SRC and CIM Magazine co-hosted a webinar on how Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) impact the exploration and mining cycle. SRC experts provided valuable knowledge about the history of techniques used in uranium exploration and discussed services that help identify and manage NORM on mining sites.

How Can Exploration and Mining Companies Address NORM?

While the radioactivity associated with uranium and rare earth deposits is expected and understood, radioactivity can also unexpectedly arise in many different types of mineral processing activities. For example, regulatory limits for the release of radium-226 are specified in the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) that impact many types of mining within Canada.

Uranium and its decay products are normally present in trace quantities in most soils, ores and waste rock. Even though concentrations of these radioactive isotopes can be small, release or accumulation of these isotopes via mining and processing activities can quickly lead to an environmental impact. Similarly, many other industries can unwittingly concentrate trace quantities of NORM leading to unanticipated issues.

• SRC Presentation Slides