XA0103131

URANIUM MINING AND HEAP LEACHING IN INDIA AND RELATED

SAFETY MEASURES — A CASE STUDY OF JAJAWAL MINES

V.P. SAXENA
Atomic Minerals Division, Department of Atomic Energy,
Uniara Garden, Jaipur

S.C. VERMA
Atomic Minerals Division, Department of Atomic Energy
Civil Lines, Nagpur

India

Abstract

Exploration and exploitation of uranium involves drilling, mining, milling and extraction processes including
heap leaching in some cases. At the exploration stage, the country's laws related to statutory environmental
clearance covering forest and sanctuaries or Coastal Regulatory Zones (CRZ) are: equally applicable for atomic
minerals. At the developmental mining or commercial exploitation stage in addition to the environmental impact
assessment, the provisions of Atomic Energy (working of Mines, Minerals and handling of Prescribed
Substances) Rules 1984 are also to be followed which covers radiation monitoring, pollution control and other
safety measures which are enforced by licensing authorities and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of
India. In India, Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar in Singhbhum Thrust Belt (STB), Asthota and Khiya in Siwaliks,
Domiasiat in Cretaceous sandstones, Bodal and Jajawal in Precambrian crystallines, are some of the centres,
where mining has been carried out up to various underground levels. Substantial amount of dust and radon gas
are generated during mining and milling operations. Though uranium mining is considered as hazardous for
contamination by radionuclides, it is observed that many non-uranium mines have registered up to 100 mWL
radon concentration, e.g. copper mines in STB area show up to 900 mewl in a few cases. Compared to this the
Uranium mines in India have not shown any increase over the limits prescribed by AERB. Specific problems
associated with mining include release of radon and other radioactive pollutants like Th-230, Ra-226, Pb-210 and
Po-210, substantial dust generation, ground water contamination, proximity of population to working mines and
environmental surveillance. These problems are adequately handled by periodical monitoring of various
radiological parameters such as radon daughter working level, long lived alpha activity and concentration of
radionuclides in gaseous, liquid and solid medium. Pre-project and post-operational data collections both in the
project areas and in the surrounding drainage systems are mandatory and overviewed by AERB before clearance.
In Jajawal underground mines in Central India, the radiation level is registered at 0.12-0.25 mR/hr and radon
daughter working level is measures at 0.005 to 0.015 WL for air. These levels have shown an increase of 15 to
20% during the operations. About 1000 tonnes of low grade ore was heap leached on the surface as technology
demonstration project. Measurements of water in pre-heap leaching stage, have indicated concentrations of
different nuclides at 0.90 mg/cu.m. (U Nat.), 35 bq/cu.m. (Ra-226), 33 bq/cu.m. (Th-230) and <2 bq/cu.m. (Po-
210). Long lived alpha activity in and around heap leaching site has been measured at 0.13 to 0.38 bq/cu.m
during the process of operation. Post operational biological uptake of radionuclides, viz. U (natural) : 0.057
mg/kg; Ra-226 : 1.69 Bq/kg; Th-230 : 5.13 Bq/kg and Po-210 : 2.98 Bq/kg, show an increase of 20 to 30%
above the pre-operational measurements. The radionuclide related pollution could be contained to manageable
limits by current strategy of ventilation of underground mines, disposal by isolation and burial of waste, use of
wet scrubbers, adding neutralizing agents to tailing liquids, besides following the principle of ALARA.

1. INTRODUCTION

Uranium deposits in India are known in several geological settings and amongst them, vein
type, sandstone type and unconformity-related, are the most important. The deposits of low to
medium grade (0.03-0.1%) and moderate to low tonnage are known to occur in different

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geological periods commencing from Lower Proterozoic to Middle Miocene as at Jaduguda,
Bhatin, Narwapahar in the Proterozoic Singhbhum Thrust Belt (STB), Bodal and Jajawal in
Precambrian crystallines, Asthota and Khiya in the Miocene Siwalik sandstones, Domiasiat in
Cretaceous sandstones. Uranium mining has been carried out up to different stages such as
exploratory and production at different places. Production mining of uranium ore at present is
essentially confined to some deposits of Singhbhum Trust Belt (STB), namely Jaduguda,
Bhatin and Narwapahar. Besides, the uranium mining, heap leaching operations and milling
have also been carried at certain places.

