The Safe Mining of Uranium: Bessines, France (according to Nukes)
Uranium has been mined throughout France. More than 50 percent of the uranium needed to power the
country was domestically mined. The Bessines mine was operational from 1948 to 1995, during which time it produced more than 59 million pounds of U3O8.
Read more : http://www.virginiauranium.com/pdf/Coles_Hill_Progress_Fall_Winter2009.pdf
Uranium Mines Limousin/ Bessines: A region at risk (According to Studies)
Results of radio-ecological study conducted by the laboratory of CRIIRAD
Study Objectives
For thirty years, COGEMA has operated north of Limoges, in Haute-Vienne, fifty uranium mines. Become less profitable, this activity is now being terminated.
It is in this context that the Regional Council of Haute-Vienne entrusted to the laboratory CRIIRAD for a radio-ecological study on the mining division of Crouzille.
The samples were taken from January to August 1993. Given the extent of the division of Crouzille and the large number of mining sites, there could be no question of a comprehensive review. The study was primarily to enable:
1. assess the nature and activity of radioactive waste stored on site
2. identify key risks in view of the closure of sites and their redevelopment.
Bessines to 1965.
3. characterize the radiological status of Bessines site, mining site which had operated since 1958 (until 1993) a processing plant (plant SIMO).
A region at risk
The analysis carried out influence of mine sites have shown that populations of the region are already exposed to natural radioactivity well above average. The exhibition is primarily related to inhalation of radon and external exposure from soil.
In this context, the additional radiation induced by mining activities should be rigorously controlled. The study showed that this is not the case. This is instead used by the operator to trivialize the increments due to his exposure activities.
A. Mining operations have generated huge quantities of radioactive waste
Mining leads to the extraction and accumulation of waste rock and tailings. The sterile match blocks much more radioactive than normal rock, but whose uranium content is insufficient for profitable extraction.
Residues correspond to uranium ore, as it stands after the uranium has been extracted: the rock has been reduced to the sand. It is important to note that the extraction of uranium deprives at most, only 20% to 25% of the radioactivity. Once the rock mined and finely ground, they instead become particularly mobile: emanation of radon, dust off, leaching by water, while these transfers are facilitated. The risks of radiation and contamination of people are not commensurate with the status quo.
The tests performed showed that activity levels are generally higher than the limit of 100 000 Bq / kg set by the regulations for radioactive substances other than natural substances. These materials must be identified and monitored as radioactive waste. Several samples have the same concentrations of several million becquerels per kilogram.
The management of these wastes must be especially careful that these radionuclides with high health risk. It should be emphasized that 9 of 24 radionuclides identified in Class 1, which includes the products most radiotoxic nomenclature.
Analysis revealed several anomalies: activity levels higher than those reported by the operator; samples presented as sterile (activity less than 4 000 Bq / kg) while they were engaged residues s 'raises several million becquerels per kilo; impossible to access most of burial (and therefore unable to verify the presence of prohibited wastes), etc..
B. No storage center for mining waste
If you believe the statements of the operator, more than 20 million tons of radioactive waste are stored at the mining division of Crouzille.
Nearly 6 million tonnes of waste were dumped into the old pit mine to open Brugeaud near Bessines.
We can estimate that the total radioactivity of this "storage" of students to over 70 000 curies: 70 times the limit for the storage of the most dangerous is to say, the INB (Basic Nuclear Installations). In addition, there are 8 million tons piled on the verses.
None of these sites do not have the status of GNI, the tailings were never officially considered as radioactive waste and therefore no development has been made to receive them and ensure their containment.
- Piled on the floor to be paid huge conducive to the diffusion of radon and radioactive dust flights.
- Discharged in excavations of ancient open pit mines: the analysis carried out Bellazane showed that such storage is not waterproof and mud seeping into the tunnels beneath.
- Injected into some underground tunnels.
The tests performed on raw water showed that water in contact with the residue, is responsible for radionuclides. As water is pumped and treated, the problem is under control but once the site is closed, the galleries are flooded and the radioactive water can flow at depth.
Whatever the case, nothing has been done to isolate the groundwater and preserve, not least in the short term risk of contamination. However, the radioactive products present in mine wastes will remain dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years: he is 75 and 000 years for the radioactivity of thorium-230 is divided by two, 4.5 billion years for uranium 238.
* The chemical, linked to the presence of heavy metals, arsenic and various chemicals have been performed in this study but should also be taken into account.
C. The study shows that the impact of mining on the environment was not properly monitored
The extraction and processing of uranium increases the exposure of local residents. The study identified the different routes of exposure and found that regulatory requirements are often ignored.
1. External Radiation
The requirement to measure the prefectural radiation site boundary is not respected: the monitoring stations are often located several hundred meters from the boundary, that is to say outside influence of radiation. Often, moreover, the sites are not properly closed and allow access to hazardous areas.
