The uranium ore mining facility, in addition to
the desirable product, produces wastes in the form of
environmental releases or effluents to air, water and soil. The toxicological and other (non-radiological) effects
are generally addressed in EIA/EMP studies, as per MOEF
guidelines. Since the uranium ore is radioactive, it is desirable to conduct a study
on radiological effects considering the impacts of radiological releases
tothe environment.
Before undertaking the commercial mining operations at Bagjata uranium
deposit in the Singhbhum east district of Jharkhand, pre-operational
radiological base line data were generated and a separate study on radiological impact
on various environmental matrices was conducted inline with the International Atomic Energy Agency's laid out guidelines.
The paper describes the philosophy of such studies and the
findings that helped in formulating a separate environmental management plan.
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