Distribution of gamma emitting radionuclides in gold ore mine from birnin Gwari artisanal goldmine Kaduna state Nigeria

Abstract

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (238U,232Th and40K) were investigated in gold ore mined from Birnin Gwari Artisanal Goldmine in Kaduna state Nigeria using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. Twelve samples were collectedfrom pits at different depths and the locations of pits were marked out using Global Positioning System (GPS). The measured activity concentration due to 238U range from 6.18±3.7 to 66.69±4.9 Bq/Kg with mean value 37.36±5.45, Bq/Kg 232Th range from 16.65±0.8 to 87.29±1.2 Bq/Kg withmean value of 62.69±6.33 and 40K range from 85.13±4.5 to 1564.69±57.9Bq/Kg with a mean value of 997.52±11 9.97 Bq/Kg. The value compared well with published data from other countries and all values from this study arehigher than the world average values and other countries with the exception of 232Th concentration from India and Malaysia that are slightly higher than the mean value of 232Th obtained in this study. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013.