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

URANIUM MINING WASTE, RISK PERCEPTION BY POPULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION IN PORTUGAL

26 Jun 2018, 14:20

20m

M3 (Vienna)

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

Speaker

Prof. Fernando P. Carvalho (Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica,)

Description

Mining of radioactive ores for radium and uranium production took place in Portugal from 1908 up to 2001. Over the years, several companies produced salts of radioactive elements according to mining laws at the time. Following closure of the last uranium mine and milling facilities at Urgeiriça, local populations and the municipalities claimed for surveillance and responsibility on the legacy of uranium waste. An environmental radioactivity assessment and a public health assessment were carried out in the years 2003-2005. Based on the results and recommendations, the Government approved an environmental remediation plan. Local communities have been listened, intervened in the process, and contributed to solve radiation protection and environmental contamination issues. Up to the present, more than half of the former uranium sites were remediated, milling waste confined, mine water treatment stations installed or upgraded. At the same time a radiation monitoring programme of uranium areas is carried out by the LPSR/IST and the results annually delivered to Government and rendered public. Results has shown effective reduction of ambient radiation doses, treatment of acid and radioactive mine drainage before discharge, and abatement of radiation exposure in several areas.