Experience Gained in Transferring Wismut Radiation Protection Know-How to International Projects in Uranium Mining Remediation

Since 1990, the federally owned corporation Wismut GmbH has been rehabilitating the legacies left behind by some 40 years of intensive uranium ore mining and processing operations in Eastern Germany. Starting in 1996, Wismut has been involved in transferring the know-how gained in the rehabilitation of the Wismut sites to projects outside of Germany. As a rule, radiation protection management and radioecological issues are key elements of these activities. In this work, benefits have been obtained both from the substantial similarities prevailing in the countries of the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Germany after termination of uranium production and from the commonality of the problems to be resolved. This paper describes the possibilities and limits of transferring radiation protection know-how to countries where the rehabilitation of uranium mining liabilities is often to be carried out under circumstances of limited financial, material and human resources. It also describes some lessons learnt. Conclusions for application to future projects are derived. (author)