Uranium exploration in Brazil and its consequences

Abstract

In the mid-70s, the former NUCLEBRAS carried out several studies to prospect for uranium minerals in the Northeast region. However, the anomalous occurrence of uranium and thorium located in the Agreste Semiárido region of Pernambuco, in the Pernambuco municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa drew the attention of technicians. However, after detailed studies, it was found that, despite the high concentrations of uranium and thorium, the occurrences were punctual, which made its extraction economically unfeasible. Despite being considered economically unviable, the inhabitants of the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa are subject to high levels of natural radiation, which can result in damage to health. In Brazil, the exploration of radioactive ores is the responsibility of the Federal Government, with the National Nuclear Energy Commission (NNEC) being responsible for the administration of such resources, with the Nuclear Industries of Brazil (NIB) responsible for mining activities. Considering Brazilian law, NNEC is also responsible for radioactive deposits considered economically unviable, as it is a regulatory and supervisory body for all nuclear activities in the country. Thus, and within this context, the present study aimed to research, under Brazilian law, the legal responsibility for the natural radioactive anomaly existing in the Pernambuco and Pedra de Venturosa municipalities. For this purpose, a bibliographic review search in the specialized literature was used. The results obtained showed that, legally, CNEN is responsible for the natural radioactive anomaly located between the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa, and therefore, it must adopt mitigating measures of radiological protection in those municipalities.