Abstract
The uranium mines in Jadugoda and the surrounding areas of the Singhbhum thrust belt in Jharkhand State are currently active mines in India. These mines play a crucial role in providing fuel to nuclear power plants. From 1968, Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) began its uranium mining and processing operations in Jadugoda, that is predominantly inhabited by tribal communities. Radiation exposure resulting from uranium mining and processing in Jadugoda, has been a concern for the last two decades. Organizations such as ‘Jharkhandi Organization against Radiation’ (JOAR) were founded in Jadugoda and began to protest and accuse UCIL of neglecting public health concerns. They have discovered information about individuals experiencing physical deformities, tuberculosis, cancer, and previously unidentified illnesses occurring among the population in and around the uranium plant. These symptoms were attributed to the effects of radiation. Tailing ponds also causes a substantial release of harmful gases and nuclear radiation, resulting in the pollution of water, vegetation, soil, and ultimately, the food chain. This article provides a concise overview of the uranium mining, ore processing, and waste management operations in jadugoda.
Keywords: Uranium mines, Jadugoda, Radiation, exposure, Tailing ponds
Introduction
The Indian government has taken measures to significantly expand the nuclear power capacity from 7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2031-32 (Sharma, 2023). It is said that progress comes at a cost, the price of the expansion is in the eastern state of Jharkhand, in Jadugoda. Jadugoda, situated at 22º65’60.15” N 86º35’28.82” E, is a census town situated in the Musabani block in the Ghatshila subdivision of the East Singhbhum district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. In the native sadri language, Jadugoda means “the land of magic.” It used to be a beautiful region with deep woods, little villages encircled by hills, and industrious tribal people. The inhabitants of Jadugoda are experiencing severe adverse effects because of industrial progress, facing significant challenges to their well-being and self-sufficiency (Sonowal, 2020).
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), which was founded in 1967 as a public sector enterprise under the administrative supervision of the Department of Atomic Energy, is responsible for carrying out indigenous uranium extraction in India. The primary goal of UCIL is to mine and process uranium ore in order to produce uranium concentrate. The extracted ore is processed at the Jaduguda Mill, where it undergoes crushing, wet grinding, and leaching to extract uranium, which is finally precipitated and dried as yellowcake. In 1968, UCIL began operations in Jadugoda, where it mined and processed uranium ore. The ore is extracted and supplied into the Jadugoda processing facility from three underground mines: Bhatin, Narwapahar, and Jadugoda, all within a close proximity of approximately 22 km from Jaduguda. The low-grade uranium ore (0.1% U3O8) from all of these mines is currently processed at the Jaduguda mill. The Jadugoda Uranium Mining and Plant was constructed on terrain that was once inhabited by indigenous people. On the tribal people’s agricultural fields, three tailing dams have been built. There are over a hundred thousand tons of nuclear waste stored in the tailing ponds of Jadugoda. This waste produces a significant amount of toxic gases and nuclear radiation, which has led to contamination of the water, vegetation, soil, and ultimately, the food chain. It is important to note that nuclear waste can remain radioactive and dangerous for an extremely long time. The region’s ecology and human health have been significantly impacted by the uranium tailing ponds at Jadugoda. The land and water around the ponds are apparently contaminated to a level 10 to 100 times greater than normal by the radioactive waste (Nayan, 2015).
2.0 Uranium Tailing Ponds in Jadugoda
Jaduguda has three valley dam-type tailings ponds. The first and second tailings ponds (I and II), which have surface areas of around 33 and 14 hectares, respectively, are situated next to one another in a valley that has hills on three of its sides and artificial embankments on the side that drains naturally downstream. These two containment ponds for tailings are almost full and prepared for closing. The third tailings pond (III), which is now in operation, is around 30 hectares in surface area. These tailings ponds have very low permeable bedrock and overlying soil. The tailings ponds did not enclose properly by any fencing to prevent unauthorized entry (Jha et al., 2016).
The tailings include fine-grained primary and secondary minerals in solid phases. Primary minerals include silicate minerals like quartz, feldspar, and clay as well as any residual sulfides that have resisted leaching in the mill and have remained mostly unchanged. Reagents applied during processing and neutralization cause ore species to precipitate, forming secondary minerals such as Ca sulfate and Fe oxyhydroxides. The tailings’ fine fraction, which includes colloids, is mostly composed of clay, sulfate salts (such as barite (BaSO4) and gypsum (CaSO42H2O), and oxyhydroxides of Fe, Al, Mn, and Si. The tailings also contain significant amounts of hazardous elements such as arsenic, lead, vanadium, along with radioactive substances from the decay of uranium-238(Radium 226, Radon 222, Thorium 230) (Tripathi et al., 2008). (Fig.1)
2.1 Ecological Effect due to Uranium Waste in Jadugoda
Improperly disposing of mill tailings without liners during the early decades of uranium mining has resulted in significant contamination of soils, surface waters, and groundwater.
