Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone

and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

URANIUM MINING, MILLING AND TAILINGS DISPOSAL – BEST PRACTICES

by
* ** ***
R. GUPTA , A. C. KUNDU & A. K. SARANGI
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

Abstract
Uranium is the basic raw material for the nuclear programme of the country. With the
formulation of Atomic Energy Programme in 1948, the search for uranium ore had
commenced. Very soon, several occurrences in different parts of the country were brought
to light. The exploitation of this valuable ore is now being carried out by Uranium
Corporation of India Ltd. The ore is being mined at three underground mines located in the
district of Singhbhum East of Jharkhand state and treated in a common mill. After
extraction of uranium, the fine tailings are contained in a tailings pond.
The technology adopted by UCIL in mining, milling and containment of waste in tailings
pond is comparable with the best practiced anywhere in the world. It is based on the large
experience, extensive research out-put, technical know-how and enormous expertise
available in the country. UCIL is now expanding its production capacity by opening new
uranium mines and process plants in Singhbhum and other parts of the country.
Amongst the operating mines of UCIL, Jaduguda is now the oldest and the deepest
underground mine of the country with the best operating practices. Narwapahar mine is the
most modern one with the introduction of trackless mining. It is a state-of-the-art
technology followed first time in the country.
The mill at Jaduguda is one of the most inventive hydrometallurgical plants with unparallel
track record of capacity utilization and safety. It houses various automatic process control
systems and monitoring equipment. The mill has been expanded twice with in-house
expertise. The unit is an excellent pool of technical and scientific manpower having unique
experience of commissioning and operating hydro-metallurgical plant.
The tailings pond constructed by UCIL and expanded subsequently in two phases is a well-
engineered impoundment facility having utmost consideration for environment and
provision for treatment of effluents. The environmental monitoring results around tailings
pond signify the soundness of the design criteria and reliability of the practices.
At UCIL units of Singhbhum, it is an exemplary display of art of science that has fashioned
the future of thousands of local inhabitants beaming with the benefit of nuclear industry.

* ** ***
Chairman & Managing Director, General Manager(Mines), Superintendent(Geology)
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

URANIUM MINING, MILLING AND TAILINGS DISPOSAL – BEST PRACTICES

by

R. GUPTA, A. C. KUNDU & A. K. SARANGI

Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

Introduction:
With the formation of Atomic Energy Commission in India in 1948, a marked beginning
was made in the country for the ambitious atomic energy programme. Consequent to this
development, it was felt that the country must have indigenous resources of basic raw
material i.e. uranium. A group called Raw Materials Division was formed to survey and
locate good uranium deposits. During this period (early fifties), not much of information on
uranium exploration was available. Hence, the first emphasis of search was laid on the
existing mineral belts and geologically favourable areas. Association of uranium with
copper and gold was known in some parts of the world. On the same analogy, the copper
belt of Singhbhum (in former Bihar, presently in Jharkhand) and Rajsthan and gold fields of
Kolar (in Karnataka) were searched. The pioneering work of the first group of geologists,
brought to light many uranium occurrences in Singhbhum Thrust belt and it became evident
that this belt holds the promise for uranium potential. Jaduguda in Singhbhum Thrust Belt is
the first uranium deposit to be discovered in the country in 1951 and exploratory mining
activities commenced in this deposit in 1957. Subsequently, quite a few more deposits were
also located in this region.
In Oct 1967, Uranium Corporation of India Ltd, a public sector enterprise under the
administrative control of Department of Atomic Energy was formed with an objective to
mine and process uranium ore in the country. At the time of formation, the corporation had
only one underground mine at Jaduguda in the Singhbhum East district of Jharkhand and a
process plant near the mine. The activities of the corporation has expanded manifold during
these years with addition of some more operating units.
During last five decades, with the increasing need of energy for the accelerated agricultural
and industrial growth, the Atomic Energy Programme of our country has gained
considerable momentum. Consequently, the facilities are being built-up to augment the
uranium production. The new areas with the potential of large good grade uranium reserve
have been located in different parts of the country and production centers are being
constructed by UCIL in some of those areas.
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Operations of UCIL:
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. is in the front end of nuclear fuel cycle in accordance
with its objective of producing and meeting the uranium requirement of the country. In the
pursuit of this endeavour, the corporation has attained a very special standing amongst
comparable industries with regard to its core activities. Following activities are considered
the mainstay of UCIL’s operation.
a) Mining of uranium ore
b) Milling of the ore to extract uranium
c) Management of the tailings

