Søve Mines
NND is responsible for the clean-up after the mining operations at Søve mines in Telemark. The aim of the cleanup is to ensure that the site can be used without restrictions and that the waste no longer causes harm to the population and the environment.
Background
In the period 1953-1965 AS Norsk Bergverk operated the extraction of the metal niobium and the production of ferroniob at Søve in Telemark.
In the production of ferroniob, the natural elements uranium and thorium were concentrated up to an unnaturally high concentration in the slag deposited on a slope outside the workshop building (the slag heap) as well as another area of concentration (the laundry soil). Today, the slag is mixed with other materials and is partially covered.
Direktoratet for strålevern og atomsikkerhet (DSA) anser at aktivitetsnivået i området ved den nedlagte gruven er så høyt at det må gjennomføres permanent sikring av deler av restmaterialet.
Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet (NFD) ble i 2014 pålagt av Statens strålevern (nåværende DSA) å finansiere og gjennomføre opprydningen i Søve gruver.
On 1 January 2020, NND was commissioned by NFD to take over responsibility for the cleanup in Søve mines.
NND's mission
Norsk nukleær dekommisjonering (NND) forbereder nå oppryddingsarbeidet. Volumet som skal fjernes anslås å tilsvare opp til 5000 tonn.
NND skal vurdere mulige alternativer for opprydding, utarbeide fremdriftsplan og kostnadsanslag. Oppdraget beskrives først i tildelingsbrev 2020 og oppdateres i etterkommende tildelingsbrev for 2021, 2022 og 2023 fra Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet.
Options to be considered:
• Use an already approved landfill
• Establishing a solution locally or developing new solutions/landfills
• The appropriateness of joint solutions for waste from Søve and waste from decommissioning of the nuclear facilities
The goal of the cleanup
The aim of the cleanup is to ensure that in the foreseeable future the waste required for landfill from Søve mines is disposed of so that it does not cause harm or inconvenience to the population and the environment.
After the measures have been taken, the use of the area where the waste subject to landfill is now located shall not be restricted due to the previous presence of the waste from Søve mines.
The Waste: What Should We Clean Up?
The low-radioactive waste at Søve mines comes from natural uranium and thorium in the rock used in the production of the metal Niobium. When the metal was processed, it contributed to a concentration of uranium and thorium in the waste from the process (slag). This type of material is often referred to as “NORM” (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material). That means the radioactivity in the slag is natural, but has increased due to a human activity.
A human activity that causes elevated natural ionizing radiation from the environment is covered by the Radiation Protection Act and the Regulation on the application of the Pollution Act to radioactive pollution and radioactive waste. The regulation tells when the waste must be counted as radioactivity. The slag from Søve mines is above this limit, and must therefore be cleared according to Norwegian law.
Is it dangerous?
Søve is located in the Fens field, where there is a high, natural occurrence of thorium and uranium. That material in the rock that has not been touched by humans is not considered “Norm”, nor is it dangerous or worrisome. These are natural substances, which are found here and there in nature around the world.
The radiation from the slag itself is low. Staying in the area does not pose any danger to people, animals or the surrounding nature. The radiation dose from the slag will only be a small and negligible addition to the natural radiation we are all exposed to. Measurements have shown that no radioactivity is leaking from the slag. No traces have been found in plants or in stream water flowing into Norsjø.
The reason the material is cleaned up is because it is reckoned as “NORM”, not because it is dangerous. It is an important principle in Norway that human activity should not lead to a concentration of radioactive material. Not under any circumstances, no matter how little radioactive or dangerous the material was supposed to be.
As long as the slag is located outdoors, the radon gas emitted by the slag lumps also does not represent a radiation hazard. It is still not recommended to bring slag home with you. In a small, closed room, the radon gas from the pieces of slag will more easily collect.
NND will work closely with local authorities
NND wants an open and transparent process and will cooperate with relevant and affected stakeholders such as the Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (DSA) (supervisory authority), Vestfold og Telemark County Municipality (landowner) and Nome municipality along the way.
NND has had initial meetings and been on faring in the area with Nome Municipality and Vestfold and Telemark County Council.
Historical Timeline
2024
In competition with several other vendors, AF-Decom is awarded the cleanup mission.
2023
A new competitive basis is drawn up where environmental considerations in the procurement are taken into account in accordance with guidelines from the Ministry of Industry and Fisheries
2022
NND decides to re-light competition due to flaws in tender process
The competition shall be conducted as a competition with negotiations in which a qualification of providers is first carried out. It is decided to implement the first phase of the mission as an interaction enterprise.
Read more2021
Proposes $150 million for cleanup efforts
In the revised national budget presented on Tuesday, May 11, the government proposes to set aside 150 million for the clean-up work of the low-level radioactive waste from operations at the Søve mines.
Read more2021
NND lights out tender
In February 2021, NND is launching a tender to dig up, transport and deposit the slag waste in an approved landfill. The volume to be removed is estimated to correspond to up to 5000 tonnes. Estimated value of the contract is 120 MNOK.
Read more2020
Dialogue conference with potential suppliers
On September 9, NND held a digital dialogue conference where we presented our needs and asked for input from the market on solutions for cleaning up, intermediate storage and permanent disposal of the mine waste from Søve mines.
Read more2020
Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) is in charge
From 1 January 2020, the responsibility for cleanup at Søve mines will be transferred to the state agency responsible for the clean-up of Norwegian nuclear activities — Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND).
2014
Orders and money for cleanup, but it can't be done
The State Radiation Protection Agency (now DSA) orders the Ministry of Industry and Fisheries to clean up low-level radioactive contamination and transfer it to an approved landfill. The appropriated money in the State Budget earmarked the purpose. Initiatives for the implementation of the cleanup are initiated, but do not materialize.
2005
NRK Brennpunkt makes documentary about Søve mines
NRK Brennpunkt makes the documentary “Secrets of the Mine”. The clean-up of the low-radioactive waste is actualized.
1983
The area must be secured
The National Institute for Radiation Hygiene (now the Directorate of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (DSA)) concludes that the site must be secured.
1965
The business is closed
The business is shutting down due to a fall in demand for niobium. Slag from the business is abandoned in the area.
1953
A/S Norsk Bergverk builds mining operations
Production levels were at times up to 100,000 to 130,000 tonnes a year. Of this mass, they mostly took out about 350—400 tons of niobium.
1943
The Germans make investigations, and a day break is established
German geologists are investigating whether niobium from the Søve mines could be used in the V1 and V2 rockets. A day break, Cappelengangen, is established.
1934
It is proved that silverite contains niobium oxide
Brøgger and Bjørlykke prove that white contains niobium oxide. The limestone in the Søve mines contains 0.8% niobium, associated with pyrite and magnetite in addition to small amounts of uranium and thorium.
Read more
