Abstract
The field radiometric and laboratory measurements were performed at the Sin Quyen copper deposit in North Vietnam. The field gamma-ray spectrometry indicated the concentration of uranium ranging from 5.5 to 87 ppm, thorium from 5.6 to 33.2 ppm, and potassium from 0.3 to 4.7%. The measured dose rates ranged from 115 to 582 nGy/h, the highest doses being at the copper ore. Concentrations in the solid samples were in the range of 20–1700 Bq/kg for uranium, 20–92.7 Bq/kg for thorium, and 7–1345 Bq/kg for potassium. The calculated doses were from 22 to 896 nGy/h; both measured and calculated dose rates are mostly related to uranium. Concentrations of radium in water samples were below 0.17 Bq/L. Uranium in water samples was significantly higher than the hydrogeological background; the maximum of 13 Bq/L was at the waste zone pool, but neither radium nor uranium were present in tap water. Radon concentration in the dwelling air was from 42 to 278 Bq/m3 for 222Rn and from 8 to 193 Bq/m3 for 220Rn. The estimated committed dose rates were principally related to 222Rn concentration and ranged from 1.1 to 8.1 mSv/y.
Highlights
Iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) deposits are usually characterized by a broad spectrum of various minerals
The average concentrations of all mentioned elements are higher than average concentrations of the adequate element in the Earth crust, which are equal to 2.6%, 3.5 and 10 ppm for potassium, uranium and thorium respectively (Lange 1972)
The Sin Quyen IOCG deposit is an elevated natural radiation area; the levels of all investigated radionuclides in the rocks, water and dwelling air are significantly higher than the adequate world averages
Summary
Iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) deposits are usually characterized by a broad spectrum of various minerals. Mining of the ore from such a deposit usually leads to an increased concentration of natural radioactive elements in the mined material which may cause a significant increase of radiation in the environment and it would be a health hazard to the miners and to population of the region. To investigate this effect, both field in situ measurements and laboratory analyses of the collected samples were performed. On the basics of the obtained data, gamma-ray dose rates and annual committed doses were estimated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
