Associated Press - May 9, 2008 4:15 PM ET
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Indications from mining companies are that Wyoming could see up to 50 new uranium operations in the state.
Wyoming has just one active uranium mine now. Demand for uranium has increased prices substantially over the last few years, prompting renewed interest in uranium mining across the West.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has received 30 applications for new uranium mines, restarts of closed mines and expansions of existing mines. Twenty of them are in Wyoming. The others are in Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona and Montana.
Don McKenzie of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality says he is redistributing three full-time positions within his land quality division to handle the increased uranium workload.