Frequently Asked Questions
The apprehension made above is certainly not based on scientific fact but based on long standing myths against radioactivity. It may be mentioned that there is always a natural background radiation to which all forms of lives are exposed everywhere in this world. It is very important to note that background radiation exposure rate in the Jaduguda area (1.1 milligray per year) is quite less as compared to the average radiation dose in the high background radiation in places like Kerala where background radiation level varies from 1.15 to 35 milligray per year. UCIL is mining very low grade uranium, as a result the radiation level in and around Jaduguda is much below the limit as prescribed by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The radiation level around tailing pond area is also well within the permissible limits laid down by the AERB and International Commission on Radiation Protection. The dose limit for the members of public prescribed by ICRP and AERB is 1 mSv/y above the natural background. The radiation level reduces drastically to the background values even at about 50 meters away from the tailing pond. The maximum possible dose received by the people living in the nearest village is only 0.15mSv/y which is well below the prescribed limit. A full-fledged Environmental Survey Laboratory cum Health Physics Unit - an independent body under the administrative control of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is in operation since inception to carry out environmental and radiological surveillance in and around UCIL’s units. External gamma radiation, Radon concentration, suspended particulate matters, airborne long lived Alpha activity and concentration of radio nuclides- uranium and Radium in surface and ground water, in soil and food items etc are monitored regularly. Statistical data at regular intervals reveal no significant effect on ground and surface water bodies due to UCIL activities. Similarly up-take studies on more than thirty species of different groups (Plant & animal) show that that there is no significant change in background radiation due to UCIL operation. Similar allegations made earlier have been responded to the satisfaction of concerned agencies. UCIL’s operations follow the norms set by various statutory bodies like the State Pollution Control Board, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Directorate General of Mines Safety, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board etc.
As per the BARC survey report, the radiation levels within 5 kms. radius from Jaduguda are quite normal. In addition, the radon levels up to 1 km from tailings ponds and uranium concentration in ground water around tailings pond and surface water in the downstream waters of Suvarnarekha River and Gara Nullah are all within the limits prescribed by AERB/Pollution Control Board. UCIL maintains and operates well engineered tailing pond in successful retention of its waste. The inactive tailing ponds are reclaimed by putting an adequate soil cover and the active tailing pond is kept wet for dust suppression. Health Physics Unit of BARC regularly collects and monitors soil samples in and around all mining and milling operations of UCIL. There are no such evidences that establish the fact that the soil is being contaminated with radioactive element by UCIL’s operation and the radioactivity found in soil is attributed to intrinsic mineralization of the Singhbhum Shear Zone which is well below the prescribe limits of AERB. External gamma radiation, Radon concentration, suspended particulate matters, airborne long lived Alpha activity and concentration of radio nuclides - Uranium and Radium in surface and ground water, in soil and food items etc are monitored regularly. Statistical data at regular intervals reveal no significant effect on ground and surface water bodies due to UCIL activities. Similarly up-take studies on more than thirty species of different groups (Plant & animal) show that that there is no significant change in background radiation due to UCIL operation.
Under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 Public Hearing is conducted by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) prior to commissioning of different projects. There is a standard regulatory procedure laid down in Environment Protection Act 1986 for conducting Public Hearing by the SPCB which is strictly followed. Officials from SPCB had carried out those detailed activities during the Public Hearing of different projects of UCIL in East Singbhum, Jharkhand. The dates of the Public Hearings conducted at Jharkhand areas are : - a) Bandhuhurang mines – 25th Feruary 2004, b) Bagjata Mines – 18th September 2004, 3) Mohuldih Mines – 28th December 2005, 4) Jaduguda Mines – 26th May 2009.These hearings were attended by huge number of local villagers who were informed about the company’s activity related to radioactivity. Different Radiation Awareness Programme is regularly being conducted by Health Physics Unit of BARC. UCIL, on its own, widely publicizes and generates awareness about uranium mining and carried out awareness programmes at Narwapahar mines and at various schools at Jamshedpur through BARC. As mentioned earlier, UCIL is an IS 18001:2007 company which ensures company’s commitment towards occupational health and safety. All the workers are provided with uniforms and Personal Protective Equipments (PPE’s) such as Helmets, Gloves and Boots. Provision of breathing mask is required only where the dust is generated and masks are provided to workers wherever and whenever necessary. Exclusive bathing facility is provided for all mine workers. Health Physics Unit assess the radioactive dose received by the workers. Regular medical check up is also being conducted on compulsory basis to monitor and manage adverse health effect, if any.
