Tailings

Tailing is referred to in the mining fine-grained residues from the processing of ores, which are present in the form of sludge. You are at the places of origin, ie stored in the mines and processing centers in large, usually separated by dams pool or mud ponds, which may have a high degree of risk to the environment depending on the ingredients if stored improperly.

Tailing in the uranium mining

Tailings at uranium mining are the sludge-like residue which is left over after uranium mining after the uranium was separated from the rock. The amount corresponds directly with the mass of ore processed, meaning fall worldwide every year millions of tons of low-level radioactive tailings. You are at the places of origin, ie stored in the mines and processing centers in large, usually separated by dams basin. Due to the number that occurred in the past dams today high demands on the design, construction and operation of these restraints are provided.

Despite the separation of uranium tailings still contain most of the originally present in the rock activity. It is all about the nuclides of radium-226, radon -222 and lead - 210. However, based on a unit mass specific activity is low compared to many other low-level radioactive waste products. Immediate health effects are not anticipated if properly stored. However, a greater release of tailings could contaminate large parts of the environment and contribute to a measurable increase in background radiation.

The difficulty in the storage of tailings is that the contaminants previously bound under the earth in the rock, now crushed are at the surface and are much more mobile and thus more easily released into the environment. In fact, it happens that the wind distributes fine sands of radioactive nuclides and heavy metals from dry landfills in the area. Even large quantities of radioactive leachate may arise contaminates the rivers and lakes.