Achieving excellence in preaching best practices has been made possible in each of the
above areas by –
a) Adopting modern, relevant and proven technology
b) Up-grading the existing practices
c) Stringent monitoring
d) Optimising the economics

Mining of uranium ore: Mining of uranium ore has remained central to UCIL’s
activities since its formation.
Existing mines
There are now three underground uranium mines being operated by UCIL in the district of
Singhbhum East, Jharkhand.
The underground mine at Jaduguda is in operation since 1967. The entry into the mine is
through a vertical shaft. The mine has been deepened in three phases. It is now 905m deep.
Bhatin is a small mine 3 km west of Jaduguda. It is in operation since 1986. The reserve of
this deposit is very small with limited production potential. Narwapahar mine is one of the
most modern underground mines of the country located 12 km west of Jaduguda. It was
commissioned in 1995 with the state-of-the-art technology and use of large trackless
underground equipment. Narwapahar is comparatively a large mine with high production
capacity.
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

New mines
As the Company has undertaken expansion plan to augment its uranium production
capability, construction of following new mines has been taken up in different parts of the
country.
a) Underground mine at Turamdih in the district of Singhbhum East, Jharkhand – This
mine is already under development. The work is ahead of schedule.
b) Opencast mine at Banduhurang in the district of Singhbhum East, Jharkhand .
c) Underground mine at Bagjata in the district of Singhbhum East, Jharkhand .
d) Two underground mines and two opencast mines in Nalgonda district, Andhra
Pradesh
e) Two opencast mines in West Khasi hills district, Meghalaya

Mine planning & development: Mine planning and design is the key to success of
any major mining venture. All the existing mines of UCIL are well planned with design
inputs from reputed consultants, experts, educational & research institutes and in-house
professionals. Before undertaking the mining operations, various laboratory and site tests
are conducted and the inputs thus generated form the basis for mine design. Recently, some
state-of-the-art integrated software are in use in each of the existing mine sites. The
proposed mines are also being designed with these software and modeled with various geo-
technical and financial parameters. With the progress in mine development, the existing
models will be up-graded with additional in-puts. This helps in visualising the mine in
advance at every step of design.
Mine entry: Mine entry is a crucial component in any underground mines. Selection of
proper entry system plays the vital role in productivity. In Jaduguda mine, a 640m deep
vertical shaft provides entry into the mine. This vertical shaft was constructed in 1967
which is a landmark achievement being completed in record time adopting slip-form system
of lining practiced for the first time in the country. The tower-mounted, multi-rope, double-
drum Koppe winder in use at Jaduguda is the only one of its kind in the country with several
built-in safety measures. Recently, Jaduguda mine has been deepened to 905m by
constructing an underground shaft at a depth of 555m.
The entry into Narwapahar is through a 70 gradient decline extended upto a depth of 185m.
This facilitates the use of large trackless equipment. A vertical shaft has also been sunk at
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Narwapahar upto a depth of 355m in collaboration with Russian experts. The shaft sinking
was completed in a record time in a very adverse hydro-geological condition.
Stoping: Though different stoping methods are tried at different period of time in different
mines of UCIL, mechanized cut-and-fill method is now widely practiced in all the three
mines optimising the ore recovery and dilution. The loading and transportation of broken
rock from stopes to surface are completely automated. In Jaduguda and Bhatin mines, the
broken ore in the stope are dumped into the ore pass by LHDs and they are collected in the
main level through pneumatic chute. In Narwapahar mine, trackless diesel LHDs move
directly into the stope to lift the broken rock. Deslimed mill tailings is used as the backfill
material. The little amount of waste rock generated in the process of development and
stoping are also disposed off in stopes as filling material. The activities are well planned and
sequenced so as to maximize the productivity of stopes. Stopes of Narwapahar mine are
accessed through ramps that helps in movement of trackless equipment to the working
faces.
Machineries: Underground mining is a very strenuous job. The corporation always gives
high priority to introduce modern machineries in different working areas making the entire
operation of all the three working mines very safe and productive. Drilling is primarily
carried out by pneumatic jack-hammer drills in Jaduguda and Bhatin mines. In
Narwapapaher mine, diesel driven jumbo drills are mostly used. Transportation of broken
rock in Jaduguda and Bhatin is normally carried out by diesel powered locomotives. Large
trackless dumpers are used in Narwpahar mine for hauling of broken rock. UCIL has the
distinction of introducing the use of CAVO, Alimak raise climber etc in Jaduguda for the
first time in the country. In this regard, Narwapahar is the first mine in the country, where
all the mining operations are automated with the introduction of large trackless equipment
like drill jumbo, passenger carrier, road grader, scissor lift, lubricant truck etc. This has
resulted in complete elimination of direct handling of ore. New underground uranium mines
planned by UCIL at different places shall more or less adopt this technology with the
introduction of upgraded versions of these machineries. The computerized break-down
maintenance system in practice at existing mines helps in optimizing the spare parts
inventory and maximising the productivity of these machinaries
Ventilation: The ventilation requirement of underground uranium mine need to be specially
designed as the radioactive ore generates a gaseous element called radon. Adequate care is
taken in the planning stage for supply and coursing of fresh air in each working place. With
the gradual development and deepening of mine, fresh air requirement of each of the mines
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

