NATIONAL URANIUM COMPANY BUCHAREST – ROMANIA Documents/Meetings... · regions of Romania. In 1952...

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NATIONAL URANIUM COMPANY

BUCHAREST - ROMANIA

68 Str. Dionisie Lupu

010458 București

Telefon: +40 21 318 52 58 Fax: +40 21 312 91 46 E-mail: [email protected]

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BIHOR BRANCH – BIHOR COUNTY

Status of Environmental Remediation

at former

AVRAM IANCU – EAST MINE

ARIEȘUL MIC VALLEY

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HYSTORY

Around 1950 uranium exploration was subject of a joint

venture between the Soviet Union and the National Uranium

Company.

Large geological surveys were performed in the south-

western (Banat county) and north-western (Bihor county)

regions of Romania.

In 1952 uranium mining commenced as an open-pit excavation,

in the Bihor region (Băiţa Plai).

Around 1960 the exploitation of uranium continued by opening

underground excavation mines at two other sites in the Bihor

region (Avram Iancu mine) and in the Banat region .

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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WORKS

1950 –1957 a large geological survey programme was

undertaken within the North – West counties of Romania (Bihor

county had received a special attention )

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Mining activities for uranium ores during the fiftees

1952 – commissioning of mining at Baita Plai open pit and first

dispatch of uranium ore to the Soviet Union.

the dispatched uranium ore was of a very good quality and

grade

no uranium milling and processing was ensured in Romania

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OPEN PIT AND UNDERGROUND MINING IN THE

1952 - 1960 PERIOD

In 1952 was discovered the largest uranium deposit

within the area of the Crișul Negru, Arieșul Mic și Văii

Leucii small rivers ( at the borders of Alba,Bihor,Arad

counties )

În 1962 a new underground mine is developped for the

Avram Iancu deposit not far from the Baița Plai mine

In 1958 at Stei town, Bihor county, was set up the first

laboratory dealing with work radioactive exposure and

environment monitoring for uranium mines

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Following the ,, SOVROM KUARTIT,, activity

1963 – The new ,,Organizația Expediția Geologică,,

undertakes the former ,,Sovrom Kuartit,, activities in

Romania

1964 – last dispatch of uranium ore to the Soviet

Union

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URANIUM ORE PRODUCTION DURING 1963-1977

• Mine Avram Iancu - all the uranium ore production was stored at the mine site for a future dispatch to a romanian mill.

• The uranium ore was mined and stored from 1964 to 1977 near the mine adits.

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RESEARCH FOR A MILLING TECHNOLOGY FOR

URANIUM YELLOWCAKE PRODUCTION

- Start of the nuclear electric power programme in Romania

• 1963-1977 – pilot tests for uranium ores processing using romanian ores

• Pilot stage tests on ores processing at the ȘTEI – Bihor small research plant

• First batches of romanian uranium yellowcake from a pilot facility

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INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING OF URANIUM ORES

• 1977- start of the transfer of

uranium ores from Bihor and

Banat mines to the new

Feldioara plant

• 1977-1978 – commissioning of

the processing plant and of the

tailings pond Cetatuia II

• First industrial batches of

yellowcake produced at the

processing plant

• Storage of the natrium

diuranate produced from 1977

to 1986

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THE NATIONAL URANIUM COMPANY BUCHAREST

• The National Uranium Company Bucharest is set up by

government decision no. 785/1997

• All uranium ore mining activities are ensured by the new

company

• 2004 – the geological survey activities are all transferred to a

new company named“S.C. Radioactiv Mineral Măgurele S.A.”

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STEI BRANCH – BIHOR MINES

The mining for uranium ores was cancelled atAvram Iancu mine since 1998

Since then closing out and remediation activitieswere undertaken

A government decisiton ensures the funding fromstate budget

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uranium ore was mined during the 1952 – 2008 period

after 2008 only closing out and remediation activities were carried out at the 2 mines , Baita Plai and Avram Iancu

the technical project for remediation was issued only for Avram Iancu underground mine

THE BIHOR MINING BRANCH

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THE CLOSING MINES DEPARTMENT

1998 -The new closing mines department was set up at the

National Uranium Company Bucharest

The aim was to ensure the closing out activities carried out

at the former closed uranium mines ( Bihor and Banat

mines)

The department ensures the link with the Ministry’s of

Economy mines closing out ,,CONVERSMIN,, organization.

The department ensures the monitoring programme at the

closed mines

REMEDIATION WORKS AT THE AVRAM IANCU

EAST WASTE ROCK DUMPS

•The waste rock dumps

The gamma dose rate at the surface of old dumps have low values

with a maximum one at 1,9 µSv/h.

