Radiological measurement of some nuclides in processed mine tailings in Jos

The Jos plateau is situated in the central part of northern Nigeria; on a rugged terrain of low lands at the edge of the plateau surface. It is the principal centre of tin and columbite mineralization, which forms the focal area of younger granites. The mine tailings are associated with radioactive minerals as impurities such as monazite, zircon among others. These minerals are very radioactive and cause hazards to human health during mining and milling. A total of thirty-one tailings (31) samples from a mining and processing site in Jos were collected at different directions and distance and analyzed for ''4''0K, ''2''2''6Ra and ''2''3''2Th concentrations using NaI(TI) detector, in order to estimate the level of their radiological impact to the public. Samples D8 of ''2''3''2Th, B2 of ''2''2''6Ra D8 of ''4''0K show high concentrations in the composite tailings. D6 of ''2''3''2Th, D5 of ''2''2''6Ra and C7 of ''4''0K show low concentrations in the composite tailings. The highest and lowest concentrations are in D8 of ''2''3''2Th (27930.0 Bq/kg) and D5 of ''2''2''6Ra (364.9 Bq/kg). All concentrations range from (364.9 Bq/kg - 27930.0 Bq/kg) in the tailings. Considering ''2''2''6Ra, ''4''0K and ''2''3''2Th concentrations, it could be said that the major source of radiation in Jos, Plateau State is thorite