Non-official translation
The methodology and results of measurement of gamma radiation and stream of beta
particles on the Teghout mine territory
Main concepts and terms
Gamma radiation is the photon (electromagnetic) indirectly ionizing radiation emitted at nuclear
transformations or annihilation of particles. The gamma radiation has a high penetrability (the average
range of photons in the air is approximately 100 m and in biological tissue – 10-15 cm). It presents a
major threat as a source of external irradiation.
The equivalent dose of radiation safety is accepted to measure in Sievert (Sv):
1 Sv = 100 rems; 1 rems = 0.01 joule per kilogram; 1 mSv = 1x10 -3 Sv; 1 microSv = 1x10-6 Sv.
The appropriate level of radioactive natural background 0.1-0.2 microSv per hour is considered as
normal, the level 0.2-0.6 microSv per hour is considered to be permissible and more than 0.6-1.2
microSv per hour is considered as heightened.
Beta radiation is electron (and positron) ionizing radiation with continuous energy spectrum and
emitted at nuclear transformations. Beta particles have a small range (a few meters in the air and a few
centimeters in biological tissue). Beta particles with the power from 0.1 to 2 mSv have a dangerous
influence on the skin, mucous membrane and if it enters the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Beta
particles are dangerous for crystalline lens if the power is more than 2 mSv.
The unit of measure of beta particles from contaminated surfaces is rate per cm2 min.
For the measurements was used the dosimeter-radiometer ERD-02 intended for the measurement
of gamma radiation dose power and estimation of density of beta particles. The equipment allows to
assess the samples of water, soil, and food etc., contaminated with beta, gamma and alpha emissive
nuclides.
The measurements have been carried out in the territory allocated under the open pit, waste rocks
and the processing plant and also close to the administrative corps. The possible contamination of
soil, surface and mine waters was determined. The measurements have been carried out 10 times in
each place. The results are shown in the Table 1.
The radiation parameters were normal in all areas.
The survey was conducted in December 2011 by environmental protection division of
"Lernametalurgiai Institute" CJSC.
Table 1
The results of radiation survey at Teghout copper-molybdenum mining site
Site
Dukanadzor river
(below waste rocks dump)
Coordinates
Height above sea level, m
N – 41o 05’ 10.5’’
E – 44o 51’ 01.5’’
935
Average
Waste rock dump
(I overpass)
N – 41o 05’ 00.4’’
E – 44o 50’ 50.0’’
Average
943
Air

0.011
0.08
0.09
0.1
0.09
0.07
0.06
0.07
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.06
0.05
0.09
0
0.04
0.02
0.03
0
0.02
0.01
0.03
0.06
0
0.03
Soil

0.09
0.07
0.08
0.08
0.07
0.09
0.1
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.08
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.11
0.1
0.1
0.09
0.1
0.08

0.03
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.06
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.09
0.09
0.06
Water

0.08
0.09
0.11
0.09
0.08
0.1
0.1
0.09
0.07
0.08

0.05
0.04
0.06
0.07
0.07
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.05

0.1
0.09
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.09
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.1
0.08
0.07
0.08
0.1
0.11
0.06
0.07
0.09
Site
Open pit
Coordinates
Height above sea level, m
N – 41o 05’ 08.4’’
E – 44o 50’ 39.2’’
1073
Average
Processing plant
N – 41o 06’ 11.5’’
E – 44o 50’ 13.2’’
Average
1047
Air

0.05
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.07
0.06
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.03
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.08
0.08
0.07
0.05
0.07
Soil

0.09
0.1
0.09
0.07
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.05
0.07
0.09
0.1
0.08
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.08
0.1
0.1
0.08
0.12
0.09

0.04
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.07
0.08
0.06
0.09
0.08
0.09
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.1
0.11
0.1
0.11
0.1
0.09
Water

0.09
0.1
0.09
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.07
0.07
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.08
0.1
0.1
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.16
0.13
0.11


Site
Adit (historical)
Coordinates
Height above sea level, m
N – 41o 05’ 14.6’’
E – 44o 51’ 51.8’’
896
Air

Soil

Average
Yard of administrative corps
N – 41o 06’ 27.5’’
E – 44o 50’ 59.8’’

Water


0.09
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.05
710
Average
Head of environmental protection division of "Lernametalurgiai Institute" CJSC
0.1
0.11
0.11
0.09
0.07
0.08
0.06
0.05
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.07
0.16
0.15
0.15
0.13
0.12
0.09
0.1
0.09
0.07
0.06
0.08
0.11
H. Nikoghosyan

0.09
0.09
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.09
0.08
0.09
0.09
0.09