influence of gold mining on radioactivity of mining sites soil in Tanzania

Focus, Erasto; Rwiza, Mwemezi J.; Mohammed, Najat K.; Banzi, Firmi P.

doi:10.6092/issn.2281-4485/13288

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…To calculate 226Ra, gamma lines at 609.3 keV (214Bi), 1764 keV of 214Bi, 295.2 keV (214Pb), and 186.1 keV (226Ra) were employed. Its gamma line energy of 1460.8 keV was used to calculate the 40K [11].…”

Section: Fig 1 Map Of the Study Area In Kyerwa Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Determination of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards from the Soil of Tin Mining in Kyerwa District, Tanzania

Gurisha,

Makoba,

Kiyengo

et al. 2024

Phys. Sci. Int. J.

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Gamma spectrometry was used to determine the activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples from the Tin mining in Kyerwa District, Tanzania. The study findings revealed that the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were 90.68, 65.45, and 630.95 Bq/kg, respectively. These values were all greater than the average global activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K which are 32 Bq/kg, 45 Bq/kg, and 420 Bq/kg, respectively. Assessments of the radiological risks associated with these naturally occurring radionuclides were done. In this case, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), and radioactivity level index (Iγ) were calculated. The results show that the mean values of Raeq, Hex, Hin, and Iγ were 230.6 Bq/kg, 0.628, 0.861, and 0.831, respectively. These results were below the global criteria levels for Raeq, Hex, Hin, and Iγ, which are 370 Bq/kg, 1, 1, and 2, respectively. Estimates for the absorbed dose rate in the air (DR), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), and the annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGED) were also made. The findings revealed that the corresponding mean values for DR, AEDE, and AGED were 106.8 nGy/h, 1.07 mSv/y, and 744.4 μSvy-1. The mean values exceeded the global average value of 57 nGy/h for DR, 0.07 mSv/y for AEDE, and 2984 Sv/y for AGED. Therefore, Tin mining activities in the Kyerwa District could endanger the mining community from natural radioactive sources. In this study, therefore, we recommend performing a periodic inspection of the mining areas, monitoring the mining workers, and determining the level of activity and concentrations of different radionuclides in the mining area.

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Section: Fig 1 Map Of the Study Area In Kyerwa Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The following analytical expression, which is stated in equation ( 1) below, was used to compute the activity concentration (Bqkg -1 ) of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the samples [10,11].…”

Section: Fig 1 Map Of the Study Area In Kyerwa Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards from the Soil of Tin Mining in Kyerwa District, Tanzania

Gurisha,

Makoba,

Kiyengo

et al. 2024

Phys. Sci. Int. J.

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Review: Artisanal Gold Mining in Africa—Environmental Pollution and Human Health Implications

Ondayo,

Watts,

Mitchell

et al. 2023

Expo Health

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About nine million Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) workers in Africa and people living near ASGM activities are highly exposed to geogenic and anthropogenic potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Despite the hazards and risks posed by ASGM being well characterized, coordinated multidisciplinary environmental characterization with combined public health studies are limited, with often piecemeal and snapshot studies reported, as highlighted by this review. Furthermore, studies are often not connected with efforts to minimize hazards holistically. Given this, we systematically reviewed the scientific literature on human health hazards associated with ASGM in Africa through Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Pubmed databases. One hundred and seventy-three peer-reviewed papers published between 1996 and June 2023 from 30 African countries were identified. Toxicological environmental hazards were reported in 102 peer-reviewed papers, notably As, Cd, CN, Cr, Hg, Pb, respirable SiO2-laden dust, and radionuclides. Exposure to PTEs in human biomonitoring matrices and associated health impacts were documented in 71 papers. Hg was the most reported hazard. Gaps in research robustness, regulation and policy framework, technology, risk detection, surveillance, and management were found. Despite international and in-country mitigation efforts, ASGM-related hazards in Africa are worsening. This review paper highlights the need for coordinated action and multidisciplinary collaborative research to connect dispersed isolated studies to better characterize the associated disease burden associated with ASGM in Africa and sustainably maximize the wider benefits of ASGM whilst protecting public health and the environment.

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High Environmental Radioactivity in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

et al. 2022

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The radioactivity associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities (ASM) carried out along the Ulindi River, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, was evaluated by gamma-ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry of soil and sediment samples. The results revealed that activity concentrations of 238U (up to 3127 ± 98 Bq kg−1), 226Ra (up to 2710 ± 89 Bq kg−1) and 232Th (up to 2142 ± 162 Bq kg−1) were 71- to 89-fold higher than the worldwide average concentrations reported by UNSCEAR in soils. Primordial radionuclides are, thus, present in high concentrations in deposits of gold in that region and the average ambient effective radiation dose rate was determined at 8.4 mSv y−1 (range 0.5 to 40 mSv y−1). This area may be classified as a natural high background radiation area (HBRA). The radiation risk for artisanal miners and population members manipulating those geological materials were assessed through radiological parameters. such as the radium equivalent activity index (RaEq), outdoor gamma absorbed dose rate (ODRA), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). The mean values of these parameters were significantly elevated in comparison to the world average levels and indicated the existence of significant radiation risks for gold miners and members of the local population. A radiation safety policy seems needed to protect workers and the local population in this region.

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influence of gold mining on radioactivity of mining sites soil in Tanzania

Cited by 3 publications

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Determination of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards from the Soil of Tin Mining in Kyerwa District, Tanzania

Determination of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards from the Soil of Tin Mining in Kyerwa District, Tanzania

Review: Artisanal Gold Mining in Africa—Environmental Pollution and Human Health Implications

High Environmental Radioactivity in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

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