Radiation protection guidelines for mineral sands mining and processing industry were initially developed by the Western Australian Department of Mines in the period 1989 – 1992 and additional documents were produced in 1997. There was a clear need to review and update the guidelines to ensure that they reflect contemporary industry practice and current scientific knowledge.
As a result of a joint project between Resources Safety Division of the WA Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and the Radiation Industry Group of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA, all guidelines have been revised and updated. A number of national and international developments in the area of radiation protection were considered and a new suite of guidelines addresses not only mineral sands industry but also other situations in mining and mineral processing where naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) can present occupational and/or environmental hazard.
These guidelines provide detail for developing and maintaining a system of radiation protection at mining and/or processing operations through a radiation management plan and specific processes for monitoring, controlling and assessing radiation doses as well as regulatory reporting and notifying requirements.