The successive stages of exploration leading up to the final exploitation of uranium ores,
require stringent implementation of different statutory clearances and adherence to such
regulations has been an endeavour of utmost importance both by Government Agencies as
well as by Non-Governmental Organizations. Atomic minerals industry is also governed by
the country's laws related to statutory environmental clearance covering forests and
sanctuaries or Coastal Regulatory Zones. Developmental/exploratory mining and commercial
mining are governed by the provisions of Atomic Energy Rules, 1984 (AER), besides the
stipulation of environmental impact assessment as applied under Environmental Protection
Act, 1986 (EPA). EPA mandates for the preparation of the Environmental Management Plan
(EMP) to satisfy the statutory provisions of the Ministry of Environment and Forest. AER
stipulates radiation monitoring, pollution control and other safety measures which are
enforced by licensing authorities and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India.

2. SAFETY PROBLEMS IN URANIUM MINES

Uranium mining besides affecting radiation levels and dust levels, also influences the
environment in several ways such as noise pollution, air pollution, degradation of land and
environment by contamination of ground water, surface water and soil. Atomic Minerals
Division (AMD) has undertaken the task of generating baseline data on all the projects for
better environmental management. Specific problems associated with uranium mining include
release of radon and other hazardous radioactive pollutants, besides those mentioned above.
These problems are adequately handled by periodic monitoring of various radiological
parameters such as radon daughter working level, long-lived alpha activity and concentration
of radio-nuclides in gaseous, liquid and solid medium. These safety measures are enforced by
AERB through constant monitoring during different stages of mining and milling operations.

Radium present in the ore is the major source of radon in mines. Radon produced by the decay
of radium located in the ore matrix moves out by recoil into pore spaces. This locked up radon
is released during fresh blasting. With relatively long half-life of radon, the decay products
seldom reach secular equilibrium with radon. Thus the decaying radionuclides attach to
available surfaces and form radioactive aerosols. The radon produced by the decay of radium
and radon progeny available as radioactive aerosoles are major pollutants. Thus removal of
these aerosols is an important factor to reduce the health hazard for occupational workers.
This depends on mine layout, ventilation system, concentrations of condensation-nuclei,
aerosol and dust as also on the available exposed mine surfaces. These are best achieved by
proper ventilation, sprinkling of water in the mines along exposed mine surfaces and closures
of unused mine sections. The above measures undertaken in uranium mining industry have
helped in containing the level of radon in mines. Data of some mines is presented in Table I.

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3. RADIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOR NON-URANIUM MINES

Compared to uranium mines, measurements undertaken in some non-uranium mines in India

have brought out an interesting study. The survey was conducted in major mineral mines from
various parts of India [1]. The coal sector has indicated very low radon levels, mostly below
10 mWL. The underground metalliferous mines, in general, have enhanced levels of radon
activity ranging from 10 to 100 mWL. In many copper mines, the air activity levels were
considerably high, ranging from 100 to 300 mWL. Except for one mine each of lead & zinc,
gold and mica, all the mines that exceeded 30 mWL, were copper mines (Table II). hi one
mine, the radon level was as high as 900 mWL.

TABLE I. GROSS RADIATION, RADON AND ITS DAUGHTERS IN AIR AND WATER
AROUND SOME UNDERGROUND URANIUM MINES IN INDIA [MODIFIED AFTER 3].

SI. Area/Deposit External radiation Annual Dose in Water

No. in mines (uSv/hr) mines (uSv/yr)

1. Jaduguda mine, Seepage water from uranium

Bihar mill
U (mg/1) Ra-226 (pCi/1)
0.52 to 3.29 0.82-2.56
2. Jajawal mine, 0.3-1.5 1.6 (External) Radon dissolved in water
Madhya Pradesh 6.1 (Internal) (kBq/cu.m)
7.7 (Total) (60) Mine water 3.8
Well water 1.15
Stream 2.00
3. Bodal mines, 1-1.6 13.0 (External) Radon dissolved in water
Madhya Pradesh 6.8 (Internal) (kBq/cu.m)
19.8 (30) Mine water 1.7
Well water 0.5
Tube well 1.9-4.7
4. Astotha mine, 0.2-2.5 1.40 (External) Radon dissolved in water
Himachal 3.00 (Internal)
Pradesh Spring 0.7
4.40 (30) Stream 0.5