are time-to-time re-assessed, ventilation circuits are simulated and measures are taken to
implement the requirements on priority. All the underground mines of UCIL are very well
ventilated with the provision for adequate quantity of fresh in-take air. The development
faces are ventilated by auxiliary ventilation system using auxiliary fans and flexible ducts.
The split ventilation system adopted in Narwapahar mine is an innovative approach of
supplying clean air to all the miners in any working place anytime.
Roof control: With the deepening of mines, strata control from roof and sidewalls pose
serious problems. In this regard, underground mines of UCIL are designed with adequate
safety parameters. The void created by excavation of orebody is systematically filled with
deslimed mill tailings. Depending on the stand-up time of roof / excavations, different
support types like grouted roof bolts, steel chalkmats etc are placed in defined patterns.
Even in-situ pillars are left in stopes for providing necessary stability to the excavations.
Assistance of reputed research institutes like Central Mining Research Institute, National
Institute of Rock Mechanics and Ground Control and other educational institutions are
regularly taken for modeling the stress pattern and taking corrective measures. Adequate
instrumentation is systematically carried out to record the strata behaviour in different
stages of operation. Jaduguda is the first mine in the country to successfully introduce full
column grouted type roof bolts which is an innovative way of supporting the immediate
roof specially in wide excavations.
Grade control: Uranium being radioactive, grade control techniques in the mines of UCIL
are unique and most modern compared to any other metal mines of the country. Hand-held
radiometric probes indigenously designed with high level of accuracy are extensively used
to demarcate the orebody. Automated bulk ore assaying facilities at the pit-head of each
mine provide the quantitative estimation of run-off-mine ore instantaneously. Further
improvement in these systems are being conceptualised in the new mines with the
introduction of biometrics.
Newer technology: Mines of UCIL have brought in several new innovative technologies in
mine development and stoping. In Jaduguda Mine an innovative practice called in-stope
leaching was successfully practiced. It is a unique method of recovering uranium
implemented first time in the country with in-house expertise. In two worked out shrinkage
stopes in two different levels this operation was carried out. Barren ion-exchange solution
were sprayed from the top level so that all the broken ore and walls of stope were washed
by leach solution. The pregnant solution collected in collection tanks constructed at the
mouth of the chute in lower level was being circulated to achieve sufficient concentration of
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

