The situation of uranium mines that have not been properly closed is a health risk for the population and has a serious impact on the environment.
health risk for the population and generates a serious impact on the environment.
Having crushed tons of rock, countless metals have been released, not only radioactive, but also radioactive metals.
not only radioactive, but also those of a geological formation that was confined for millions of years.
confined for millions of years.
There are two scenarios to consider:
First, the volumes of accumulated radioactive waste are too large to dispose of at a costly
large to be disposed of at a reasonable cost.
Second, other safer disposal sites do not exist, or are not practical.
are impractical.
During the 1990s, many of the older uranium mines were closed due to reduced demand for radioactive waste.
due to a reduction in uranium demand and an increase in overall supply. The
The resulting low prices and the cost of the additional measures that needed to be taken to meet
to meet society’s higher expectations in the area of radiation and environmental protection.
radiation and environmental protection meant that uranium production in many low-grade mines stopped
production in many low-grade mines was no longer lucrative. Moreover, this economic consideration has
Moreover, this economic consideration has further complicated site remediation.
Although it is likely that some of these mines and processing plants will be brought back into operation with the
While some of these mines and processing plants are likely to come back into operation as demand and prices rise, many of them will close for good, and it will be necessary to
will close permanently, and will need to be decommissioned and disposed of. As this
As this situation has arisen in a relatively short time frame, limited resources have been devoted to modifying or even protecting
resources have been devoted to modifying, or even protecting, contaminated areas in our country. The
factors listed below contribute to the increased risk of radioactive contamination.
radioactive contamination:
- Prolonged operational periods contribute to an increased risk of
contamination; - The higher the ore grade, the higher the radioactive dose intensity of the waste; – Natural weather conditions (e.g., rain, rain, snow, snow)
natural climatic conditions (e.g. rain, wind) considerably increase the dispersion and
natural climatic conditions (e.g. rain, wind) considerably increase dispersion and contamination; - Countries with limited resources can devote only marginal resources to environmental restoration.
countries with limited resources can devote only marginal resources to environmental restoration.