Beginning in February, truck movements in and around the ANSTO Lucas Heights campus will increase. This is part of an approved project to remove general solid waste, building waste, and some mineral sands used in rare earth metals research, to make way for future site redevelopment. To maximise safety and minimise inconvenience, ANSTO has plans in place to manage truck movements, ensure effective traffic flow, reduce noise, suppress dust, and monitor air quality.
Project overview
ANSTO is adding to its world-class facilities by expanding its deep technology Innovation Precinct to support Australian science, technology, innovation, and the smart jobs of tomorrow.
As part of the ANSTO Innovation Precinct expansion plan, co-location opportunities are being made available for universities, startups, and businesses, to design and build their own fit-for-purpose office, laboratory, manufacturing, or warehouse facilities. As such, some aging infrastructure onsite will be removed to accommodate this development.
Background information
This project involves the removal of general solid and building waste, and some mineral sands which are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM).
Monazites sands, known as ‘mineral sands’, were brought to ANSTO for process development, in studies on the extraction of rare earth metals. Australia is highly regarded as a centre of excellence in this research area as rare earth metals are important in the mining and refining industries.
The bulk materials were subsequently stored underground onsite. As this part of ANSTO’s campus has been earmarked for redevelopment, the materials need to be safely removed.
Radiation is part of everyday life. There is a naturally occurring low level of radioactivity in the soil we use, the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the buildings in which we live.
NORM can reach the earth’s surface through natural processes or human activities, such as mining, or oil and gas extraction. The term distinguishes these types of radioactive materials from human-made sources, including material which becomes radioactive through nuclear processes, such as nuclear medicine production.
The NORM to be removed is comparable to the amount of radioactivity found in concrete aggregate – a granite-like material often referred to as blue metal.
ANSTO, Australia’s knowledge centre for nuclear science and technology, has almost 70 years of expertise in the safe and responsible management of nuclear materials on our campuses.
The ANSTO project team has planned the safe remediation of the site using proven, standard techniques. The plans, reviewed by the independent nuclear regulator, are designed to maximise safety and minimise inconvenience and will be carried out by expert contractors.
The general waste and mineral sands are being transported to appropriate waste facilities.
Project dates
Work is scheduled to commence on 9 February 2023 and conclude on 22 May 2023.
Contact us
Any questions? Please contact ANSTO Communications Team