TABLE II. RADON LEVEL-WISE CLASSIFICATION OF NON-URANIUM

UNDERGROUND MINES IN INDIA [1]

S No Average Radon No. of Mines Mineral wise

Level (in WL)
1. Coal - 9, Gold - 3, Manganese - 2, Mica - 4
2. 10-30 Lead & Zinc - 2, Barites - 2, Mica - 2, Manganese - 1
3. 30-1000 Lead & Zinc - 1, Copper - 4, Gold - ]., Mica - 1
4. 100 - 300 Copper - 3
5. >300 (900 m WL) Copper - 1
Total = 36 Mines

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Percaput and collective dose equivalent of 80 mSv/Y and 16 person Sv/Y can be calculated
with an occupancy factory of 0.75 and 2000 working hours per year for an activity level of
900 mWL. Compared to this, the Jaduguda Uranium mine has given percaput and collective
dose equivalent values of 26 mSv/y and 28 person Sv/y, respectively. These observations
clearly indicate that Indian uranium mining industry has been adhering to the mandatory
stipulations enforced by AERB and ICRP [2] by maintaining optimum level of ventilation.

4. SAFETY PARAMETERS IN URANIUM DEPOSITS IN INDIA

Singhbhum Thrust Belt (STB) in Bihar State is a major uranium province. Uranium mining at
Jaduguda, Bhatin and Narwapahar and milling at Jaduguda have been in progress for the last
many years. The ground level exposure rates vary in the range of 0.4 to 46 uR/hr which are
below the maximum permissible limit approved by International Commission on Radiological
Protection [2].

Sandstones of Upper Cretaceous period host uranium mineralisation at Domiasiat, Meghalaya

State with near surface manifestation of flat and tabular shaped body [3]. Exploration has been
carried out in this area. The background radiation levels in the surroundings of the area, range
from 4 to 12 uR/hr and rise up to 200 uR/hr near the exposures of ore body. In general, the
surface radiation levels measured in the area are much lower than 1000 uR/hr, the derived
limit for radiation exposure level considered for 2000 hour/year for occupational workers [4].

Besides these areas, exploratory mining has been carried out in several other areas, some of
which are Asthota and Khiya, in Himachal Pradesh and Bodal in Madhya Pradesh. The
surface radiation exposures in these areas have been within the limits enforced by AERB. The
details concerning these areas are presented in Table I.

5. SAFETY MEASURES IN MINES AND HEAP LEACHING PLANT

IN JAJAWAL AREA

Uranium mineralisation in Jajawal area, District Surguja, Madhya Pradesh (Fig. 1) is

associated with hard and compact quartzo-feldspathic cataclasite and moderately hard quartz-
chlorite-biotite schist. Uranium mainly occurs as dissemination in the form of pitchblende and
coffinite associated with iron oxide. The Jajawal uranium deposit was taken up to test the
feasibility of extraction of uranium, before full fledged commercial exploitation by mining
and milling. Exploratory mining was therefore taken up by development of underground
levels. Heap leaching was also initiated on the stacked ore. The project aimed at technological
demonstration to recover uranium by bulk ore heap leaching near the mine site.

The uranium ore generated as a result of exploratory mining was treated on a pilot plant scale
for the recovery of uranium. Thus heap-stack of 1000 tonnes of ore was subjected to heap
leaching with an objective to establish technological, environmental and economic parameters
for treatment and handling of low grade and small tonnage ore deposits located in remote
areas where establishing commercial mining and milling facility may not be viable. The heap
leaching plant was established in the proximity of mines area. While treating the ore for heap
leaching, no crushing of ore was undertaken and run-off-mine containing about 5% finer
particles of 105 micron or less size was treated directly. In this way, hazards arising out of fine
dust in environment and subsequent disposal of large quantity of silt size tailings, have been
avoided.

