The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has temporarily put on hold Powertech Uranium’s license to operate its proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium mine near Edgemont in southwestern South Dakota.

The ruling was issued in response to the requests filed by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and other intervenors.

"This temporary stay is intended to prevent any immediate and irreparable harm to any cultural or historic resources caused by earthwork or ground disturbance within the Dewey-Burdock sites," the ruling stated.

"Depending on the Board’s ruling on Intervenors’ stay motions, this temporary stay will either be lifted or continue in effect pending completion of the evidentiary hearing on the admitted contentions associated with Powertech’s license application."

The board said that the decision to lift or continue the stay will be taken after hearing oral arguments.

Located in Custer and Fall River Counties, the proposed Dewey-Burdock project is about thirteen miles northwest of Edgemont.

Last month, the NRC issued a Final Source and Byproduct Materials License for the Dewey-Burdock project.