the uranium. The solution containing dissolved uranium was being treated in the ion-
exchange columns to recover uranium. The entire operation has been carried out
successfully recovering a substantial amount of uranium at a very low cost.
Narwapahar is the first mine in the country to successfully adopt a newer method of stoping
called Step mining. The method allows movement of large trackless equipment inside the
working stope facilitating complete mechanization of all the mining activities. Based on the
success of this method, conventional stoping practices have also been upgraded.
The technology of shaft sinking adopted at Narwapahar mine has recorded the highest
progess of simultaneous sinking and lining.
In addition, there are several other areas like ventilation, roof control, blasting, stowing
where conventional practices have undergone sea changes adopting contemporary
technologies.
Safety and monitoring practices: Every day-to-day operation in UCIL mines are
planned and executed with utmost care to eliminate and minimise hazards associated with it.
Statutory rules and regulations are strictly adhered to with regular monitoring. The uranium
ore generally contains all radio-isotopes present in its decay series and these may assume
significance at various stages of operations. The mining personnel are therefore, provided
with passive personal dosimeters to evaluate individual doses due to exposure to alpha and
gamma radiation. In addition, modern personal protective equipment such as respirators,
ear-muffs, safety goggles, gumboots, safety helmet etc for protection against injuries and
harmful exposures are also provided to mine personnel. Many engineering control measures
have been adopted to reduce the noise levels of different heavy machinery in use in
underground. Routine monitoring of noise level, air quality, radiation & radioactivity levels
like external gamma radiation, airborne radioactivity, surface contamination, radiation
dosimetry etc are carried out using sophisticated instruments.

Milling of uranium ore: The conventional way of processing of uranium ore is

through hydro-metallurgical route.
Existing plant - Ore from existing three mines of UCIL are processed in a central plant
located at Jaduguda. This plant is in operation since 1967 and has been upgraded twice with
in-house expertise.
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

New plants – As UCIL proposes to open new mines in different parts of the country,
plants are also planned to treat the mined out ore at suitable locations. The new processing
facilities being planned are as follows.
a) A plant of 3000 tonnes per day processing capacity at Turamdih in the district of
Singhbhum East, Jharkhand – Construction work for this plant has already started.
b) A plant of 1250 tonnes per day processing capacity in Nalgonda district, Andhra
Pradesh.
c) A plant of 1370 tonnes per day processing capacity (275 days in a year) in West
Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya .

Plant construction and operation: The uranium processing know-how followed at

Jaduguda has been indigenously developed and successfully upgraded time-to-time keeping
in pace with the scientific and technological developments taken place in uranium
technology. This plant has already undergone two-phase expansion nearly doubling the
processing capacity. Many new machineries and state-of-the-art monitoring systems have
been introduced with utmost consideration on maximising the recovery, minimising the
discharge of effluents and maximising the recovery of by-products.
The new process plants proposed at different sites by UCIL shall adopt further improved
systems taking into account many modern concepts with due consideration to –
a) Vast experience of plant operation at Jaduguda
b) Inputs of various laboratory and pilot plant studies on ore samples conducted in-
house and in selected laboratories of the country. Some of the tests are still under
progress.
c) Information and data available on several modern operations of overseas
countries.
Flowsheet design: Uranium is generally extracted through hydro-metallurgical route in
one of the two ways – acid leaching or alkali leaching depending on the ore characteristics.
UCIL’s plant at Jaduguda follows the acid leaching practice. The R&D set-up available in
the plant complex at Jaduguda plays a vital role in laboratory studies of the specimen to
derive various process parameters. Subsequently, further studies are carried out in pilot
plant scale to finalise the parameters. In this regard, a new set-up has been created within
Jaduguda mill complex with provisions of all relevant process routes for uranium. The unit
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

