REGULATORY CHALLENGES IN RELATION TO URANIUM LEGACY … · AIEA RLS Workshop – Grand Junction...

Système de management de la qualité IRSN certifié

REGULATORY CHALLENGES IN RELATION TO URANIUM LEGACY IN FRANCE

Système de management de la qualité IRSN certifié

AIEA RLS Workshop – Grand Junction (Colorado, US)

August 21-24, 2012

Presented by Marie-Odile GALLERAND & Jérôme GUILLEVIC

AIEA RLS Workshop – Grand Junction (Colorado, US) August 21-24, 2012 - REGULATORY CHALLENGES

Content

Short presentation of IRSN

The French situation regarding nuclear activities / focus on uranium mining

The French regulation

Technical issues relative to uranium post-mining activities


Role

Public expert body in charge of the scientific and technical assessment related to nuclear and radiological risks

Expertise is based on research

Short presentation of IRSN

Key features

Public body reporting to 5 ministers: Environment, Industry, Health, Defence, Research

Research, expertise and public service mission

1,675 specialists: researcher, doctors, post-doctoral students

A budget of 290 M€, financed up to 82% by public funding

11 locations in France, including 3 major sites: Clamart/Fontenay-aux-Roses, Cadarache, Le Vésinet


The French situation regarding nuclear activities with a focus on uranium mining

The French situation regarding nuclear activities


The French nuclear background An historic and political Choice after the 2nd world war

A strategic choice for energy independence and for military reasons

The complete fuel cycle

Nuclear question is a very sensitive issue Problem of transparency and Public information (Tchernobyl syndrom) Perception of danger Democratic choice of Energy


COMURHEX

EURODIF

Centrale

nucléaire

EDF

Concentré d’oxyde d’uranium

Autunite

Site minier


FUEL CYCLE FACILITIES WASTE REPOSITORIES LABORATORIES REACTORS

LA HAGUE

FLAMANVILLE

BRENNILIS (Monts d’Arrée)

MANCHE

PENLY

GRAVELINES

CHOOZ PALUEL

FONTENAY-AUX-ROSES SACLAY

NOGENT AUBE

CHINON

St- LAURENT DAMPIERRRE

STRASBOURG

FESSENHEIM

CIVAUX

LE BLAYAIS

BUGEY

CATTENOM

BELLEVILLE

CADARACHE

TRICASTIN CRUAS

ROMANS

GRENOBLE CREIS-MALVILLE

MARCOULE GOLFECH

St- ALBAN VEUREY

300 MW

MAUBEUGE

IN SERVICE

REACTORS REP 900 Mwe 1300 Mwe 1400 Mwe

GAZ COOLED

REACTOR HEAVY WATER

DECOMMISSIONED UNIT

FAST NEUTRONS

BASIC NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS

The French situation as regards nuclear activities

Basic Nuclear Installation 58 Pressurized water reactors 25 Fuel cycle facilities 21 Other reactors 15 Effluent and waste treatment plants 13 Laboratories, maintenance facilities 11 Accelerators, irradiators 4 Declassified units 2 Fast neutron reactors 2 Waste repositories


ORGANISATIONS PLAYING AN ACTIVE PART IN NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES

Operators (EDF, CEA, AREVA...)

Processing contractors (SOCODEI, AREVA...)

Interim storage or disposal centre operators (CEA, EDF, ANDRA...)

Organisations responsible for research and development (CEA, ANDRA...)

Each entity is responsible for the safety of its own activities

The French situation as regards nuclear activities

AIEA RLS Workshop – Grand Junction (Colorado, US) August 21-24, 2012 - REGULATORY CHALLENGES August 2012 Grand Junction Workshop 8

NANTES

PARIS

BORDEAUX

LYON

MARSEILLE

STRASBOURG

BASTIA

LODEVE

LE BERNARDAN

M E RM E D I T E R R A N E E

OC

EA

NA

TL

AN

TIC

UE

M A N C H E

0 50 100 150 200 Km

LA BESSE

BERTHOLENE

LIGNOL

PEN AR RAN L'ECARPIERELA COMMANDERIE

TEUFELSLOCHET SCHAENTZEL

BAUZOTGUEUGNON

BOIS NOIRSLIMOUZATROPHIN

St PIERREdu CANTAL

LES BONDONSLE CELLIER

LES PIERRESPLANTEES

RIBIERE

BELLEZANELE FRAISSEFANAY

BESSINESMONTMASSACROT

MARGNAC

AREVA/NC

NANTES

PARIS

BORDEAUX

LYON

MARSEILLE

STRASBOURG

BASTIA

LODEVE

LE BERNARDAN

M E RM E D I T E R R A N E E

OC

EA

NA

TL

AN

TIC

UE

M A N C H E

0 50 100 150 200 Km

LA BESSE

BERTHOLENE

LIGNOL

PEN AR RAN L'ECARPIERELA COMMANDERIE

TEUFELSLOCHET SCHAENTZEL

BAUZOTGUEUGNON

BOIS NOIRSLIMOUZATROPHIN

St PIERREdu CANTAL

LES BONDONSLE CELLIER

LES PIERRESPLANTEES

RIBIERE

BELLEZANELE FRAISSEFANAY

BESSINESMONTMASSACROT

MARGNAC

AREVA/NC

230 mine sites

Working period : 1945 -1995

76 000 tons of U

17 tailings disposals

Tailings :~ 50 000 000 tons

Rehabilitation work period : 1980 – 2001+

A focus on uranium mining in France Current situation



The French regulation Overview of the French regulatory framework and organisation Regulation in effect concerning uranium mining and post-mining activities The recent circular dated July 2009 requiring the continuation of the management of the

former uranium mine sites



THE REGULATORY PYRAMID Legislative

domain

Executive authorities

Industry Standards system

Regulatory domain

Parliament

Design and construction rules Codes and standards

Option letters Basic safety rules (RFS)

Laws

Decrees Ministerial orders

Circulars

Codes

The French regulation Overview of the French regulatory framework and organisation Regulatory framework

The Mining code The Environmental code The Public Health code ….