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 [ASTHOTA 1

POST CAINOZOIC 4 PROTEROZOIC SEDIMENTS < MIDDLE-UPPER )

CAINOZOIC GRANITE PROTEROZOIC GRANITOIDS

CAINOZOIC SEDIMENTS
[_! LOWER PROTEROZOIC SUPRACRUSTALS

ARCHEAN 6NEISSIC GRANITOIDS «

MESOZOIC & PALEOZOIC VOLCAN1CS
HIGH GRADE GRANULITE

PALEOZOIC & MESOZOIC SEDIMENTS

FIG. 1. Geological map of India showing location of uranium mines.

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6. MEASURES IN UNDERGROUND MINE

The hazards due to airborne radiation result from the inhalation of radon, its daughters and
from long-lived alpha emitters present in the mine atmosphere in the form of dust. The radon
progeny accumulate at a very fast speed due to their short half-lives. In order to contain the
build up of short lived daughters, optimum level of ventilation is required to be maintained
[5]. Statutory ventilation requirements demand mine air circulation containing >19% oxygen
and <0.5% carbondioxide. It has been observed that air required to control heat, dust and
diesel emission is sufficient to remove radon and its daughters.

As per the provisions of ventilation regulations, air requirement is 0.09 to 0.1

cu.m./second/tonne of rock broken per day. In order to contain the radon related hazards, the
intake airways are located outside the ore zones, circulation of air through stopes/working
faces in series is avoided, long period residence of broken ore at underground locations is
avoided, mined out or abandoned parts of mines are sealed to prevent avoidable
contamination and drainage water is kept out of intake airways and working places [7]. The
ventilation measurement in different parts of mines are given in Table EL.

External radiation in the form of beta and gamma emitted from the ore are generally high near
the ore body (Table IV). However, the radiation level is generally less than 1 mR/hr. In the
area surrounding the mine and heap leaching plant, the gamma radiation level vary from 0.016
to 0.055 mR/hr (Fig. 2).

TABLE ffl. VENTILATION MEASUREMENT IN JAJAWAL MINES [MODIFIED AFTER 6]

Location Air Velocity Cross Section Quantity of air

m/h sq.m. cu.m/min

Adit-I Xcut 7.0 5.175 1071.20

W-75 winze 158.6 4.84 767.60
Underground drill site in drive 345 0.159 54.80
Adit-2 exhaust Ventilation Shaft 228 5.05 1151.40

TABLE IV. RADIATION LEVEL IN JAJAWAL MINE [MODIFIED AFTER 6]

Location Radiation Level, uR/hr

Adit-I mouth 18-22

Cross Cut Adit I 20-40
E-17 Station 40-50
Winze - 75 100-200
Underground drill site 40-50
Over ore dump 200-500
Over waste dump 75-80
Adit-II near Ventilation Station 200-300
2 km west of mine area 10-18

206
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GEOLOGICAL INDEX

I SOIL SAMPLE LOCATION

WATER SAMPLE LOCATION
QUARTZ-MICA SCHIST
QU&RTZO FELSPATHIC CATACLASITE
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| LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL-SITE-B_
I RADON CONTENT IN AIR ( p. Ci/m3 )
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Pi A m ATI A W (/ m R/hr.)
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O
7. MEASURES IN HEAP LEACHING PLANT

Heap leaching was carried out on a 1.5 m high heap loaded on a bitumen coated pad. Non-
metallic wiggler type sprinklers were used to sprinkle the lixiviant evenly on the stack.
Manganese dioxide was used as an oxidant and sulphuric acid was used as leachant. The
process consisted of sprinkling of acidified water on the ore stack, selective adsorption on the
ion exchange resin, elution and precipitation of eluates for uranium recovery [8]. Agitators
and Nutsche filters were used for effective agitation and filtration of sodium diumate slurry, hi
order to contain hazardous effects, high importance was given to constant environmental
monitoring by analysis of air, water and soil samples. Seepage monitoring wells were made
around the heap leaching plant. The production of liquid effluents was minimized by adopting
zero discharge technique [8]. The solid and liquid effluents were treated separately to bring
down the concentration of radionuclides to within the prescribed limits for discharge.

