Environmental Considerations

Radiation

Radiation is a natural part of everyday life and everyone is exposed to it. Our natural radiation exposure comes from the foods we eat, the materials we build with, and from cosmic radiation. The allowable levels of public and occupational exposure to radiation are regulated by State and Federal governments.

Too much exposure to radiation can be damaging and we have undertaken extensive surveys of naturally occurring radiation across the surface of the Samphire project area to establish basline date and to ensure the site is well within the limits of safe exposure.

UraniumSA has existing radiation management practices that ensure our staff and the environment are safe whilst undertaking our exploration activities. For trial and full-scale mining we will have a Radiation Management Plan (RMP) and a Radiation Waste Management Plan (RWMP) approved by the EPA in operation, which will ensure the project complies with all licensing standards.

In the proposed field trial, solutions containing uranium will be extracted from the ground, processed in a small on-site plant, and returned into the ground. The levels of uranium in the solution will be very low and will present no occupational exposure risk, providing workers follow established work procedures.

All pipework carrying solutions around the site will have automatic shutdown and isolation mechanisms to ensure any unanticipated leaks are small and manageable. The layouts will be designed and constructed to ensure any spill that may occur is physically contained and able to be remediated efficiently and effectively.

Radioactive Waste

Low level radioactive waste, including contaminated/residue on protective clothing, filters and equipment used to mine uranium will be disposed of on-site, in accordance with the guidelines of the Radiation Protection Branch of the SA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

Dust

The transport of materials and people to and from Whyalla to the Samphire project will be along existing public roads. Formed and unformed tracks will extend from the end of public road access to the proposed site of the field trial.

Dust rising from the formed and unformed tracks will be normal surface dust.

Storage and Transportation

In the course of the proposed field trial, yellowcake will be produced and will contain several tonnes of uranium metal. Under the license conditions attaching to the field trial this yellowcake will not be sold. Yellowcake will be stored on site in a purpose built facility and in accordance with the Federal Government Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) regulations.

In the case of full-scale mining proceeding, any yellowcake produced will be transported by road, bypassing Whyalla and joining the established route from Roxby Downs to Port Adelaide.  Yellowcake can only be exported via Port Adelaide or Darwin.

Yellowcake is classified for transport under similar arrangements to those controlling flammable dangerous substances such as petrol. All yellowcake will be transported in line with ASNO Federal Government regulations.