Ian Lambert, et al., of Geoscience Australia, report that uranium mines will be approved subject to world best practice environment safety standards. But what is world best practice for uranium mining? A national in situ leach uranium mining best practice guide.
It comprises:
1. Introductory discussion ... What is meant by world best practice... General principles for mining in Australia .... Description of in situ leach uranium mining.
2. ISL specific guidelines and approaches... Site characterization and baseline environmental description ... Description of the proposed mine operations.
3. More detailed guidance on best practice mining and regulation.
4. Communicates Australian Government expectations for ISL mining ... Developed to inform high-level consideration of ISL mining proposals by providing information on approaches to regulation, planning, operation and mine closure.
5. Focuses on groundwater, residue disposal and radiation protection.
6. Key issues for ISL mines ... ....there is no universal template for world best practice... ISL uranium mining... The operational and regulatory practices and procedures need to be best for the characteristics of the particular site. Best practice is not fixed in space or time. A best practice technique at one mine may not be suitable at a similar mine elsewhere Continual improvement may be driven by changes in legislative requirements, public expectations, corporate thinking, or by development of new and improved technology.
7. National Code of Practice and Safety Guide applies. Adopts the IAEA principle that the magnitude of the individual radiation doses, and the number of people exposed are kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable taking account of economic and social factors (ALARA principle)
8. Integrated into mine planning, operation and closure.
9. Outcome-based regulation. Rather than a prescriptive approach. Involves a continuing improvement program.
Original working URL: https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/PDFplus/2009/cn175/URAM2009/Session%205/07_7_McKay_Australia.pdf
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