Uranium Mining and Production

Uranium mining and production involves radionuclides in the uranium and thorium decay series in processes that include 1) extracting the ore from the ground, 2) extracting uranium from the ore (milling), 3) treatment and disposal of waste products from milling, and 4) fabricating uranium fuel elements after enrichment. RAC has performed dose reconstruction studies on uranium production facilities, including the Union Carbide Uranium Mill in Uravan, Colorado; the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation uranium fabrication facility in Apollo, Pennsylvania; and the Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, RAC team members have assisted uranium mining companies in assessing existing contamination at former mines and developing risk assessments and cleanup strategies.