08/27/2026
Repost Dakota Rural Action
Update on Craven Canyon
â˘Uranium Updates: Craven Canyon exploration permit stalled & Powertech looks to resubmit Dewey-Burdock mine applications
đA handful of intervenors on the Craven Canyon-area uranium exploration case attended the August 20th Board of Minerals meeting in Pierre. At issue was a planned executive session between Board members and their attorney, who'd indicated that the private discussion could include everything from re-starting the hearing to location and scheduling--all behind closed doors. đŞStrong public comment both in-person and remote urged the Board to limit their private decision-making and to include all parties in discussions that affect the case. The hour-long executive session resulted in a single decision: that the board will seek a declaratory judgement about interpretive services for the Lakota-speaking parties. It's not clear whether that judicial ruling is intended to include the entirety of the contested case proceedings or simply when the case is being discussed at a regular meeting. Stay tuned for updates!
đAlso on the agenda: Powertech/EnCore Energy sought Board approval of an engineering contractor to review and update their socioeconomic impact study--one requirement for consideration of their Dewey-Burdock uranium mine permit application. The application was originally submitted in 2014 and has been on hold since state agencies decided to hold off their process until the company had all Federal permits in hand. It's not entirely clear that they do, but the company is seeking to move the state process forward, and has also withdrawn their earlier water permit applications in order to re-apply under new state laws that severely limit who can challenge the taking of public water.