The filtrate after removal of yellow cake, was treated with barium chloride and the barium-
radium sulphate was stored in the abandoned part of the mines. The effluent, so generated,
was re-acidified to 7-8 pH and discharged after dilution to levels within prescribed limits
[5,9]. The analysis of effluent discharge is given in Table V. After neutralization, the tailings
containing low concentration of radio-nuclides (Table VI) were mixed with lime and buried in
trench with embankments. The tailings were covered by 30 cm thick soil and thoroughly
compacted to ensure that material has low water permeability [5]. Post burial monitoring
wells were made around the disposal site for environmental monitoring. Alternatively,
abandoned parts of mines are also available for dumping of waste in future.

hi order to monitor the environmental impact of the heap leaching operation, radiation surveys
were undertaken around the heap leaching plant at pre-operational stage as well as during and
post operational stage. The monitoring involved measurement of (1) gamma-radiation level
(2) radon daughter working levels (3) long lived alpha activity (4) radionuclides in stream and
well water samples and (5) radionuclides in soil samples in and around the heap leaching
plant. Besides this personal dosimeter devises (TLD) were provided to occupational workers
to monitor external dose [7, 10].

Pre-operational gamma radiation levels around heap leaching plant vary from 7 to 20 uR/hr.
However, these levels have shown an increase up to 24 uR/hr in the post operation stage
(Table VII) in the surroundings of plant and up to 87 uR/hr within the plant area. In leaching
site these values show variations. Radon daughter working level concentration and long lived
alpha activity show an increase from 10 to 50% in the post operational measurements (Table
VHI). Distribution of radionuclides in water and soil samples around heap leaching plant have
registered marginal variation (Tables DC and X). Plants growing abundantly around heap
leaching site, were analyzed at pre- operational and post-operational stage, for radionuclides.
Papaya Indica near the leaching site has shown increase in radium content (Table XI).

8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Exploratory mining for uranium and heap leaching in Jajawal area has given a new insight for
the technological feasibility for extraction of uranium without bringing radiological damage to
environment. Gamma radiation levels in and around Jajawal are in the range of 10 to 87
uR/hr, and higher near the ore body and working places (250 uR/hr). Even in areas where rich
ore grade is expected it is possible to restrict hazards by controlled exposure and use of
personal dosimeters. Water samples from the streams and wells near the plant as well as in the

208
TABLE V. ANALYSIS OF DISCHARGED EFFLUENTS FROM HEAP LEACHING PLANT AT
JAJAWAL

S.No. Component Quantity

1. pH 7.3
2. U <1 ppb
3. Mn <0.1 ppm
4. Fe <0.2 ppm
5. SO4 65 ppm
6. Cl 45 mg/litre
7. Conductance 1.3mmhos
8. Na 17 ppm
9. K 10 ppm
10. TDS 600 mg/litre
11. Ca 48 ppm
12. Mg 19 ppm
13. As <0.1ppm
14. Ra-226 11.2Bq/cu.m
15. Th-230 <2.0Bq/cu.m
16. Po-210 22.8 B q / a u n

TABLE VI. ANALYSIS OF BULK ORE AND TAILINGS RESIDUE

S.No. Element/Oxide Bulk Ore (Feed) Tailings (Residue)

1. SiO 2 76.05 74.83

2. A12O3 12.72 12.57
3. TiO 2 0.10 0.10
4. Fe 2 O 3 0.10 0.10
5. FeO 0.70 0.30
6. MgO 0.10 <0.10
7. CaO 0.11 <0.10
8. Na 2 O 4.10 3.88
9. K2O 5.28 5.21
10. P2O5 0.20 0.15
11. MnO 0.02 0.02
12. Moisture <0.10 0.50
13. LOI 0.50 1.70
14. Ra-226 Bq/kg 5167.00 7150.20
15. Th-230 Bq/kg 1314.20 919.60
16. Po-210 Bq/kg 4356.80 4923.50

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TABLE Vn. GAMMA RADIATION LEVEL AROUND HEAP LEACHING PLANT, JAJAWAL

S.No. Location Radiation Level (uR/Hr)