The primary source of the radiation hazard from tailing ponds is 222Rn and its daughter products (Panigrahi et al., 2018). Waste disposal practices in Jadugoda, such as the creation of tailing ponds, have been found to be hazardous, causing significant ecological harm and putting local communities at risk as they depend on these natural resources for their daily necessities. The region has experienced a decrease in biodiversity due to the negative impact of toxic waste on the local plants and animals. In addition, there have been significant findings of elevated radioactivity levels in the environment, which are further contributing to the deterioration of the ecosystem (Khan et al., 2002). Radioactive particles may fly airborne and settle over a large region when tailings are exposed to wind and weathering, contaminating the surrounding plants and soil (Kossoff et al., 2014). This may hinder the development of plants, lower agricultural yield, and endanger the health of people and animals if polluted dust is inhaled or consumed.
Storing waste rock after uranium mining has been found to raise the levels of heavy metals in the surrounding soil (Mandeng et al., 2019). This can result in soil contamination and the absorption of these metals by plants, causing disturbances to the local plant and animal life. Uranium tailings have a negative impact on water quality. When erosion and seepage occur from tailings ponds, it can result in the transportation of harmful substances such as radionuclides and heavy metals into the surrounding water bodies (US National Research Council, 2011). This, in turn, has a significant impact on the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems. These pollutants have the ability to build up in sediments and accumulate in aquatic organisms, which can then make their way into the food chain and have an impact on fish, birds, and mammals
The failure of disposal sites can have a profound effect on the environment. There are multiple ongoing concerns that require attention. These include the release of radioactive dust from dry tailings, the erosion of tailings from the containment structure, and the discharge of effluent. There have been numerous incidents involving active and inactive tailings dams, with most of them being caused by slope instability, seepage, overtopping, and earthquakes (Strachan, 2002). For instance, an incident occurred at a uranium tailing’s facility in Church Rock, New Mexico, where a dam wall was breached. This resulted in the release of a significant amount of radioactive water and contaminated sediment. The incident had a wide-reaching impact, affecting approximately 110 km of the Rio Puerco (Sonowal, 2020).
3.0 Understanding the Health Hazards of Radiation in Jadugoda
Citizens of Jadugoda are at risk of radioactivity through various channels. The mining and milling activities involving uranium generate dust and release radon gas, which miners inhale, leading to internal irradiation. Uncovered trucks transport uranium ore on bumpy roads, resulting in the deposition of radioactive debris along the roadside. Uncovered and unlined ponds are used to dump the mine’s tailings, resulting in the emission of radon gas and gamma radiation, which retain a high percentage of the original radiation (Landa, 2004). The villages located near the tailing ponds experience the most severe impact. Throughout the dry season, the villages are affected by the blowing dust from the tailings and in the monsoon season the radioactive waste is released into the nearby creeks and rivers. This leads to additional internal radiation exposure as villagers unknowingly use the contaminated water for washing, drinking, and even fishing in the nearby ponds (Sonowal and Jojo, 2003).
Uranium tailings have the potential to significantly affect the health and fertility of soil (Chen et al., 2021). Radionuclides and heavy metals have the potential to disrupt soil chemistry, which can negatively impact the ability of the soil to sustain plant life (Chernysh et al., 2024). These changes in vegetation patterns can have a significant impact on the local wildlife, which relies on these plants for both food and habitat. When it comes to contaminated soils, there is a potential risk to human health if they are used for agriculture. This is because crops grown in these soils have the ability to accumulate harmful substances.
Table 3.1: Components of Uranium waste and associated Health Issues
| Elements | Effects | Target Organ |
| Uranium | Kidney damage, birth defects, fibrosis, liver damage and nervous system | Lung, bone, stomach, brain and skin. |
| Radium | Bone and blood effects at very high levels. | Eye, breast, liver, kidney and nervous system. |
| Radon | Lung pulmonary fibrosis at very high levels. | Liver, bone, pancreas, lymph. |
| Vanadium | Birth defects and inhibition of key cellular enzymes. | Kidney, central nervous system |
| Arsenic | Causes hyper-and hypo-pigmentation and hyperkaratosis of the skin. Toxic to the nervous system, can cause jaundice (liver) | Lung, skin, liver, bladder, and kidney |
| Magnesium | Neropsychiatric disorder (similar to Parkinson’s disease), liver and lung damage. Decreased male fertility. | Liver, Lung |
| Beryllium | Lung disease (berylliosis), skin hypersensitivity, immunological changes, and kidney damage. | Lung |
Based on a study conducted by a team from Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) in 2007, there has been a notable increase in the occurrences of congenital deformities among infants, higher rates of sterility, and a rise in cancer-related deaths in Jadugoda. Studies have shown a concerning decrease in life expectancy for individuals residing in close proximity to the mines. Shockingly, a staggering 68.33 percent of the population is experiencing premature mortality before reaching the age of 62. A recent study conducted by researchers from Kyoto University in Japan has uncovered alarming levels of uranium contamination in the vicinity of a tailing pond and along the stream that transports the tailing waste to the nearby Subernarekha river. It was also discovered that there are elevated levels of radiation on the roads used for transporting uranium ore to the mill in Jadugoda (Koide, 2004).
