Dismantling of other facilities

Dismantling of the Andújar Uranium Mill


In 1986, Enresa took charge of the pre-dismantling tasks and the implementation of the Dismantling and Decommissioning Plan for the Andújar Uranium Mill in Jaén.

The basic operational criteria were:

  • avoiding risks to people and the environment
  • preventing the dispersion of contaminants
  • monitoring the radon gas flux
  • ensuring the long-term stability of the structures
  • minimising the need for maintenance

The main activities comprised:

  • decontamination and shredding of the existing equipment for storage in casks or metal crates inside the tailings dam;
  • demolition of buildings and constructions and compaction with the tailings for incorporation into the dam;
  • restructuring and stabilisation of the tailings dam;
  • placement of covering layers and environmental restoration, involving several multi-purpose protective layers spread over the stabilised dam and revegetation of the whole area to enable its integration into the landscape.

Aerial views of the Andújar Uranium Concentrates Factory after dismantling
 Aerial views of the Andújar Uranium Concentrates Factory before dismantling

Move the controller to change between before/after

Once the rehabilitation work was completed, a monitoring and surveillance system was implemented at the site to ensure compliance with project’s objectives. The Plan includes monitoring of the quality of surface and ground water, radon levels, possible changes in the dam’s covering layer, trespass, etc.

PIMIC


Implementation of the Integrated Plan for the Improvement of the Facilities of the Centre for Energy-related, Environmental and Technological Research (PIMIC) began in 2000.

Its aims are:

  • modernisation of the facilities
  • improvement and clean-up of infrastructures
  • dismantling of the six shutdown and obsolete radioactive installations
  • clean-up of areas with residual contamination from previous activities

The general rehabilitation project is being implemented by Ciemat itself, while the Dismantling Plan and restoration of contaminated areas was entrusted to Enresa. It has been carried out between 2006 and 2018.