• Dump at adit G XII

Relocation of some material on a surface of 10 m2 where dose

dose rate is 0,45 µSv/h

•Dump at adit G 1

Relocation of some material from a surface of 70 m2 having

gamma dose at 0,40-0,65 µSv/h.

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G 16 Adit and Dump

DUMP no. G XVI bis

Surface with gamma values of 0,40-0,85 µSv/hwas 2000 m2

The contaminated material has to be relocatedin underground.

•MINE WATERSOnly from the left side of the Aries River areflowing some mine waters having a specific flowof 1.5 liters per second and an uranium contentof 0.105 mg per liter for the adit no. XII ( level1153 m )

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Dismantling works1)Demolishing old buildings and facilities:

-materials from demolishing

-scrap iron and wood

-railway iron elements

2)Dismantling undergrouns equipments and facilities:

-scrap iron including contaminated scrap

-cables

-wood

-old concrete

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REMEDIATION WORKS

-inhancing old dumps stability

-surface reshaping works

-works for access roads

-transport of relocated contaminated rock material

-works for ventilation in underground

-measurements for the contaminate materials

-backfilling and concrete capping of old adits.

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1)Assessment of suplimentary doses received by the personnel

working on old waste rock dumps:

The radiological impact study made for the characteriztion of

the surface of the old dumps within th surfaces e Avram Iancu Mine,

underlines some surfaces having values in exces of 0,30 µSv/h.

The contaminated surfaces (G XII=10m2, G 1=70m2, G 6=100m2, GXI

nou=75m2, GXVI bis=2100m2 ) were subject of material relocation, the

resulted waste volume is V= 2300 m3.

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ENVIRONMENT MONITORING AND EXPOSED

PERSONNEL MONITORING

Monitoring the remediation activities involves different tasks as:

- temporary tasks

-specific tasks for each location

-specific tasks for a technical process

Environmental monitoring

Together the local environment authority, CNCAN and CONVERSMIN approves the monitoring annual programe with analysis for uranium, radium, gamma dose, measurement for the collected samples.

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h

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Nr

crt

Locul de recoltare Activitatea ANALIZE

Gamma Sol Vegetatie Sediment Apa

1 Raul Aries 100m aval zona ind. inchidere - - - Semestrial Lunar

2 Apa sc. Gal. Noroc Bun-

Poiana(720m)

inchidere - - - - Lunar

3 Apa sc. Gal. 23-spre Poiana inchidere - - - - Lunar

4 Crisul Negru 100m aval zona ind. inchidere - - - Semestrial Lunar

5 Halda Atelier Poiana inchidere - Semestrial Semestrial - -

6 Halda Atelier Poiana inchidere Semestrial - - - -

7 Baita Plai-bariera Cons. partial Lunar Lunar semestrial

8 Halda V.Plaiului-platforma Cons. partial Lunar Lunar

9 -baza halda Cons. partial Lunar Lunar - - -

10 Halda V.Plaiului-zona silozuri vechi-

platf.

Cons. partial Lunar Lunar

11 -baza halda Cons. partial Lunar Lunar - - -

12 -zona sita comerciala Cons. partial Lunar Lunar

13 -zona sita necomerciala Cons. partial Lunar Lunar semestrial - -

14 Halda V.Calului1-platforma1 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial - -

15 Halda V.Calului1-platforma2 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar -

16 Baza halda -aval Cons.partial Lunar Lunar

17 Baza halda amonte Cons.partial Lunar Lunar

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18 Halda V.Calului2-platforma1 Cons.partial lunar Lunar

19 -platforma2 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

20 -platforma3 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

21 -baza halda 1 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

22 -baza halda 2 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

23 -baza halda 3 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

24 Halda Complex Nou-drum acces halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

25 -baza cladire complex Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

26 Platforma butca 1 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

27 Platforma butca 2 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

28 Halda V.Mica-platforma halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

29 -baza halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - -

30 Halda Complex Vechi-platforma halda1 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial

31 Halda Complex Vechi-platforma halda2 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar -

32 -baza halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

33 Halda Gal.45-platforma halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -



36 Halda P.Lupului-platforma halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

37 -baza halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

38 Platforma gal.23-gura galeriei Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial -

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39 -incinta galeriei Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial - -

40 Halda P.Stancii-Platforma halda Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial - -

41 -baza halda1 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar semestrial - -

42 -baza halda2 Cons.partial Lunar Lunar - - -

43 Apa gal. XI Cons.partial - - - semestrial Lunar

44 Baita Plai-zona locuita bl.4-5 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

45 -zona cantina bl.3 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

46 -zona locuita bl.1-2 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

47 -zona fosta sectie Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

48 Halda club-drum acces Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

49 -platforma Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

50 -baza halda spre V.Calului Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

