Two ANSTO Minerals consultants who are experts in the management of residues and waste associated with naturally occurring radioactive minerals (NORMs) are presenting at an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) interregional workshop in Malaysia from 19-23 of October.
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| Deputy Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Zulkifli Mohamed Hashim (left) with Chris Griffith from ANSTO Minerals at an IAEA Interregional workshop in Kuala Lumpur |
Chris Griffith and Sue Brown are attending the Interregional Workshop on Good Practices on NORM Residues and Waste Management held in association with the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), which is being held to provide expertise to operators and regulators from NORM industries from IAEA Member States across the globe.
Both are taking part at the request of the IAEA. Griffith is sharing his expertise on radionuclide deportment in rare earth processing.
Brown will be discussing the development of techniques to undertake measurement of radionuclides in different process streams and waste and residue materials.
“We will be using our extensive involvement in NORM industries, particularly rare earth and copper processing to provide participants with an opportunity to understand the major issues and factors affecting the measurement and behaviour of NORMs in a variety of hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes,” said Griffith.
The workshop is part of the framework of a larger IAEA project promoting the safe and efficient clean-up of radioactively contaminated facilities and sites.
All minerals and raw materials contain radionuclides of natural origin. Some mineral operations give rise to enhanced exposures to radionuclides that are controlled and therefore an understanding of the radioactivity deportments and the means to undertake accurate measurements are of paramount importance.
ANSTO is a partner of the IAEA.