GILLETTE - A Canadian company is planning an in-situ uranium mine on a ranch in southeastern Campbell County.

It would be Uranium One's first in-situ uranium project. The process involves pumping chemicals into groundwater to extract uranium from underground ore.

While some have voiced concern that the process could contaminate groundwater, Uranium One vice president Donna Wichers said the process must comply with numerous government regulations.

She said there has never been a case of in-situ uranium mining polluting groundwater. She also said the process produces no pollution or greenhouse gases.

The Campbell County Commission has endorsed the project. So too have Wyoming U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who've written letters of support.

Freudenthal, however, also has said that in-situ uranium mining needs to be closely monitored to watch for underground pollution.

Construction is expected to begin in a year, followed by production after another year.

Uranium One said it has leased about 3,500 acres for the project but plans to disturb only 200 acres. The company is waiting for a Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality permit before it can start construction.

Uranium One is a global producer of uranium that formed from several other uranium companies in 2003. The company has assets in each of the world's five largest uranium resource areas: United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Kazakhstan.