Mining, through technological processes, creates large amounts of industrial residues that potentially contain high concentrations of radionuclides. The radiological impact on the health of employees on the premises of the phosphate fertilizer plant of the industrial complex “Trepça” - Mitrovica, is investigated by measuring gamma dose rates, total alpha/beta and gamma, and radionuclide concentrations in residues. The results show that the gamma radiation dose rates are comparable with background radiation, ranging from 70 to 285 nSv/h. Activity concentrations of gross alpha, gross beta, and gross gamma are found to vary between 380-610 Bq/kg, 354-570 Bq/kg, and 162-375 Bq/kg, respectively. The highest activity concentration is found in the phosphogypsum residue, which is further analyzed by means of gamma-ray spectrometry, with the concentration levels ranging from 6±1 Bq/kg (228Th) to 350±30 Bq/kg (226Ra).
Based on the results presented, we can conclude that the relevant radiological risk for workers at the location of the phosphate fertilizer plant of the industrial complex “Trepça” – Mitrovica, may result from phosphogypsum residue.