Baseline Radioactivity Measurements In The Vicinity Of A Gold Processing Plant

Abstract

Studies were conducted in the vicinity of a gold processing plant at Tarkwa (Western Region, Ghana) to obtain baseline radioactivity data prior to the installation of Cs-137 nuclear density gauges for quality control measure-ment of the density of slurry in the pipelines at the plant. A survey meter, gamma spectrometry and alpha-guard were used to obtain data on radionuclide concentrations in the environment, and determine the effective dose to workers. The results indicated the absence of any artificial radioactivity within the environs of the plant. The levels of Cs-137 before installing the gauges were within the detection limit of 1.5 Bq/kg. The effective doses estimated from the naturally occurring radionuclides were within the limits set by International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Journal of Applied Science and Technology Vol. 12 (1&2) 2007: pp. 18-24