Laxmi Das, a Jadugoda native, has lost five infants within a week of their birth and had three miscarriages. Upon learning that her ninth child, Gudia, had cerebral palsy and would need bed rest for the rest of her life. In 2012 Gudia’s death, leaving her memories scarred. Many women in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand share Laxmi’s suffering in Jadugoda, a place rich in uranium. Anyone can find a relevant example by referring to the video evidence available at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2DOfnqFNbQ&t=3s).
The issue of radiation first gained attention in Jadugoda when the Indian Federation of Trade Union (IFTU), a labor wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist), advocated for “radiation allowances” for workers who were exposed to radioactive rays in 1979. Despite the unsuccessful strike in 1979, it sparked a newfound awareness among educated tribal youth who had previously been indifferent to the harmful effects of radiation on the Adivasis living in Jadugoda. In 1989, a group of prominent members from the All-Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) decided to break away from the organization and establish a new group called Jharkhand Adivasi Berojgar Visthapit Sangh (JABVS), also known as the Jharkhand Tribal Unemployed Displaced Committee. They initiated a separate movement to address the issues of displacement and unemployment in Jadugoda.
The leaders of JABVS and educated youth in Jadugoda became aware of the harmful effects and various concerns associated with uranium mining and radiation when the organization members learned about the upcoming World Uranium Hearing-4. This international event was scheduled to take place in Salzburg, Austria from September 13 to September 18, 1992. A four-member delegation participated in this Hearing and returned with valuable knowledge about the impact of radiation on health, as well as the exploitation of tribal communities through displacement and deprivation of resources. In February 14, 1998, a new organization called ‘Jharkhandi Organization Against Radiation (JOAR)’ was formed with the aim of addressing the public health concerns caused by radiation and the displacement of tribal people, due to UCIL’s lack of concern (Sarangi and Kundu, 2004).
Conclusion
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited plays a crucial role in supporting individuals of Jadugoda by offering employment opportunities, which in turn helps them sustain their livelihoods. If the issue of radiation is indeed a concern, individuals are faced with a difficult decision: either avoid UCIL and suffer from hunger, or accept UCIL and face the risks of radiation exposure. It is interesting to observe that individuals have often opted to face the uncertain consequences of radiation rather than granting to the certainty of hunger. Additionally, ongoing protests continue to raise two important points. If the impact of radiation is indeed a reality, then these protests are undoubtedly genuine. However, if the impact is not proven, the persistence of these protests may be attributed to the potential for political gain, power, fame, and financial opportunities under the guise of activism and the protection of tribal and human rights. However, the indigenous communities in that area continue to bear the brunt of the situation, both in terms of physical and psychological impact. The company should prioritize meeting the demands of the people, ensuring compliance with international safety standards in handling radioactive materials, and providing appropriate medical care to those affected by radiation.
It is widely acknowledged that the Uranium industry plays a crucial role in the production of nuclear energy, which is highly regarded as a reliable and low-carbon source of energy. The stability and affordability of nuclear energy are crucial for ensuring energy security and price stability, which in turn support economic stability and growth of the country. Utilizing this sustainable energy source not only aids in combatting climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, but also safeguards the environment and lessens the economic vulnerabilities linked to climate-related catastrophes. It is important to implement sustainable practices in uranium mining and tailings storage. This requires a range of approaches that prioritize minimizing environmental impact, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting social responsibility. Utilizing in-situ leaching, a method that dissolves uranium from the ore underground and pumps the solution to the surface, greatly minimizes surface disruption and the requirement for extensive excavation. This method, when compared to conventional mining, provides a reduced ecological impact and mitigates disturbance to natural habitats, making it a more sustainable choice for uranium extraction.
Managing uranium tailings, the leftover waste from uranium extraction, is a crucial component of sustainable mining. Proper handling and storage are crucial to prevent any potential environmental contamination, as tailings may contain low levels of radioactivity and other hazardous substances. Utilizing advanced containment techniques, such as engineered barriers and liners, effectively isolates tailings from the surrounding environment. In addition, the practice of covering tailings storage facilities with layers of soil and vegetation can effectively minimize the dispersion of radioactive dust and prevent the infiltration of water. This is crucial in preventing the contamination of groundwater with harmful substances.
Promoting the involvement of local communities and upholding ethical mining practices are crucial aspects of achieving sustainable uranium mining. Open and honest communication, equitable compensation, and involving community members in decision-making processes are essential for fostering trust and gaining support from the local community. It is crucial for mining companies to follow rigorous environmental and social governance (ESG) standards to safeguard the well-being and livelihoods of neighboring communities. Recognizing the significance of indigenous groups and upholding their land rights is crucial for cultivating harmonious relationships and preventing potential disputes.
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