The villages are far away from the mines. There is no village which is just a few steps away from any uranium mines or tailing pond. Jaduguda being an underground mine adopts cut and fill method for its mining operation. After recovery of uranium in the mill, the bulk of the material processed emerges as tailings. Its radioactivity content is very low. The tailings slurry is neutralized with limestone and lime to precipitate out heavy metals. The coarse fraction is used to backfill the mines. The slurry containing fine particles is pumped to a tailing pond where the solids settle and the decanted effluent from the pond is received back at the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and is treated to ensure that it conforms to the limits prescribed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Pollution Control Board. So far as tailings pond is concerned, it is well-engineered and designed taking all possible measures to avoid any radiation exposure to the public and to the environmental regime. The exhausted tailing ponds are reclaimed by putting an adequate amount of soil cover. Tailings ponds have been fenced and guarded by Security personnel round the clock and also declared as prohibited zone under the section 3(D) and 27 of Atomic Energy Act, 1962. Any breach that takes place is regularly attended. On the other hand, UCIL operations at Jaduguda and nearby areas have had a definitely positive socio-economic impact on the lives of the people of the region. These can be summarized as arranging employment generation, housing, potable water, better means of communication and transportation, local market development, better education facilities etc. UCIL provides employment to about 4700 people, majority of them being tribal from Jaduguda and surrounding areas. This has totally transformed the living standard of the families of these people. UCIL has always laid strong emphasis on health, safety and environment and every effort is being made to search for further improvements wherever possible. All operations are carried out in such a way that exposure and releases are well below the regulatory limits and are as low as reasonably achievable.
Uranium Corporation of India Limited is a Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. UCIL produces uranium required for indigenous reactors and thus plays a very significant role in Nuclear Power Programme of the country. Uranium Corporation of India Ltd., with its headquarter at Jaduguda has been operating six underground mines, one opencast mine and two ore processing plants in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.
UCIL operations at Jaduguda and nearby areas had a definite positive socio-economic impact on the lives of the people of the region. These can be summarized as arranging employment generation, housing, potable water, better means of communication and transportation, local market development, better education facilities etc. UCIL provides employment to about 4700 people in Jharkhand area, majority of them being tribal from surrounding areas of various mines and processing plants. This has totally transformed the living standard of the families of these people.
With regards to apprehension about the effects of radiation, UCIL’s comments are given as follows: The uranium ores mined in India are of very low grade as compared to those available in other countries. Operations of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) follow the norms set by various statutory bodies like the State Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Directorate General of Mines Safety, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board etc. A full-fledged Environmental Survey Laboratory cum Health Physics Unit - an independent body under the administrative control of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is in operation since inception to carry out environmental and radiological surveillance in and around UCIL’s units. External gamma radiation, Radon concentration, suspended particulate matters, airborne long lived Alpha activity and concentration of radio nuclides - Uranium and Radium in surface and ground water, in soil and food items etc are monitored regularly. Statistical data at regular intervals reveal no significant effect on ground and surface water bodies due to UCIL activities. Similarly up-take studies on more than thirty species of different groups (Plant & animal) show that that there is no significant change in background radiation due to UCIL operation.
A number of demographic surveys, scientific studies by eminent scientists, specialists and professional groups have been conducted around UCIL operating units from time to time. A few important ones are presented below: --
On the suggestion of the Environment Committee of the Legislative Council of Bihar (the then State), a health survey of all the residents within 2 km of UCIL was jointly undertaken by a medical team comprising doctors from Bihar Government and UCIL in the year 1998. Seventeen settlements from 8 villages were covered in this survey. Around 3400 persons were examined and 31 persons were short-listed for further investigations. Detailed clinical examination of the short listed persons was carried out. Subsequently, these cases were reviewed by a team of experts comprising medical and radiation safety personnel from BARC, UCIL, nuclear medicine specialists from Tata Main Hospital (Jamshedpur) and doctors from Bihar Government including the Civil Surgeon of Singhbhum (E) District. After such detailed review, the consensus of all the doctors was that “the cases examined had congenital limb anomalies, diseases due to genetic abnormalities like thalassemia major and Retenitis pigmentosa, moderate to gross splenomegaly due to chronic malarial infection (as this is hyper endemic area), malnutrition, post encephalitic and post head injury squeal”. The team was convinced and unanimously agreed that “the disease pattern cannot be ascribed to radiation exposure in any of these cases”. The medical survey by specialists did not identify any patient suffering from radiation related diseases.
