Reclamation of uranium tailings: A critical assessment of current practice

This paper presents a detailed review of the often misunderstood theoretical approach to the design and construction of covers for uranium tailings. The purpose of the cover is to mitigate the adverse effects of uranium tailings on the public health and safety. Topics considered include radon emanation reduction, long-term stability, and radon attenuation. Uranium mill operators are required to prepare detailed reclamation plans to reclaim inactive uranium tailings ponds. The design, implementation and performance of a cover for uranium tailings is the most costly and controversial aspect of uranium mill tailings reclamation. Several methods are offered to stabilize tailings prior to cover placement. It is concluded that coupling the practical knowledge of cover implementation with realistic theoretical assessments can provide optimum covers which meet the goal of public health and safety