fingerboards project radiation assessment...further reduce the potential radioactivity levels in...

Fingerboards Project

Radiation Assessment

Kalbar Resources

Darren Billingsley

2© SGS SA 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2© SGS SA 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

1. Characterisation of existing radiation levels in study

and broader project area.

2. Assess likely radiation effects during operations,

rehabilitation, decommissioning and post closure.

3. Identify mitigation measure to avoid, reduce and/or

manage any significant effects for sensitive

receptors arising from adverse changes to

background levels in the Project area.

SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT


◼ Characterisation of existing gamma-radiation

background level

◼ Identification of the radioactive constituents in the

mineral ore, intermediate product and waste

◼ Review of regulatory framework

◼ Assessment of radiological impacts (workers,

members of the public, and environment)

◼ Radiation protection and management

IT INCLUDED…..


◼ External radiation from ore body, during processing

◼ External radiation during transport of mineral sand

materials

◼ Internal exposure from inhalation of dusts

◼ Inhalation of radon gas released from minerals during

mining or processing

◼ Ingestion of locally grown crops, and drinking water

originating from the Mitchell River

RADIATION EXPOSURE

PATHWAYS


◼ External terrestrial gamma radiation

involving survey of 156 locations.

◼ Radionuclides in cropping soils

determined from lab analysis. Uptake

into leafy vegetables and grains

estimated.

◼ Outdoor radon gas concentrations. 22

locations, programme commenced in

May 2017.

◼ Airborne dust concentrations of U & Th.

EXISTING RADIATION

BACKGROUND IN STUDY

AREA


◼ Radionuclides in groundwater in 2017 and 2018.

◼ Radionuclides in surface waters including Mitchell

River, local dams and creeks.

EXISTING RADIATION

BACKGROUND IN STUDY

AREA


◼ Airborne dust during operations

– Worker radiation doses estimated to be below the public dose

limit. Dilution and dispersion of dust from the mine site will

further reduce the potential radioactivity levels in airborne

dusts.

◼ Exposure to radon gas

– Worker doses estimated to be negligible, and concentrations

at site perimeter function of separation distance, dispersion

and dilution. Negligible impact.

◼ Consumption of vegetables

– Dust deposition on vegetables based on 20 year mine life and

airborne dust modelling data. Resultant doses negligible

based on human consumption estimates.

RADIOLOGICAL IMPACTS –

LOCAL POPULATION


◼ Consumption of drinking water

– Intake of HM dust at Woodglen water treatment plant

(WTP) considered. Heavy insoluble component settle

before the WTP intake point, and insoluble component

negligible. Impact on consumption not considered a

realistic exposure pathway.

◼ Exposure during routine transport

– Fully sealed container thus no potential inhalation/ingestion

exposure. Dose scenarios considered for external

exposure. Maximum dose <0.02 mSv per year.

◼ Exposure in the event of a transport accident

– Kalbar emergency response protocol implemented.

Controls similar to operations (containment, separation,

PPE) to minimise exposure.


LOCAL POPULATION


▪ Long-term impacts from tailings

– Tailings returned to the mine void are not classified as

radioactive waste

– Overburden and subsoil cover will further negate external

dose rates

– Already widespread natural variations in radium

concentrations in ground water and surface waters, not

necessarily associated with the ore body

– Any migration of radioactivity to ground water or Mitchell

River similar to existing situation with ore body.


LOCAL POPULATION


▪ Impact on non-human biota

– New area of regulation in Australia

– Tier 1 assessment undertaken on terrestrial

ecosystem in Project Area

– Consideration of baseline levels, radiation sources,

exposure pathways, mechanism for transfer in the

environment, and identification of reference

organisms.

– Results indicated that radiological impact on EPBC

listed species is insignificant.


ENVIRONMENT


▪ Future Work Plan outlining further monitoring required

prior to commissioning

▪ Radiation Management Plan (RMP) for all stages of

operations, including approved monitoring programme

▪ Radioactive Waste Management Plan (RWMP) in

place despite waste not considered radioactive from

regulatory perspective

▪ Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlining

impacts on non-human biota

RADIATION PROTECTION &

MANAGEMENT

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