Environmental radiological impact associated with non-uranium mining industries: a proposal for screening criteria

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 1 - 17
• Main Authors: Pires do Rio, M.A., Amaral, E.C.S., Fernandes, H.M., Rochedo, E.R.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; biobium; Biological and medical sciences; Biological effects of radiation; Brazil; Coal; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment; Environmental; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Forecasting; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Global environmental pollution; Gold; Mining; Niobium; Phosphates; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Radioactive Pollutants; Radioactivity; Radiocontamination; Radiological; Screening; Technologically enhanced; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Water Movements; South America; Brazil; America; Mining; Screening; Environmental; Radiological; Brazil; Technologically enhanced; Radioactivity; Radioactive pollution; Methodology; Legislation; Pollution prevention; Radioactive contamination; Liquid waste; Risk analysis; Ore mining; Old mine; Environment impact; Mine; Health hazards; Solid waste; Decision criterion; Dosimetry; Acid mine drainage; Mining industry; Mining waste; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0265-931X(01)00023-6

Niobium, phosphate, coal and gold mining facilities have been selected as case studies with the aim of identifying possible sources of radiological impact during and after cessation of industrial operations. The results have shown that acid drainage, as well as chemical processing of mineral ores, constitute relevant impact indicators for present-day and future scenarios. The possible use of solid wastes abandoned at the end of the operations represents a long-term radiological concern. Therefore, it is necessary that Brazilian legislation for environmental licensing be revised taking into account the potential environmental and radiological impacts caused by these industries and establishing remedial procedures for waste storage areas in the existing sites. The indicators developed and procedures carried out can be used in screening for decisions on the adoption of regulatory requirements for practices at such types of installations.