Uranium 

Companies exploring for uranium or other radioactive minerals in the Northern Territory should be aware that such substances pose hazards in addition to those associated with the exploration for other minerals. It is expected that companies will adopt appropriate systems and procedures to effectively manage these additional risks and prevent harm to personnel, the public or the environment.

This guideline contains a brief outline of the additional legislative, health, safety and environmental requirements associated with uranium exploration. Compliance with these requirements constitutes only a minimum standard and all exploration operators are strongly encouraged to strive for best practice in OHSE management.

Operators should develop a radiation management plan which outlines procedures for monitoring and minimising radiation exposure to workers, the public and the environment.

This plan should identify the specific risks associated with a project and detail how these risks will be managed. It is acceptable to provide this information either as a component of the Mining Management Plan, which is a requirement under the Mining Management Act (NT), or as a separate document.

Atomic Energy Act 1953 (Cth)

• Section 36 requires that the discovery of prescribed substances (which is defined to include uranium) be reported by notice in writing to the Commonwealth Minister within a specified timeframe (National Resources & Land Use Advice, Geoscience Australia - www.ga.gov.au or (02) 6249 9556).
• Penalties apply for failure to comply with the notification requirement under this section.
• Safety incidents may be required to be reported to Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA - www.arpansa.gov.au).

• The mining or milling of uranium ore is a nuclear action under this Act and operators should investigate any possible requirements for referral to the Commonwealth Minister.
• Offence provisions apply for failure to comply with this Act.

Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and Transport) Act (NT)

• The transport or storage of any radioactive material off site may require a licence under this Act, dependant upon levels of radioactivity.
• Licences may take several weeks to obtain.
• Offence provisions apply for failure to comply with this Act.
• Administered by NT Worksafe, (08) 89996078.

• At least one person on site should be a trained radiation safety officer (training is provided by Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation - http://www.ansto.gov.au/ or safetytraining@ansto.gov.au)
• All employees and contractors should receive general training in radiation safety and be aware of the risks of working with radioactive materials and steps which can be taken to minimise their exposure.
• A portable radiation monitoring device should be available on site at all times to monitor radiation levels in drill core and dust, including alpha activity.
• Regular monitoring should be conducted and data recorded in a log.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be provided to ensure radioactive dust is not able to be ingested.
• Employees potentially exposed to radiation should wear a personal radiation monitoring device (TLD). TLDs may be purchased from ARPANSA and then returned for analysis.
• Any material identified as a radiation hazard must be clearly labelled and stored separately in a secure area.
• Equipment should be cleaned and assessed prior to leaving site to ensure radioactive material is not being transported off site.
• Dose calculation should be undertaken at the completion of the program with the results supplied to effected personnel and the Department.

• Drill sumps should be lined, and drilling fluids controlled, to prevent radiological contamination of surface soils.
• On completion of program all radioactive material must be removed from site or returned to the drill hole.
• Drill sludges should be assessed for radioactivity prior to backfilling. If a radiation hazard exists sludges may need to be removed from site.
• Temporary capping of holes should be below ground level and holes marked and covered.
• Holes to be grouted to depth on final rehabilitation.
• On final closure each site should be assessed to determine that radiation levels are not significantly elevated above background.