Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
Mineral Resources Branch
Open File Report ME 1994-6
By
G. A. O'Reilly, (Chair), Department of Natural Resources;
D. A. Khan, (Secretary), Department of Natural Resources;
D. R. Briggins, Department of the Environment;
D. E. Hiltz, Department of the Environment;
P. J. Wall, Department of the Environment;
Dr. J. Scott, Department of Health.
Table of Contents
- Letter of Transmittal
- Forward
- Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations Presented in this Report
- Conclusions and Recommendations of the Uranium Inquiry - Nova Scotia
- Formation of the Interdepartmental Uranium Committee
- Terms of Reference
- Section 1. History of the Uranium Issue in Nova Scotia
- Introduction
- Exploration and Discovery of Uranium in Nova Scotia
- Types of Uranium Occurrences
- Government Regulation and Action on Uranium Issues
- Special Uranium Exploration Licences
- Formulating the Terms and Conditions for Uranium Exploration
- Calling of a Moritorium on Uranium Exploration in Nova Scotia
- The Uranium Inquiry - Nova Scotia
- The Interdepartmental Uranium Committee
- Department of Mines and Energy
- Department of the Environment
- Department of Health
- Section 2. Release of Closed Grounds Process
- Introduction
- Radiation Exposure Versus a Uranium Concentration Threshold
- Radiation Exposure Thresholds
- The Concept of an Economic Concentration Threshold for Uranium
- Establishing an Economic Concentration Threshold for Uranium
- Review of Existing Regulations and Monitoring Procedures
- Implementation of 1986 Committee Recommendations
- Determining Areas of Uranium Mineralizations
- Summary of Uranium Closures
- Radiation Surveys of Mines and Exploration Sites in Nova Scotia
- Radon Surveys
- Gamma-Ray Spectrometer Surveys
- Revision of Mineral Resources Act Regulations and Exploration Monitoring Policy
- Recommendations
- Section 3. The Issue of Exploration for Uranium
- Introduction
- The Mineral Exploration Process
- Preliminary Exploration Stage
- Initial Exploration Stage
- Advanced Exploration Stage
- Mine Development Stage
- Environmental Monitoring of Exploration at Millet Brook
- Exploration Workers Radiation Exposure Surveys
- Radon Monitoring Program
- Millet Brook Environmental Monitoring Programs 1980-82
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Section 4. Recent Advances in Uranium Mining Technology
- Introduction
- Tailings Disposal - Past, Present and Future
- Past
- Present and Future
- The Pervious Surround Method of Tailings Management
- Other Technological Advances
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Section 5. Radiation Dose Limits
- Introduction
- ICRP Recommendations 1990
- The ICRP - 1990 Recommended Limits
- Radiation Dose Limits Prior to 1990
- Current Radiation Dose Limits in Nova Scotia
- AECB Radiation Limits for Uranium Mining
- The ALARA Principal (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Section 6. Epidemiological Studies and Health Risk Estimates
- Introduction
- What is the Risk
- Radon and Radon Progeny Exposure
- Cigarette Smoking
- Industry Efforts to Minimize Risk
- Trend Toward Lower Exposures
- Worker Education and Joint Radiation Monitoring
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Section 7. The Issue of Jurisdiction
- Introduction
- Role of the Federal Government
- The Leadership Role of the AECB
- Role of Other Federal Agencies
- Role of the Provincial Government
- The Ontario Example
- The Saskatchewan-Federal Government Joint Management Example
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Section 8. General Discussion, Conclusions and Recommendations on the Future of the Moratorium
- The Reasons for the Moratorium
- Important Conclusions of the Uranium Inquiry - Nova Scotia
- Future of the Moratorium
- Justification for Extending the Moratorium
- Justification for Releasing the Moratorium
- The Environmental Review Process Verses a Moratorium
- Recommendations
- References
- Appendix 1. Glossary and Explanation of Units of Radiation Measurement
- Appendix 2. Closed Grounds Report and Recommendation
- Appendix 3. Hypothetical Uranium Mine Economic Model
- Appendix 4. Uranium Tailings Disposal Technologies and Long Term Abandonment and Closure of Uranium Mines
- Appendix 5. Radon Daughter Monitoring Program, Millet Brook
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