LIMOUSIN

MARGNAC -- shut down

Purpose: production of ore
Type: mine exploited through strip mining and underground mining
Location: Compreignac (Haute-Vienne)
Operator: Cogéma
Period of operation: ?, in operation in 1986
Nominal capacity/actual production: ?

The mine was operated to a depth of 340 meters and was very spread out, as the uranium vein extended for 3 km [Amis 77].

WASTES

The waste rock and 88,068 crushed drums, or 2110 t of metal, from Comurhex Malvési were placed in the trenches for waste rock Mar 1 and Mar 2. Comurhex received from Gabon, from Niger, and from South Africa uranates packaged in recycled petroleum drums. The drums are not reusable for uranates, given the low cost of drums in the countries that are sending the uranates. From 1975 to 1982, Comurhex sent drums to Margnac, seat of the mining division of La Crouzille, after they had been hastily washed and then crushed. Starting in January 1982, the drums were made the object of thorough washing and according to the level of decontamination, were sent to Margnac or to a foundry [Cogéma 91a]. No drums have been deposited there since 1989 [Andra 00].

The prefect of Haut-Vienne is reported to have authorized, by 1989, 1990, and 1991 decrees, the businesses SNC, Screg Ouest and Jean Lefèbvre to exploit the waste rock of Cogéma located in the communes of Saint-Sylvestre and Compreignac. The radioactive wastes serve as materials for the construction of roads. The radioactivity is dispersed in places of public passage.

OTHER PROBLEMS

The Vincou was detoured and now flows, channeled, between the mines of Margnac and Pény [Amis 77].

REMEDIATION

The prescriptions concerning the remediation of this site and Pény have been fixed by a prefectoral decree of 29 January 1996. As of July 2000, remediation was underway [Andra 00].

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