1. Update on progress with development of DS459
Management of Radioactive Residues from Mining, Mineral Processing, and other NORM related Activities
Zhiwen Fan, John Rowat
Waste and Environmental Safety Section
Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

2. Outline Background Status of the development Challenges
Potential activities
Summary

3. History of NORM residue safety standards

4. DS459 – Title and Scope
Proposed title: Management of Radioactive Residues from Mining, Mineral Processing, and other NORM related Activities
Scope:
radioactive residues that arise from mining, and milling of ores for the extraction of uranium or thorium,
and to other industries including mining and processing of other ores, the oil and gas industry and the phosphate industry.

5. DS 459 - Audience Recommendations and guidance to
Regulatory bodies,
Operating organizations,
Technical support organizations,
and other interested parties
on safe management of radioactive residues arising from the mining, milling other NORM related activities

6. DS459
Life cycle guidance on the site selection and evaluation and design of management facilities, and on their construction, operation and closure, decommissioning and termination, including organizational and regulatory requirements.
Guidance on the development of a safety case and safety assessment for NORM residues, as required by GSR-4.
Principally directed towards the management of residues generated by new facilities. It may not be practical to apply all of these recommendations to existing facilities.
Certain non-radiological characteristics of the residues may pose significant hazards and risks.

7. DS459

8. Safety documents for NORM residue
4/21/2017

9. Process for DS459 Development

10. Preparing the draft >>>>>>
1st CM: 3-7 September 2012
2nd CM, April 2013
3rd CM, 4-8 November 2013
>>>>>>
Technical Meeting to provide feedback on draft safety guides on management of radioactive residues from the mining, mineral processing and other NORM activities, September 2014

11. Challenges
Worldwide, broad industry, weak awareness of risk, lack of experience in regulatory control
Increasing recognition of NORM residues as resource rather than waste but vulnerable due to very dynamic, public acceptance, possible constraint
Disposal options seem to be clear. Challenged with dilution/dispersion via isolation/containment, long term management, access to landfill sites
Technical incapability

12. Sustainable solutions
To protect people and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation without unduly limiting the NORM activities
Comprehensive and graded regulatory scheme based on and supported with solid scientific and technological basis
Broad awareness and acceptance from various stakeholders
Integrated with non-radiological control
4/21/2017

13. Support implementation of DS459
4/21/2017

14. Building technical capability
- Identification and characterization of NORM residues
- Safety assessment for management options
- Reuse and recycle of NORM residues
Disposal of NORM residues
Remediation of NORM contaminated sites

15. Summary
MSs have growing and urgent demand to a safety guidance for NORM residues
Solution-based management program for NORM residue may be established
Challenges are existing worldwide for NORM residue management, especially in term of awareness, reuse/recycle and disposal
Strategic and pragmatic thinking is needed to develop sustainable solutions for NORM residues

16. 4/21/2017