Envirotox of uranium mining and milling

Question 1

what is the main route of exposure for uranium?

Answer 1

drinking water

Question 2

what are the main targets of U tox?

Answer 2

kidney and bone
–nephrotox is the main effect
a little bit of resp tox if particles are inhaled–>mainly occupational exposure tho

Question 3

describe the pathway of uranium production

Answer 3

uranium ore–>crushing and grinding–>extraction, ppt, filtration–>yellowcake (U3O8)–>refinery and conversion–>market
the extraction, ppt, filtration step leads to effluents–>liquids released into enviro

Question 4

ecological tox concerns with U mining?

Answer 4

• radionuclides and metals
• aquatic and terrestrial habitats may be contaminated
• operating and decommissioned mines

Question 5

routes of enviro contamination for U?

Answer 5

• seepage from open mining pits and tailing storage pits to groundwater and surface water
• wind blown particles from waste rock piles
• -MILLING PLANT EFFLUENTS
• sulfur leads to acid drainage (Sask ores low in S–>minimal acid drainage)

Question 6

describe the containment of tailings at the McClean Lake operation

Answer 6

pit which contains tailings from mill; a pump creates hydraulic gradient which prevents contaminated water from leaving

Question 7

what are the regulatory agenies involved in milling contamination?

Answer 7

Enviro Canada–>Enviro Effects Monitoring (EEM)–>under authorities of Fisheries acr and Metal Mining Effluent Regulations

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
• Sask enviro

Question 8

what are the trace elements of concern of mining effluents?

Answer 8

selenium, U, Mo, As, Ni and other, such as salts (SO4, NO3, NH4)