International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Exploration, Mining, Production, Supply and Demand, Economics and Environmental Issues (URAM-2018)

A RISK BASED APPROACH TO URANIUM MINING REHABILITATION

26 Jun 2018, 15:20

20m

M3 (Vienna)

ORAL Track 10. Health, safety, environment and social responsibility Health, Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility

Speaker

Mr Keith Tayler (Australian Government)

Description

The Supervising Scientist is established to protect the environment from the effects of uranium mining in Northern Australia, including overseeing the operation and closure of the Ranger uranium mine. Ranger has operated since 1980 and is surrounded by the dual World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Uranium milling operations at Ranger must cease by 2021, with rehabilitation work to be completed by 2026. A risk-based program of assessment and research has been developed by the Supervising Scientist Branch to ensure the protection of the environment throughout the decommissioning and rehabilitation process, between now and 2026. This presentation will provide details of the risk assessment and planning work undertaken by the Supervising Scientist Branch to systematically identify the knowledge needed to ensure environmental protection, the project work required to address these needs, align these with the mine rehabilitation schedule and inform the regulatory assessment process.