What is Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)? Fundamentally, under this term (natural) materials e.g. rocks or soil which naturally comprise radionuclides are subsumed.

Moreover, the term NORM is used as a category of residues, which unintentionally accumulate as radioactive by-products: by certain technical activities naturally contained radionuclides become concentrated (Technically Enhanced/TE-NORM). By contrast, if the contained radioactivity is purposefully utilized, residues are defined as radioactive waste. 

If NORM is exposed to the biosphere contained radionuclides like uranium or thorium (as well as daughternuclides like radium or radon) can spread into the environment leading to exposure or uptake. Though activity levels are usually modest (in comparison with certain artificial radionuclides), also due to the often long-living nature NORM is considered as potential hazard. Applicable regulations for the management of NORM can differ from country to country, e.g. limit values, requirements for disposal etc.

One important source of NORM is production of uranium including mining, milling and refining. Note that in the US uranium tailings are not classified as NORM, but as radioactive waste. Other countries take a different approach (e.g. UK). Anyhow, GeoEnergy Consult provides with solutions for uranium tailings and for other respective residues: the technical challenges, regardless if classified as NORM or radioactive waste, are often similar.

Another important source of NORM is mining for rare-earth metals (REE), because respective minerals, e.g. monazite often contain radionuclides like thorium. Thus, in the course of further processing NORM residues accumulate.

Though uranium and REE production are of most significance here, even mining for apparently non-radioactive commodities like tantalum, phosphates etc. can cause NORM challenges, if ores contain radioactive accessory minerals.

In addition also several other industry sectors can face NORM challenges, most notably oil & gas production, where e.g. precipitation of radioactive scales can occur.

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