has been named as Technology Demonstration Pilot Plant. Flowsheet of new plants are
under development in this unit.
Processing: The uranium ore processing plant at Jaduguda is the first and only one of its
kind in the country to treat the uranium ore. It is a hydro-metallurgical plant following the
acid leaching method. The plant is fed with the ore produced from Jaduguda, Bhatin and
Narwapahar mines. The ore of different sizes undergo crushing followed by two stages of
wet grinding. The ground ore in the form of slurry is thickened and leached in leaching
pachucas under controlled Ph and temperature conditions. The leached liquor is then filtered
and undergo ion-exchange in which uranyl ions get absorbed in the resin. This is further
eluted and treated with magnesia to get magnesium di-uranate or yellow cake which is
thickened, washed, filtered, dried and packed in drums. The final product of UCIL plant is
the Yellow-cake (magnesium di-uranate) which is sent to Nuclear Fuel Complex,
Hyderabad for further processing to nuclear grade fuel.
The plant at Jaduguda is unique in design to maximize the re-use of water, high recovery of
the product and minimum discharge of effluents.
However, some changes in processing concepts are being contemplated in new mills to be
constructed soon. Following the ion-exchange, implementation of sulphate elution in place
of chloride elution is being preferred as this ensures maximum re-circulation of barren
liquor, thereby reducing the requirement of total fresh water and minimizing the discharge
of liquid effluent. It is also being considered to implement precipitation of uranium peroxide
(UO4, H2O) with hydrogen peroxide in place of magnesium di-uranate for prevention of co-
precipitation of other metals. This ensures highest purity in product and less environment
related problems.
Equipment: Selection and sizing of proper equipment at Jaduguda plant is the key to its
success. In this regard, major up-gradations were undertaken during the second phase of
expansion of the plant. While selecting the vital equipment due attention has been paid to
the adaptability of these equipment to proven technology and compatibility with the balance
instrumentation and control systems. Adequate provisions have also been made ensuring
flexibility to allow for alternative processing strategies to accommodate unexpected ore
characteristics variations. The plant now houses new equipment like steep inclined
conveyor, hi-rate thickener, horizontal belt filter and spray drier. A new dust extraction
system has been installed in the ore crushing plant. In the fine ore handling section, dry fog
system has also been adopted successfully for dust suppression. A new ventilation system
is in practice in the chemical house covering filtration, extraction and precipitation units.
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

In the proposed plants applicability of many new systems like particle size monitoring
(PSM) equipment in the grinding circuit, high rate thickener for thickening, belt filter in
dewatering and filtration and mechanically agitated leaching tanks etc are being evaluated.
Instrumentation and process control: Jaduguda plant was originally designed with most
of manual control systems. However, over the years many automations have been
introduced in the plant. Installation of PLC based control system for ion exchange for
sequential control of Saunders valves and DCS based on-line control system for control
monitoring of PH in leaching pachucas, precipitation tanks and tailings plant have brought
in great improvement in metal recovery. XRF based on line analyzer has also been
introduced for monitoring of uranium content in ion exchange. Recently closed circuit TV
camera has been installed in the plant for monitoring the discharge of ore from various
feeders and screens.
The new processing units are being envisaged to encompass a very high degree of
instrumentation at all operating corners minimising human interference. PLC based control
system shall be based on Man Machine Interface (MMI) with remote input - output and
shall have facility to monitor process parameters, status of drives, control of relevant
process variables and operate any equipment from plant graphics on operators’ station.
Local operation facility has been envisaged for all equipment under local operation
condition. Closed circuit TV camera will be located in different sections for monitoring of
relevant areas from central control room.
Effluent treatment: The treatment of entire effluent generated during the mining and
milling is the hallmark of operation at Jaduguda. A modern effluent treatment plant has
been set up with the state-of-the-art facilities adjacent to the main processing unit. During
the process of uranium extraction from ore, two types of wastes – liquid and solids depleted
in uranium- are generated. Though the coarser fraction after neutralization is used as the
back-fill material in mines, the fine fraction in the form slurry is pumped to tailings pond. In
the tailings pond, the slime settles and the decanted liquid is sent to the effluent treatment
plant for removal of some detrimental elements like radium and manganese. This water is
first clarified and part of it is sent to plant for re-use. The remaining part is treated with
barium chloride for precipitation of radium. Further manganese is precipitated by adding
lime for neutralization. The clear liquid after stringent monitoring is released to
environment.
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Further improvement like containment of clarified liquid in evaporation pond is suggested