The radiometric measurements made around the site and SIMO Road Lavaugrasse show exceedances of the prescribed limit in France to 5 mSv / yr (1 mSv / year at the international level).
Furthermore, the control device does not include sources of radiation: including the radiation caused by the reuse of waste rock or tailings for construction or public works.
2. Inhalation of radon
Measurements taken around the site of SIMO Bessines show that the impact extends to several hundred meters, with values ranging from 3 to 25 times the natural background of the region.
Given these values, the doses received by local residents are likely to exceed the regulatory limits (these limits set the level at which the carcinogenic and genetic risk is too high to be tolerated).
The results of the operator (no impact) due to a methodological error: network and inappropriate choice of a reference station-Rilhac-Rancon-located outside the division but characterized by high levels of radon can to erase the impact sites).
3. Inhalation of radioactive dust
Again, while the official controls are negative, tests performed on foam (dust collectors) show the mark of flights of radioactive dust from the site.
Measures of CRIIRAD have also identified the impact of transport of ore and waste along the routes used by trucks. Again this route of contamination was not taken into account in the controls, the operator calling for "significant" and "undetectable" contamination caused by passing trucks.
4. Contamination of the aquatic
Mining activities have generated large quantities of liquid effluents. These effluents must be treated before discharge into streams to reduce their radioactivity. The few checks have to show exceedances of contamination limits (the operator was warned, however dates and locations of samples).
Again, the results presented by the operator does not reflect reality. In the letter of the Crouzille the results compared to the statutory limits does not correspond to radioactivity release, as required by the decrees, but the courses water, that is to say the samples obtained after dilution!
The impact of these discharges on streams Bellezane, Small Magnelli and the course of Gartempe is very clear. The sediments in the two streams have similar levels of contamination at some mine tailings and should be treated as radioactive waste. The regime of more torrential Gartempe promoted the dispersion of radionuclides: the levels are lower but the contamination is measurable for all items checked, to the confluence with the Brame.
Conclusion
The regulations require assess radiation doses that a person may receive as a result of mining activities.
Regulatory controls are carried out by the CPMR (Center for Radio-Protection in the Mining Algade now called), laboratory chosen by the operator and created within it. The study showed that these controls do not allow the Administration to ascertain the impact sites on the environment or to assess the doses received as such by the people.
The literature review conducted on the records held by DRIRE revealed that for years, the operator remained supervisor's control over its activities. At no time did he have to account for the failures of his administration and infringements of the law: the zones of influence sites have never been determined, nor for atmospheric pollution or contamination to the groundwater system exhibits added calculation is incorrect; measuring stations are placed and removed without justification, etc..
D. Becoming sites
Redevelopment sites perfectly fits in this context: no File scientific, specifications, basic rule of safety, no ad hoc regulation, not consulting the people and their representatives on the establishment of storage sites, etc..
The operator appears to have had carte blanche and proceeds to redevelop the sites as and when they closed.
These operations are summarized mainly to cover the waste.
Nothing is planned for pollution related to water infiltration. The movement of groundwater is not known, the water system has not been properly studied. We have no record on the stability of structures, the choice of radiation protection, management, maintenance and control sites after closure, status, etc..
At least react very quickly people will find themselves being faced with a fait accompli.
It is important to require:
- The further studies, both in terms radiological, chemical, allowing a diagnosis on the entire division of the Crouzille.
- A preliminary consultation on the future of mining sites and the establishment of final storage locations: under what circumstances, with what controls and what guarantees?
- The definition, by the authorities of the fundamental rules of safety and a precise specification to which the operator must comply.
- The creation of scientific records to assess the risks associated with the presence of waste and determine the best methods to limit transfers to people.
- Full transparency of all files that will condition the protection of existing populations and their descendants.
- The participation of scientists independent operators.
The current state of neglect is particularly worrying.
The administration has a heavy responsibility and it is urgent to define the minimum rules of the game
As for the people and their representatives, it is essential that they needed in the process of making, otherwise c is a purely economic redevelopment to decide where they live and their protection against pollution.
Nuclear Gazette No. 137/138, November 1994.
References:
- The entire study by the CRIIRAD (5 volumes) is available from the documentation department of the Limousin Regional Council (27 Corderie Boulevard, 87031 LIMOGES) and the General Council of Haute-Vienne (43 Avenue Liberation, 87000 LIMOGES)
- A summary of some fifteen pages can be accessed at the above addresses or applied to the CRIIRAD, 471 Avenue V. Hugo, 26000 Valencia.
Read: - The consequences of uranium mining in France (CRIIRAD)
Read more: (Great Pictures, need to look)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.dissident-media.org/infonucleaire/uranium_limousin_criirad.html&ei=uqM7S9jnKMTllAfglrSqBw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBUQ7gEwAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcontamination%2Bd%2527uranium%2Bbessines%26hl%3Den