Pre-Operation Post Operation

1. On road to heap leaching site 17-20 13-18

2. Around acid storage plant 18-20 15-20
3. Site office room 20-24 20-22
4. Chemical laboratory 20-24 20-28
5. Change room 15-18 23-27
6. Site stores 18-20 20-24
7. Near ion exchange column 17-20 62-210
8. Leach liquid tanks 22-26 19-22
9. Near neutralization tank 20-24 20-24
10. Ore stack 110-240 130-250
11. North of leach pad 40-60 60-70
12. East of leach pad 40-60 66-87
13. South of leach pad 25-28 62-76
14. West of leach pad 30-38 58-63
15. 3 km east of plant 7-18 10-20
16. 8 km east of plant 7-19 9-18
17. 13 km east of plant 10-18 10-16
18. 2 km east of plant 9-11 10-17
19. 5 km west of plant 10-12 10-15

Derived limit — 1000 uR/hr.

TABLE VIE. RADON DAUGHTER AND LONG LIVED ALPHA ACTIVITY IN AIR AROUND
HEAP LEACHING PLANT, JAJAWAL

Location Radon Daughter Long Lived Alpha

WL Concentration (WL) Activity Bq/cu.m
I II I II

1. Plant site 0.006 0.0047 0.065 0.13

2. Leaching pad 0.007 0.0048 0.26 0.38
3. One km east of plant 0.008 0.009 <0.01 N.A.
4. Artesian well 0.015 0.017 0.44 N.A.

DAC 0.33 DAC 0.48

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TABLE IX. CONCENTRATION OF ELEMENTS IN WATER SAMPLES AROUND JAJAWAL
MINES AND HEAP LEACHING PLANT [11, 12]

S.No. Sample Ra-226 Th-230 Po-210 U mg/m3 Cl g/m3 PH TDS SO4 g/m3
location Bq/m3 Bq/m3 Bq/m3 g/m3
(Fig-2)

1. P I 30.1 2.3 33.1 6.7 398.0 18

II 14.0 21.5 10.0 „ — — —
2. INI 13.2 — — 1.0 33.1 7.6 429.4 18
II 3.9±2.8 23.3±3.5 <2.0 .. — — — —
HI 12.5 <2.0 12.8 1.41 <4 7.3 — —
3. IWI 39.3 — — 1.0 20.6 6.9 439.10 15
II — — — ~ — — — —
III 8.3 <2.0 <2.0 _. — — — —
4. 2N I 8.7 — — 1.6 33.1 7.2 461.9 52
II <2.0 41.4±5.9 <2.0 — — — — —
III 10.8 <2.0 12.2 — — — — —
5. 2WI 6.4 — — 0.5 45.7 6.9 371.4 36
II 9.5±2.8 22.2±3.3 <2.0 .. — — — —
in 9.2 8.1 25.0 0.90 <4 6.9 — —
6. 3N I 27.2 ~ 1.2 8.1 6.8 372.60 15
II — — — — — — — —
III 7.8 <2.0 32.8 0.5 31 7.0 — 31
7. 3W I 8.7 — — 1.2 20.6 7.0 472.20 <10
II — — — — — — — —
III 3.4 8.1 16.7 ~ — — — —
8. 4N I — — — — — — — —
II <2.0 20.7±3.0 <2.0 — — — — —
III 3.9 <2.0 31.7 — — — — —
9. 4W I 30.0 — — 1.1 8.1 6.0 90.0 10
n — — — — — — — —
in 3.4 3.0 6.1
10. 5WI 9.1 <2.0 <2.0
(4 km
Wof4m)

DWC 500 700 700 200 200 200

I, II — Pre-operational measurement.
HI — Post-operational measurement.

