be non-compliant. Consequently, RRC issued a notice of violation regarding these matters. Required remedial action was limited to following the approved plugging procedures, marking the exact location of each borehole, and following RRC instructions regarding surface restoration.
The Company has been working diligently on these measures, and is working closely with RRC officials. The Company estimates that it will be in full compliance with the RRC prior to the deadline of June 15, 2007.
Mine Permit Process Advancing
The Company reports the following progress on its permitting operations at the Goliad Project:
- Quality assurance and quality control measures have been completed on water well samples;
- Holt Engineering has been engaged by the Company to perform geotechnical studies;
- A qualified soil scientist has completed a draft map of the entire project site, as part of the soils and sediments study;
- Progress has been made on the economic impact study and the ecological study; and
- Progress has been made on the mine plan and process facility designs, with the first full drafts anticipated to be completed by month-end.
Peace
johngeorge