This is not true. The various studies carried out by experts have proved beyond doubt that the diseases prevalent in the villages around UCIL workings are not due to radiation but attributed to malnutrition, malaria and unhygienic living conditions etc. A full-fledged Environmental Survey Laboratory cum Health Physics Unit - an independent body under the administrative control of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is in operation since inception to carry out environmental and radiological surveillance in and around UCIL’s units. External gamma radiation, Radon concentration, suspended particulate matters, airborne long lived Alpha activity and concentration of radio nuclides- uranium and Radium in surface and ground water, in soil and food items etc are monitored regularly. Statistical data at regular intervals reveal no significant effect on ground and surface water bodies due to UCIL activities. Similarly up-take studies on more than thirty species of different groups (Plant & animal) show that that there is no significant change in background radiation due to UCIL operation. The studies carried out by experts prove that the diseases are not due to radiation.
On the suggestion of the Environment Committee of the Legislative Council of Bihar, a health survey of all the residents within 2 km of UCIL was jointly undertaken by a medical team comprising doctors from Bihar Government and UCIL in the year 1998. Seventeen settlements from 8 villages were covered in this survey. Around 3400 persons were examined and 31 persons were short-listed for further investigations. Detailed clinical examination of the short listed persons was also carried out. Subsequently, these cases were reviewed by a team of experts comprising medical and radiation safety personnel from BARC, UCIL, nuclear medicine specialists from Tata Main Hospital (Jamshedpur) and doctors from Bihar Government including the Civil Surgeon of Singhbhum (East) District. After such detailed review, the team was convinced and unanimously agreed that the disease pattern cannot be ascribed to radiation exposure in any of these cases. The report clearly stated "The consensus of all the doctors was that the cases examined had congenital limb anomalies, diseases due to genetic abnormalities like thalassaemia major and retinitis, pigmentosa, moderate to gross splenomegaly due to chronic malarial infection (as this is a hyper endemic area) malnutrition, post encephalitic and post-head injury sequele". The medical survey by specialists did not identify any patient suffering from radiation related diseases.
Besides what is pointed in (3) above, health records maintained at UCIL Hospital show that the various ailment like TB, Congenital Malformation, Cancer etc. in and around Jaduguda are much less than the national average, as is evident in the data below:
TB Cases: The percentage of tuberculosis patients is 0.5 – 0.6% as against the National Average of 1.5%.
Congenital Malformation: Total births at UCIL Hospital, Jaduguda from 1994-2003 is 4765. Congenital malformation during above period is 13. So the percentage is 0.25% (National figure 4 - 6% congenital malformation)
Cancer cases: The incidence of cancer is 14 per 24000 or 58 per lakh during 2001-03 as against the National average of 106.2 – 130.4 for men and 100-140.7 for women per lakh population per year.
949 cases from three villages, namely – Chatikocha, Dungridih and Tilaitand were examined. 260 were males, 314 females and 375 children below 12 years. The following teratogenic effects affecting three generation were not seen;
(1) Mental retardation: No cases were detected.
Congenital Malformation: Only one case of Hare Lip was detected which is below the national average.
Sterility: Only 6 cases out of 246 married females [2.4%]. National average is 10%.
Hence according to us, the data presented by NGO is not true representation of facts. It may also be noted that in UCIL township a population of 20,000 lives and they are all healthy except normal occurring diseases. The NGO does not appear to have concerned the population living in UCIL Township.