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TABLE X. ANALYSIS OF SOIL SAMPLES IN AREA SURROUNDING HEAP LEACHING
PLANT AND JAJAWAL MINES [12]

S.No. Sample Ra-226Bq/kg Th-230Bq/kg Po-210 U3O8 (ppm) Mn

Location Bq/kg (pP m )
(Fig-2)
1. SI I 24.6±5.0 168.1±9.0 23.6±3.5 4.5 510
H 21.1 68.4 20.0
2. S2 I 46.0±7.0 349.0±13.0 47.4±4.2 3.5 1020
H 33.3 32.0 50.2
3. S3 I 32.6±6.0 236.9*11.0 34.4±4.2 3.0 750
H 74.3 30.0 37.1
4. S4 I 44.6±6.7 160.0±9.0 77.8±5.3 3.5 530
H 20.2 109.1 86.0
5. S5 I 30.5±5.7 69.2±6.0 28.2±3.8 3.5 1520
E 52.5 26.2 12.9
6. S6 I 24.5±5.0 182.6±10.0 32.2±3.5 3.5 530
H 21.6 156.0 29.3
7. S7 I 50.1±7.4 203.1±10.0 34.9±4.2 4.0 1590
H 9.2 149.3 17.3
8. S8 I 50.1±7.4 104.1±7.0 24.1±3.0 4.0 700
H 17.0 139.5 15.3
9. S9 I
H 14.4 68.4 14.6 3.5 710
10. S10 I
H 24.3 22.2 8.0 3.5 685
11. Sll I
II 14.4 15.1 4.0 4.0 750

I — Pre-operational measurements
II — Post-operational measurements

TABLE XI. VEGETATION ANALYSIS - JAJAWAL HEAP LEACHING PLANT

u Ra-226 Th-230 Po-210 Mn

mg/kg Bq/kg Bq/kg Bq/kg gm/kg

Red grass near tailing site I 0.05 1.05 0.83 1.53 0.011
ni 0.06 1.24 1.01 1.73 0.015
Grass near leaching site 0.66 1.64 1.84 1.67 0.067
H 0.70 1.70 1.85 1.50 0.060
Papaya near leaching plant i 0.048 0.085 7.84 2.45 0.012
n 0.057 1.69 5.13 2.98 0.011

I —Pre-operational
n — Post-operational

212
down stream sections of plant (S.No.4 to 10 Table IX) do not indicate appreciable
enhancement in the analyzed radionuclides. This indicates that there is very little
contamination of environment through seepage. Water of the stream beyond effluent
discharge point has analyzed 3.4 to 3.9 Bq/cu.m. for Ra-226, <3.0 Bq/cu.m. for Th-230 and
<6.1 Bq/cu.m. for Po-210, indicating that proper treatment of effluent can save the
environmental degradation.

Papaya fruit (Papaya-indica) growing in the plant area has shown average intake of 1.69 Bq/kg
of Ra-226 while other radionuclides show marginal increase from the pre-operational stage.
This has been managed by destroying the fruits. Radiological monitoring at successive stages
in Jajawal has clearly demonstrated that controlled discharge of effluent and seepage
containment can help in maintaining radio-elemental balance.

The exploratory/developmental mining as well as commercial mining of uranium in India has

clearly demonstrated that the strict implementation of the current safety parameters and their
constant monitoring at successive stages of exploitation and simultaneous remedial measures,
will immensely reduce the radiation hazards.

Ventilation in underground mines is of primary importance having direct bearing on the health
of the working personnel. Regular ventilation monitoring and adoption of sound practices of
ventilation are essential ingredients. Stringent measures before the release of mine waters and
seepage monitoring help considerably in reducing environmental impact. Efforts are made to
reduce residual impacts to as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA) targets.

Heap leaching has been undertaken with a view to establish technological expertise for
leaching of low grade uranium ores following the current safety considerations. The
experiments have clearly demonstrated that strict adherence to the stipulated regulations and
constant monitoring of environment can eliminate the radiological hazards associated with
uranium mining and heap leaching. Thus low grade small uranium deposits as well as large
tonnage low grade deposits can be used for recovery of uranium without going for
uneconomical commercial exploitation of such deposits which would also involve greater
radiological hazards.

At the end it can be concluded that the current practice of generating baseline data for each
project before starting any mining and continued environmental assessment and review
process, have helped India in limiting the hazardous impact of uranium mining on the socio-
ecological system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors profusely thank Shri D.C. Banerjee, Director, Atomic Minerals Division for giving
encouragement for preparing the paper and giving opportunity for its presentation. Motivation
given by Shri Rajendra Singh, Associate Director, AMD has immensely helped in safe
management of project work. Dedicated work by many scientists and technicians has made
this task of safety management easier.

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