The ranger uranium mine
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Transcript of The ranger uranium mine
![Page 1: The ranger uranium mine](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062405/5557422cd8b42aa8378b4ab8/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Effects of the Ranger Uranium Mine on Surrounding Ecosystems
Robert Meile
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Ranger Uranium Mine, Australia
• Located in the Alligator Rivers Region of northern Australia.
• Surrounded by Kakadu National Park.• Discovered in 1969, established in 1980.• Second largest uranium mine in the world.• In 2009, 5,240 tons of uranium mined.
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Supervising Scientist Division
• An independent supervisory group of uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers Region.
• Has conducted research on the environmental and ecological impact of the Ranger mine.
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From van Dam et al. 2002
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From Jones and Webb (2010).
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From theangle.org, “Stringent Water Monitoring Needed at Uranium Mine: Greens” 19/9/2010.
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Radon Exposure
• Radon is a product of the radioactive decay of uranium.
• Inhalation of radon dust is associated with lung cancer.
• Sources of radon include the mining pits, ore stockpiles, processing mills, waste rock, and tailings.
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Sources of Water Contamination
• Erosion• Retention ponds– Seepage– Controlled releases
• Tailings
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From van Dam et al. 2002
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Organisms Threatened
• In the Kakadu National Park, 33 species of fauna are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
• In the areas surrounding Magela Creek alone, 17 species are listed as vulnerable.
• Many other species are endemic to the Alligator Rivers Region.
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Indicators of Impact
• Several species used as early warnings of contamination:– Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed)– Amerianna cumingii, (freshwater snail)– Melanotaenia nigrans, (black-striped rainbowfish)– Ants
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Incidents
• During the 1999-2000 wet season, contaminated tailings water leaked into the environment.– Comparisons of upstream and downstream water quality
showed no discernable effects from the leak.
• Threats of flooding in 2007—unintentional overflow of retention pond water possible. Controlled release was considered; unnecessary.
• Sulphate contamination in April 2010.
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From Jones and Webb (2010).
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Sources• Anderson, A. N., Fisher, A., Hoffmann, B. D., Read, J. L., and Richards, R. (2004). Use of terrestrial
invertebrates for biodiversity monitoring in Australian rangelands, with particular reference to ants. Austral Ecology 29, 87-92.
• Bowden, R. (2010, September 19). Stringent Water Monitoring Needed at Uranium Mine: Greens. theangle.org. Retrieved September 18, 2010, from http://theangle.org/2010/05/27/stringent-water-monitoring-needed-at-uranium-mine-greens/
• Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. (2010, September 16). Kakadu National Park: Fauna. Retrieved September 18, 2010, from http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/nature-science/fauna.html
• Industry Projects: Ranger Uranium Mine, Australia. (2010). Mining Technology. Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/rangeruraniummine/
• Jones, D. R. and Webb, A. (Eds.) (2010). eriss research summary 2008–2009. Supervising Scientist Report 201, Supervising Scientist, Darwin NT.
• Mudd, G. M. (2008). Radon releases from Australian uranium mining and milling projects: assessing the UNSCEAR approach. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 99, 288-315.
• van Dam, R. A., Humphrey, C. L., and Martin, P. (2002). Mining in the Alligator Rivers Region, northern Australia: Assessing potential and actual effects on ecosystem and human health. Toxicology181-182, 505-515.