in new processing plants. A benchmark for zero discharge has been fixed in the new process
plants and all efforts are in progress in this direction.
By-product recovery: The plant at Jaduguda contains all facilities to recover the valuable
materials as by-products present in the uranium ore. The uranium ore of Jaduguda and
Bhatin mine contain recoverable quantity of copper, nickel, molybdenum and magnetite.
The flowsheet adopted at Jaduguda plant takes care of recovery of copper, nickel and
molybdenum by froth floatation process and magnetite is recovered towards the end as the
tailings pass through magnetic separators. The magnetite thus produced is of very high
quality in terms of magnetic content and fineness. These magnetites are highly in demand
for use in coal washeries. The by-product recovery plant for copper-nickel-molybdenum has
now been closed at Jaduguda because of fall in grade of these metals in the ore of new
mines.
Uranium recovery from copper tailings: The facility of uranium ore processing at
Jaduguda has the unique distinction of recovering uranium from the copper ores containing
negligible quantity of uranium. The copper ore of Singhbhum being mined in the vicinity of
Jaduguda contain traces of uranium. After recovery of copper, the materials were being
disposed as tailings by the copper mine operators. UCIL had established three plants near
such copper mines to up-grade the content of uranium in the copper tailings by physical
beneficiation (tabling) and processing the same concentrates in the plant at Jaduguda. An
appreciable quantity of uranium has been recovered in this process. However, with the
closure of near-by copper mines during the last few years, the above concentrate recovery
plants have been discontinued by UCIL.
Safety and monitoring practices- Adequate care are taken to ensure safe working
practices at each stage of plant operation. Each worker in Jaduguda plant is provided with
respirator and other personal protective equipment. Sources of noise are isolated as far as
possible. Rubber aprons, gloves, helmets and gumboots are used by persons handling toxic
materials and final product. The generation of dust (both radioactive & siliceous) is
controlled at source using dust extractor. Local exhausts are provided at dust generation
points. Exhaust stream is passed through a scrubber with water spray system. Air activity is
controlled by providing fabric dampers to outlets of pipes discharging active solutions to
reaction tanks and by covering the tank openings. Final product drums are covered with
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

thick fabric chute while transferring dry material. Natural ventilation is supplemented by
providing series of fans at strategic points.
Monitoring of external gamma radiation, airborne radioactivity, surface contamination,
radiation dosimetry, silica dust and noise level etc are carried out at all working places with
different modern instruments and techniques.

