[Determination of natural ionizing radiation exposure near copper mines in Poland]

The results of preliminary tests of natural ionising radiation performed in the area of mining plants and their surroundings have been presented. The survey included measurements of radon concentration and gamma-ray dose rate in free air at 25 locations, 40K, 226Ra and 228Th determination in 48 samples of ore, ore concentrate, floatation tailings, rock and soil as well as 226Ra determination in 11 samples of mine water and river. It was found that the natural radioactivity of ore, rock, concentrate and tailings from mine is higher than the environmental background. For that reason a technologically enhanced natural radiation may occur at some places of mining plants and surrounding areas. Those places must undergo full dosimetric investigation and be under control. It was impossible to estimate how much the environment is contaminated by radon and water coming from mine. However one can say that generally the gamma ray background and radon concentration in free air of this region are at the level considered as a normal.