The impact of unregulated industrial tin-tailing processing in Malaysia: Past, present and way forward

Muhammad Abdullah Rahmat, Aznan Fazli Ismail, Eli Syafiqah Aziman, Nursyamimi Diyana Rodzi, Faizal Mohamed and Irman Abdul Rahman

Resources Policy, 2022, vol. 78, issue C

Abstract: The end product of tin tailing processing, specifically heavy minerals, has paved the way for waste utilization contributed by the tin mining and extraction industry in Malaysia. However, the 1994 exemption order of this specific processing industry in complying with the Atomic Licensing Act 1984 has directly impacted plant workers and environmental sustainability in terms of radiation safety. The radiological impact was indicated based on radiation exposure values that exceeded the regulatory limit of 1 mSv/y. Despite these findings, the industry's response to remedy the situation remains stagnant. Due to enforcement and awareness deficiencies, similar radiological risks were still elucidated in recent studies. Notedly, countries that enacted a series of comprehensive guides, laws, and heavy fines have successfully minimized the industry's radiological and environmental effects. Hence, in managing the local tailing processing industry in regard to conduct and risks to the workers and the environment, a robust set of comprehensive laws and regulations must be established, functioning as the foundation of future improvement.

Keywords: NORM; Regulation; Tailing; Ore processing; Radiological safety; Minerals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:78:y:2022:i:c:s0301420722003105

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102864

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