Inspectors from the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) Special Operation Office in Jos, Plateau State, have conducted an assessment of mining operations at Alcomine Limited to ensure compliance with safety and radiological standards.
The Jos office, which officially began operations in March 2023, was established specifically to regulate mining activities across Nigeria. It carries out hundreds of inspections annually, bringing numerous mining companies under regulatory oversight.
During inspections, companies are required to implement strict safety measures, including ventilation systems, dust control mechanisms, and, in some cases, the use of nuclear technology such as density gauges under tightly controlled and monitored conditions.
In extreme cases, NNRA inspectors recorded dangerously high radiation dose rates ranging from 150 to 220 micro Sievert, prompting collaboration with the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Plateau State Government to mitigate risks to the public.
All mining activities inherently involve exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), including uranium, thorium, and their decay products such as Radon-222, which emit alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
Miners are particularly at risk from inhaling radioactive dust and radon gas, as well as from external exposure to ore bodies, especially in uranium, coal, and mineral sand mining.
The primary radiological hazard in underground mines is inhalation of radon gas and its short-lived decay products (Po-214, Po-218, Bi-214, Pb-214), which accumulate in the respiratory tract. Sources of exposure include NORMs in ores, inhalation of radon and dust, and ingestion of contaminated food or water.
While uranium mining remains the key concern, industries such as rare earth mining, phosphate mining, and industrial mineral processing (including oil and gas operations) can generate significant NORM levels.
Mining activities can also impact the environment through tailings, mine water, and waste rock, which may contaminate surrounding areas, resulting in long-term radiation exposure for nearby residents.
The NNRA Special Operation Office emphasized that rigorous monitoring and strict regulatory compliance are essential to safeguard both miners and communities living near mining sites.