Evaluation of Radiation Hazards Due to Mining Activities in Al Jalamid Mining Area, North Province, Saudi Arabia

Radiometric investigation has been conducted in Al Jalamid phosphate mining area, for purposes of radiation protection. A car-borne monitoring system was used for area monitoring, whereas thermoluminescence dosimeters were used for personal dose rate measurements. Natural radioactivity has been analyzed in groundwater by alpha spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting. The occupational exposure dose rate inside the open mines and the physical beneficiation site was the highest, ranging from 0.08-0.50 mu Sv/h, compared to the normal background values (0.04-0.06 mu Sv/h) recorded on roads and undisturbed topsoil surface. The dose rate was ranging from 0.04-0.1 mu Sv/h inside the chemical beneficiation plant. The personal exposure dose rate measurements indicated that a worker would receive, on average, an occupational radiation dose of about 0.214 mu Sv/h inside the mine sites. It was lowest (about 0.06 mu Sv/h) in the offices located outside the mining and ore beneficiation sites. Gross a and gross ss measurements in groundwater showed activity concentrations ranging from 0.61 to 0.96 Bq/L and from 2.08 to 3.03 Bq/L, with average values of 0.78 +/- 0.08 and 2.44 +/- 037 Bq/L, respectively. All samples have activity levels exceeding the national regulation limit values. Detailed analysis showed that this water contains uranium and radium with average concentrations of 0.12 +/- 0.04, 0.33 +/- 0.04, 0.14 +/- 0.3 and 21 +/- 1.5Bq/L, for 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 222Rn, respectively. The obtained results have been discussed in detail.