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Uranium mining, unveiling the impacts of the nuclear industry

Ejolt report 15: Uranium mining, unveiling the impacts of the nuclear industry

The report can be downloaded here.

The policy briefing is here.

Abstract

Uranium mining and milling comprise the first phase of the nuclear fuel cycle, and is one of the most polluting ones. The aim of this report is to give workers and communities basic information about radioprotection. The document deals with the radiological characteristics of materials and waste from the mines, principles of radiation protection, and methods of dose evaluation.

The report draws from on-site studies performed in Bulgaria, Brazil, Namibia and Malawi in the course of the EJOLT project and from previous studies performed by CRIIRAD in France and Africa over the last twenty years. It gives examples of the various impacts of uranium mining and milling activities on the environment (air, soil, water) and provides recommendations for limiting these impacts.

This report aims to contribute towards the development of the critical capacities of communities, so that they might have more information with which to face conflicts with states or companies in relation to uranium mining projects.

Keywords: radiological impact, uranium mining, uranium milling, nuclear power, environmental impact, uranium daughter products, health impact, radioprotection

Authors: Bruno Chareyron, Lidija Živčič, Tomislav Tkalec, Marta Conde