DESIGNERS BUILDERS

Authorizations Checks

Reports

GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES ASN/DSNR, ministry of environment

OPERATOR

EVALUATION IRSN

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT



Autunite Mining site

BNI regulation Framework : All the installations of the fuel cycle

AUTHORITIES : Nuclear safety Authority (ASN)

ICPE regulation Framework : Repositories

Mining code regulation Framework : Mines

AUTHORITIES : Ministry of environment and ASN



The French regulation Overview of the French regulatory framework and organisation Regulation in effect concerning uranium mining and post-mining activities The recent circular dated July 2009 requiring the continuation of the management of the

former uranium mine sites



Laws and decrees

Authorities : Ministry of Environment and Nuclear Safety Authority

Public Health code

Mining code

Environment code

Licence and site-specific regulatory requirements

Authorities : Prefect of region, local technical support organisation (DRIRE/DREAL)

National level

Local level

The French regulation Regulation in effect concerning uranium mining and post-mining activities Uranium mining and milling regulatory framework


Exploitation

Rehabilitation

Exploration

Treatment ORES Yellow cake

Mill taillings

site ICPE

ICPE

Mining code

Environment code

Public Health code



At national level

The mining code

Set the rules for Uranium ore mining works and facilities Is complemented by two decrees

1980 General Rules applicable to mining and quarrying industries (RGIE)

1990 Specifies technical rules relative to environmental protection : management of radioactive materials ; discharge authorisation ; environment monitoring and control

completed by additional requirements : the Environment Code (for ICPE) the Public Health Code (protection of the population)

based on EURATOM directive and include the (ICRP) principles

At local level National regulations give rise to compliant local regulations taken

by the local authorities (Prefect)



Tailings disposals ENVNT

CODE :

I C P E

Mining sites

Suspension of mining operations (application file submitted by the operator)

End of the mining claim

Start : Mining license (for research, exploration and mining),

Decree (ministry)

MI N I

N

G

CODE

site

Renouncement to the concession by the operator


Rehabilitation and survey

Local Authority order

Start : Authorisation :impact studies, administrative instructions


Document required for any modification of on site industrial activities

study analysing the impact of the project on the environment.

the initial state of the site and of the environment the direct/indirect, temporary /permanent effects of the facility on the

environment the reasons for which, the project was selected among possible solutions the planned measures to reduce or compensate any inconvenience

induced by the facility

a risk analysis, (description of likely accidents due to potential external causes) ;

a management plan to limit the radiological impact on the environment ;

a monitoring plan.



Evolution of the regulation In 1980 and 1993, and 1999 ministry of environment issued several

documents to define fundamental concepts applicable to the final closure of mill tailings disposals and give the objectives and technical requirements for long term

in 2001, in support of the recommandations of the ministry methodological documents have been prepared by institutional technical supports (IRSN and BRGM)

Méthodologie d’évaluation de la stabilité des digues à

stériles uranifères -Application à deux sites

pilotes

2001

Méthodologie d’évaluation de la stabilité des digues à

stériles uranifères -Application à deux sites

pilotes

2001

Expertise de la méthode COGEMA d’identification et de

caractérisation des groupes de référence associés aux

anciens sites miniers

2001

Expertise de la méthode COGEMA d’identification et de

caractérisation des groupes de référence associés aux

anciens sites miniers

2001

Regulation in effect concerning uranium mining and post-mining activities Uranium mining and milling regulatory framework



A new circular dated July, 2009, signed jointly by ASN (the Safety Authority) and the Ministry of the Environment, relative to the management of the former uranium mines in France

Define a plan of actions to pursue the management of the former uranium mines

Address to the local authorities (DRIRE)

Involve many actors (operator, IRSN…)

1. Control the former sites

2. Improve the knowledge of the environmental and health impact and improve monitoring programs

3. Manage the waste rock transferred to the public domain : purpose and impact assessment if necessary

4. Strengthen information and dialogue


Evolution of the regulation



Aim : overhauls in depth the legal framework applicable to nuclear activities and their control, by

creating ASN as an independent administrative authority and including several improvements regarding transparency

Content and basic principles : Prevention, precaution, public participation and the polluter-pays Consolidation of the major radiation-protection principles: justification, optimisation and limitation Statement concerning the fundamental principle involving the primary responsibility of operators with regard to the daily safety of their facilities (a clarification of operators and the regulatory authority of their respective responsibilities).

The TSN Act (Nuclear Transparency and Security act ……….)

In 2006, the French government decided to reinforce the regulation regarding transparency and public information through the TSN Act



Evolution of the regulation


There is still an owner (and responsible) for most of the sites : easier for management of those sites and memory

A structured (but complex) regulation (national and local) adapted to the situation and operational staff (visit and inspections)

Necessary evolution of the regulation in relation to the activities and the issues (mining or rehabilitation works, increase of the knowledge, and social demand)

Feedback experience,

technical analysis

The French regulation : Key points

Is it enough ? Sure No : a lot to learn and do ! (Long

term issues, public information….)

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