Radioactivities related to coal mining

Abstract

Natural radioactivity concentrations due to the coal mining in Gabal El-Maghara, North Sinai, Egypt, were determined using γ-ray spectroscopy. Coal, water and soil samples were investigated in this study. The ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations in coal before extraction were 18.5 ± 0.5, 29.5 ± 1.2 and 149.0 ± 8.4 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. These concentrations were reduced to 18–22% after extraction due to the clay removal of the coal ore. The activity contents of the water and soil samples collected from the surrounding area did not show any evidence of enhancement due to the mining activities. Absorbed dose rate and effective dose equivalent in the mine environment were 29.4 nGy h⁻¹ and 128.0 μSv a⁻¹, respectively. The measured activity concentrations in the mine environment and the surrounding areas (5 km away from the mine) are similar to that found in other regions in North and South Sinai. Based on the measurements of γ-ray emitting radionuclides, the mine activity does not lead to any enhancement in the local area nor represents any human risk.