Researchers from BARC and the Directorate of Health Services, Govt. of Kerala have conducted a detailed scientific study on newborn children in low and high background radiation areas of Kerala where significant population density exists for generations, thus presenting a good opportunity for a scientific study of effects of low level radiation if any. The natural background radiation exposure rate in the areas covered in this study varied from 1.15 to 35 milligray per year. 34,337 newborn children from high background radiation area (HBRA) and 13306 children from normal background radiation area (NBRA) were screened. The findings of the study are that there is no significant difference in any of the reproductive factors such as congenital malformation, still birth or twinning between two groups of new borns. The study is still continuing and to date about 60,000 new borns have been screened. The frequency of malformation (1.53%) in the total live births examined from this area are found to be comparable with similar studies done on nearly 72,000 new borns in Chennai (1.6%), 95,000 new borns from New Delhi (1.46%), Baroda (2.05%) and Mumbai (2.3%). The results of this study have been published in the journal ‘Radiation Research Vol. 152’. It is important to note that background radiation exposure rate in the Jaduguda area (1.1 milligray per year) is quite less as compared to the average radiation dose in the high background radiation area of Kerala. The congenital malformations are known to occur world over in the unexposed population too and the frequency of their occurrence depends on several factors such as maternal age, consanguinity, ethnicity, nutritional status etc.
UCIL has a track record of adopting absolutely safe and environment friendly working practices in Uranium Mining and Processing activities. Company’s commitment to safety of its employees, member of public and maintenance of clean environment is beyond doubt. UCIL has obtained ISO 9001:2000 certification for Quality Assurance, ISO 14001:2004 certification for Environmental Management System and IS-18001:2000 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management System. It reflects the commitment of the company towards safe and environment friendly operations in all its existing and upcoming projects. UCIL doctors under the guidance of Dr. G. K. Iyer, Consultant, Industrial Health, carried out a health check-up. A total of 949 villagers (260 males, 314 females and 375 children below 12 years of age) were examined in three villages situated very close to tailings-pond at Jaduguda. The conclusion from the study is that the health status of these villagers is almost normal. The health problems they are having are comparable to others in similar socio-economic parameters in any village in India. UCIL transports ore in covered dumpers. The waste rock produced from the mines is dumped as per the guidelines laid by regulatory bodies and regularly monitored. Tailings ponds have been fenced and guarded by CISF personnel round the clock. Any breach that takes place is regularly attended. The pipe burst spilling tailing slurry in December 2006 as referred was attended in the shortest possible time and corrective measures were also taken. There is no basis or truth in the statement that the company supplied tailings as construction materials to the villagers.
It is not true because UCIL never allows the uranium ore (rock) to be taken out by any unauthorized person out of its premises. Company has also made arrangements for washing of uniforms. UCIL has a track record of adopting absolute safe and environment friendly working practices in Uranium Mining and Processing activities as prescribed in national/International safeguards. Company’s commitment to safety of its employees, member of public and maintenance of clean environment is beyond doubts. UCIL operations are also periodically reviewed/ inspected, by the relevant regulatory authorities like Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) & Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) etc.
The second mill with the capacity of 3000 tpd at Turamdih is under stabilization. New mines at mohuldih is in the advance stage of construction Production will also start in year or so. In nutshell the pressure on fuel supply will be eased out considerably.
Construction of new projects depends largely on (i) timely land acquisition (ii) Environmental clearance, (iii) Other statutory clearances like grant of mining lease, forestry clearance etc. Maintenance good industrial climate is also an important factor.
After extraction of uranium, the part of the tailings used for back filling in the mines and remaining tailings are impounded in well engineered tailings ponds which are fenced off. All the water/effluent from mines, process plant and tailing ponds is treated in the Effluent Treatment Plant. The part of treated effluent is being re-used in the process plant and the balance is being discharged to the public domain after ensuring threshold limit values of all parameters. The waste rock produced in mines is partly used for filling in the mined out area and remaining waste rocks are disposed in an area especially earmarked for the purpose. The area also fully fenced off.
The total reserves of Uranium in India, both in the indicated and inferred category are of the order of 76,000 tonnes of U3O8 which can feed fuel for 10,000 MWe for 30 years.
A large quantity of Uranium comes from Jaduguda Mine, Bihar. Commercially exploitable Uranium deposits identified, besides Jaduguda are Narwapahar, Bhatin (U-Ni-Mo), Turamdih East, Turamdih West (U-Cu), Mohuldih, Bagjata-I South and Garadih, Singhbhum district (Bihar), Bodal, Rajnandgaon district, Jajwal, Sarguja district, (M.P.). In some of these areas work has already been commenced by Uranium Corporation of India Limited, under Department of Atomic Energy for their exploitation. In addition, commercially viable Uranium deposit has been located recently in Mahadek (cretaceous) sandstone of the Domiasiat area, Meghalaya.
