The Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) is a statutory body established under the Radiation Protection Act [Chapter 15:15] of 2004 with a mandate to protect people and the environment against effects of radiation.
The Authority hereby gives notification for the regularization of activities covered under the Radiation Protection (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) Regulations (Statutory Instrument 99 of 2013).
“Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material” or “NORM” means naturally occurring materials whose radionuclide concentrations have been increased by or as a result of human practices. NORM does not include the natural radioactivity of rocks or soils, or background radiation, but instead refers to materials whose radioactivity is enhanced by controllable practices (or by past human practices)”.
The following facilities are affected by the regulation;
- Laboratories, Refractories, Refurbishes
- Water Treatment and Purification
- Ceramics and Building Materials
- Scrap Processors and Scrap Smelters
- Fertiliser Producers
- Medium and Large Scale Mining and Mineral Processing Facilities for the following;
- Platinum, Nickel, Chrome
- Gold, Tin, Emeralds
- Phosphates, Iron and Steel
- Coal, Gas and Coal Combustion
- Rare Earth Metals and Heavy Mineral Sands
- Thermal Power Stations
According to this Statutory Instrument, the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe shall establish and maintain a register of licences of all facilities or persons for the above mentioned activities. Therefore, all such persons or facilities are required to regularise their activities by submitting to the Authority written notification of existing or of intention to carry out the practice(s) on the prescribed form by the 1st of January, 2017.
Application forms and applicable fee schedule are available for download here.
For further information please contact us.