Dam failure of decantation pond at Comurhex uranium conversion plant, Malvési (Aude, France)

(last updated 16 Nov 2014)

> See also:

• Current Issues - Comurhex uranium conversion plant, Malvési (France)
• Current Issues - Tailings Dam Safety
• Chronology of major tailings dam failures

On March 20, 2004, a dam failure at a decantation and evaporation pond of the Malvési conversion plant released approx. 30,000 cubic metres of liquid and slurries. The liquid contained high concentrations of nitrate and led to elevated nitrate concentrations of up to 170 mg/L in the canal of Tauran for several weeks, while uranium concentrations remained unchanged. The dam failure is believed to be caused by an "abnormal presence of water" due to heavy rain in summer 2003.

BEFORE:

AFTER: Satellite view: Google Maps

Sources:
Rapport environnemental, social et sociétal 2004, COMURHEX Malvési
Bilan annuel de fonctionnement, CLIC du 25/11/05, AREVA
 

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