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An Assessment of Radiological Hazards from Gold Mine Tailings in the Province of Gauteng in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Caspah Kamunda

    (Center for Applied Radiation Science and Tehnology, North West University (Mafikeng), P.Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

  • Manny Mathuthu

    (Center for Applied Radiation Science and Tehnology, North West University (Mafikeng), P.Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

  • Morgan Madhuku

    (iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Private Bag X11, WITS 2050, South Africa)

Abstract

Radiological hazards associated with exposure to Naturally Occurring Radionuclides Materials from gold mine tailings in the province of Gauteng in South Africa were evaluated. A comparison was made with soil samples from a control area. In this study, gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the activity concentrations of these radionuclides in 56 soil samples from the mine tailings and 10 soil samples from the control area. The average activity concentrations in Bq∙kg −1 for Uranium-238, Thorium-232, and Potassium-40 from the mine tailings were found to be 785.3 ± 13.7, 43.9 ± 1.0 and 427.0 ± 13.1, respectively. On the other hand, the average activity concentrations in Bq∙kg −1 for Uranium-238, Thorium-232, and Potassium-40 from the control area were found to be 17.0.1 ± 0.4, 22.2 ± 0.5 and 496.8 ± 15.2, respectively. Radiological hazard parameters calculated from these activity concentrations were higher than recommended safe limits. In particular, calculated average values for the external hazard ( H ex ) and the internal hazard ( H in ) from the mine tailings were found to be 2.4 and 4.5. Both these values were higher than unity, posing a significant health risk to the population in the area.

Suggested Citation

  • Caspah Kamunda & Manny Mathuthu & Morgan Madhuku, 2016. "An Assessment of Radiological Hazards from Gold Mine Tailings in the Province of Gauteng in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:138-:d:62397
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Manny Mathuthu & Caspah Kamunda & Morgan Madhuku, 2016. "Modelling of Radiological Health Risks from Gold Mine Tailings in Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-11, June.
    2. Yao Zhang & Xianzhang Shao & Liangliang Yin & Yanqin Ji, 2021. "Estimation of Inhaled Effective Doses of Uranium and Thorium for Workers in Bayan Obo Ore and the Surrounding Public, Inner Mongolia, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-8, January.
    3. Caspah Kamunda & Manny Mathuthu & Morgan Madhuku, 2016. "Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from Witwatersrand Gold Mining Basin, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-11, June.
    4. Yaole Huang & Wangfeng Wen & Juan Liu & Xiaoliang Liang & Wenhuan Yuan & Qi’en Ouyang & Siyu Liu & Cem Gok & Jin Wang & Gang Song, 2022. "Preliminary Screening of Soils Natural Radioactivity and Metal(loid) Content in a Decommissioned Rare Earth Elements Processing Plant, Guangdong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Paballo M. Moshupya & Seeke C. Mohuba & Tamiru A. Abiye & Ian Korir, 2023. "Evaluation of Indoor Radon Activity Concentrations and Controls in Dwellings Surrounding the Gold Mine Tailings in Gauteng Province of South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-19, November.

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