Speaker
Description
Indonesia, one of the world's top producers of minerals faces a significant pollution problem from mining activities. Some types of mining may produce waste that contains Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). There are potential solutions to mitigate the negative impact of mining. One possible method is valorization of waste materials as building materials. With increasing research related to this application, it is encouraging to need to review the interrelationships between safety and sustainability. The review analyzed several studies that were conducted in Indonesia and examined if radiation safety was taken into account. The study focuses on three types of mining waste: tin, phosphate, and bauxite. It has been found that certain mining wastes can meet the necessary standards to be used as building materials while also meeting the radiation safety requirements. However, more studies are needed to link the strength of building materials with radiation safety. Furthermore, the review highlights the lack of specific regulations in Indonesia that govern the reuse of mining waste containing NORM as building materials. Overall, the review provides valuable insights into the importance of sustainable and safe management of NORM-containing waste to minimize environmental and health risks.