Disposal of tailings: After extraction of uranium from the ore, the management of
waste products – called tailings - has been given utmost importance, since these products
contain some radio-nuclides and need to be stored in a proper facility. The tailings
management facility established near UCIL’s plant at Jaduguda is a well-designed
arrangement spread over an area of 194 acres constructed in three phases.
Philosophy- During the processing of uranium ore, some radio-nuclides are generated and
remain in the tailings. It is also not possible to recover entire uranium from the ore. A very
little amount of uranium always goes with the tailings. Some reagents added during the
process of extraction create some chemical toxins and remain within the tailings. Therefore,
it is necessary to make a sound impoundment arrangement of storing these material on
surface so that they do not contaminate / pollute the environment. The design philosophy
adopted in the tailings pond at Jaduguda is adequate in this regard.
Design – While designing the tailings pond adequate measures have been taken to store
the tailings for a very long period of time. The pond is located at a safe distance from the
population to avoid any direct contamination. The site has natural high hills on all three
sides. The embankment constructed in the fourth side is designed to take the load of entire
quantity of ore available in the deposits. The material used in construction of embankment
consists of impervious clay towards the upstream, random fill material on the downstream
side and toe of rock-fill material. At each stage of the dam construction, site studies are
conducted to ensure proper strength, slope and height determining the stability. Quality
control tests are carried out to ensure the quality of the work as well as construction
materials. The permanent drains have been constructed on all sides so as to prevent the flow
of rain water into the pond. The decantation wells are strategically placed at the inner
periphery of the pond allowing the excess water only to flow out. This water is carried to
the effluent treatment plant for necessary processing through a well-laid drainage system.
Encroachment into the tailings pond area is prohibited by erection of permanent fences all
around. Security personnel are also posted at site as guard against any entry. Large part of
the pond is covered with vegetation to prohibit re-suspension of dust into the atmosphere.
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Typha latifoliea, ipomiea carniea, wild grasses like cynodon dectylon etc. are some of the
special varieties grown on the surface of the pond.
The technology of tailings pond design and construction has undergone sea changes during
last twenty years. In the new processing sites, UCIL proposes to adopt several new
technologies like laying of an artificial impermeable layer on the surface of the pond to
avoid excursion of effluent into the ground water. A newer method called thickened tailings
disposal system is also being contemplated.
Safety and monitoring practices – The safety of the tailings pond is periodically
ensured with several site-specific studies involving consultants. During rainy season,
adequate measures are taken in cleaning of drains and stabilizing the decantation wells.
Routine monitoring of Rn-222 and its progeny is carried out around the tailings pond area
using low level radon detection system (LLRDS) and alpha guard. Gamma exposure level is
also monitored using scintillometer and micro R survey meter. In order to ascertain the
characteristics of migrating radio-nuclides and chemical toxins, monitoring wells are placed
around the pond. Water samples from these wells are regularly collected and analysed.
Analysis of vegetation grown inside the tailings pond is carried out on regular basis to
evaluate the migration of radio-nuclides and chemical additives from tailings pile to
vegetation. Near-by population are also provided with dosimeters for detection of radiation
dose, if any. The water from different streams and local river system, sediments from river
beds are also analysed in different seasons. Samples of soil, grass, vegetables, food-stuff
and aquatic organisms like algae, fish etc are collected and analysed. The samples of
ground water from wells and hand pumps are periodically collected and analysed for
evaluation of radioactive and chemical pollutants.
These surveillances in the area have not shown any significant rise of any harmful elements
in the atmosphere in the entire history of UCIL’s operations.

Conclusion: Uranium corporation of India ltd. during its 36 years of operation has
adopted many new technologies in mining and processing fields and such technologies are
comparable with the best practices available anywhere in the world. The corporation has
many distinctions of being the first in the country to adopt such technologies.
Recently, the corporation has successfully obtained ISO-9002 certification for its excellent
work practices followed at different operating units. It is also the first mining organization
Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

in the country to obtain ISO-14001 certification for the excellent environmental monitoring
practices stringently followed in all its working units.
The corporation is also always acclaimed amongst the local people for its multitudinous
welfare activities undertaken specially towards the up-liftment of tribals. It has shown
utmost concern for the employment, education, health care, infrastructure development,
promotion of sports, cultural programme etc amongst the local people.
Tomorrow’s UCIL is poised for a massive growth with technological and scientific
excellence aspiring to progressively achieve the capability of meeting the entire fuel
requirement for the targeted generation of nuclear power. As the corporation marches ahead
with its noble endeavor, all efforts are made to accomplish a greater all-round socio-
economic development around all its operating units.

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Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Transverse section Not to scale

Fig. 1 General layout of Jaduguda Mine

Longitudinal
section

Fig. 2 General layout of Narwapahar Mine

Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Longitudinal section

Transverse section

Not to scale

Fig. 3 General layout of cut-and-fill stope of Jaduguda Mine

Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Longitudinal section

Plan

Fig. 4 General layout of cut-and-fill stope of Narwapahar mine

Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Fig. 5 Flowsheet of Jaduguda uranium ore processing plant

Presented and published in the proceedings of the National Seminar on “Environmental and sociological Implications of Mining (Coal, Limestone and
Uranium) and exploitation of Oil and natural gas in North – East India”, North – East India Council for social Science, Shillong; Jun. 5-6, 2003

Fig. 6 Flowsheet of Jaduguda effluent treatment plant

Not to scale

Fig. 7. Layout of Jaduguda tailings pond