51 -baza halda spre V.Albiorii Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

52 Halda C-platforma Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

53 -baza halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

54 Platforma energetic Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

55 Halda B(actual drum)-partea stanga Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

56 Halda B(actual drum)-partea dreapta Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

57 Halda13-platforma halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

58 Halda14-platforma halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

59 Halda gal.49-platforma halda Cons.totl lunar lunar - - -

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60 Platforma pod basculant Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

61 Halda gal 23 NW-platforma halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -


63 Halda Complex Nou-platforma halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -


65 Halda Gal.15-platforma halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -



68 Platforma baia miniera Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

69 Platforma gal.23bis Cons.total lunar lunar - - -


71 Halda Gal.Pacea-platforma halda Cons.total lunar lunar - - -


73 Halda gal.19-22;52-platforma halda gal.19 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

74 Halda gal.19-22;52-platforma halda gal.52 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

75 -baza halda gal.19 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -


77 Halda gal.7-15;-platforma gal.7 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

78 -platforma gal.15 Cons.total lunar lunar - - -



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81 Statie auto Baita sat Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

82 Statie auto Nucet Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

83 Statie auto Fanate Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

84 Statie auto Campani Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

85 Statie auto Harsesti Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

86 Lunca intersedtie DN76 cu DN75 Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

87 Gara CFR-STEI Cons.total lunar lunar anual - -

88 Bariera cale ferata DN76-iesire Stei Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

89 Centru Stei-sediu Cons.total lunar lunar anual - -

90 Incinta industriala(Moara4)-bariera Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

91 -depozit carbune Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

92 -platforma buncher descarcare auto Cons.total lunar lunar semestrial - -

93 -cantar CFR Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

94 -platforma garaj auto Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

95 -platforma magazie materiale Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

96 -platforma magazie reactivi Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

97 -zona mlastinoasa Cons.total lunar lunar - - -

98 Valea Plaiului-aval de comfluent cu V.Albiorii Cons.total - -semestrial Lunar

B. Monitoring of the exposed personnel

MEASUREMENT of doses at the work places:

a) Has the aim of registering the dose taken by the personnel;

b) To give informations in oreder to allow lowering the doses .

For efficieny the measure shall allowing :

- Assessment of the main exposure sources;

- Verification of the ways to lower the doses;

- Finding these devices or work places which are exposure higher

sources;

MONITORING OF RADIOACTIVE EXPOSURE:

• The external radioactive exposure is ensured for every work place by

measurement of the gamma dose using devices easy to handle

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DEVICE FOR MONITORING

The monitoring of the work places at the Stei Branch is done

using a radiometer EBERLINE FH 40 F2 type having an 0,02 µSv/h

precision.

For surface and underground a 1 m distance from the rock

ussually ensured when gamma exposure is done.

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RADON ACTIVITY MEASUREMENTThe ALPHAGUARD type device uses measurement times of 10 and 60 minutes

RADON DAUGHTERS ASSSESSMENTPylon AB 5 device is used having an AEP-47 suplimentary

device and a pump VFB-65.A membrane type filter with porosity of 0,8 µmis used.

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Remediation activities

• Photos for the remediation activities

undertaken within the Avram Iancu East

former underground uranium mine (2012)

• The production of uranium ore ended for

both Baita Plai and Avram Iancu mines

since December 2008.

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U concentration in water samples average per month for the 2011-

2014 period

Ian Febr Mar Apr Mai Iun Iul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Noroc Bun adit ( level 720 m) 0,193 0,041 0,030 0,209 0,190 0,276 0,062 0,235 0,126 0,163 0,150 0,134

Adit 23 – Poiana side 0,110 0,040 0,044 0,194 0,102 0,050 0,095 0,021 0,032 0,010 0,021 0,013

Adit 23 - Băița side 0,124 0,031 0,041 0,012 0,131 0,031 0,134 0,316 0,151 0,158 0,121 0,123

Adit XI Băița 0,098 0,068 0,036 0,036 0,119 0,184 0,096 0,136 0,100 0,115

Plaiului River Valley - Fence Băița Plai 0,021 0,019 0,076 0,008 0,022 0,024 0,068 0,026 0,045 0,069 0,049

Dump of Valea Calului - Energetic B 0,029 0,010 0,139 0,007 0,086 0,076 0,026 0,008 0,011 0,004 0,062 0,005

Crișul Negru River 100 m downside mine area 0,077 0,075 0,023 0,018 0,018 0,015 0,005 0,009 0,006 0,020

Conclusions

• The environment monitoring programme is

ensured for the two former mines, Baita Plai

and Avram Iancu.

• The remediation activities will resume

when funding will be available.

NATIONAL URANIUM COMPANY BUCHAREST – ROMANIA Documents/Meetings... · regions of Romania. In 1952...

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