Investigations in the copper lodes of Mosabani, Surds and Roam-Rakha in the Singhbhum area have led to the establishment of plants for recovery of Uranium as a by-product from copper tailings giving additional resources of Uranium. Other sources identified for the possible extraction of Uranium as by-product are monazite found in the coastal and inland places and Mussorie and Mardeora phosphorites of Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Rare Earths Ltd.(IRE) is already operating the mineral sands separation plant at Chavara to produce minerals such as Iimenite, Rutile, Zircon, Sillimanite etc. Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) a Kerala State Government Undertaking is also carrying out the mining of the beach sands minerals and in addition operating a plant to produce Titanium Dioxide. Further, the company is examining the feasibility of exploiting the minerals in Kayamkulam Belt known as Ayiramthengu. IRE is also studying a proposal from the Government of Kerala to establish a Joint Venture to exploit the heavy minerals in the Neendakara area. The requirements of downstream industries in the state of Kerala for production of Titanium Dioxide are already being met from the production by these units. The principle downstream industries in the Kerala State consist of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) plant at Chavara (KMML) and Trivandrum (Titanium Products Ltd.) and Rare Earths Plant at Alwaye (IRE). The existing downstream industries elsewhere in the country are also drawing their requirements of Beach Sand Minerals from IRE. Further, it is proposed to set up production facilities for Titanium sponge. R&D work for this is underway.
I An economically viable sandstone type Uranium deposit has been identified in Killung block of Meghalaya having 4800 Te of Uranium Oxide with an average grade of 0.1% U3O8. In the Cuddapah basin in Andhra Pradesh exploration carried out so far has resulted in identification of 3554 E of U3O8 in inferred and indicated category.
The Country's annual Uranium production during the last three years is around two hundred metric tonnes a year satisfying the requirements.
I An economically viable sandstone type Uranium deposit has been identified in Killung block of Meghalaya having 4800 Te of Uranium Oxide with an average grade of 0.1% U3O8. In the Cuddapah basin in Andhra Pradesh exploration carried out so far has resulted in identification of 3554 E of U3O8 in inferred and indicated category.
Detailed investigations were carried out over an area of 69 sq.kms. during 1988- 89, and 1062 sq.kms. during January 1990, off Gopalpur Coast, Orissa, in collaboration with Marine Geology Wing of the Geological Survey of India, in near-shore areas. It has been found that the near-shore sandy sediments, at depths of 11 m to 22.5 m isobaths between Gopalpur and Chattarpur, Orissa, contain heavy minerals like Ilmenite, Sillimanite Garnet, Zircon, Rutile, Monazite, Epidote etc. Uranium mining being carried out by UCIL is not at all hazardous to the people residing nearby to the mines. It is to mention here that the UCIL operations are being regularly monitored by the Health Physics Unit/Environmental Survey Laboratory established by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre(BARC). Similar set-up will also be established at new Uranium project sites. UCIL is committed to maintain the various radiological parameters below the threshold limit values/standards recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection(ICRP) and adopted by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board(AERB), a national regulatory authority. UCIL’s operations are under surveillance of various regulatory authorities such as Director General of Mines Safety(DGMS), State Pollution Control Board(SPCB), Ministry of Environment & Forests(MOEF) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board(AERB). These surveillances evaluate the effectiveness of control measures, assess the environmental impacts and ensure regulatory compliance. UCIL has drawn a comprehensive Rehabilitaion & Resettlement scheme, which will be implemented in consultation with Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. The salient features of R&R plan is indicated below. ( i) Provision for employment ( ii) Financial benefits (iii) Housing accommodation for the house oustees (iv) Compensation for agricultural land losers (v) Encouragement to increase business opportunities for rural artisan / small traders and self employed persons affected by land acquisition. ( vi) Vocational traing and skill development (vii) Contract work (viii) Free education for children around the area under Talent Nurture programme ( ix) Medical facilities (x) Free land for community and religious gatherings (xi) Basic amenities like drinking water at resettlement zones