After consideration of comments and in the light of judgements by a wide range of state authorities, approval may then be given by the state government for the project to proceed. However, uranium minerals are always associated with more radioactive elements such as radium and radon in the ore. Therefore, although uranium itself is not very radioactive, the ore which is mined, especially if it is high-grade, is handled with some care, for occupational health and safety reasons. Radioactive elements occur in some other ores, such as mineral sands, and in trace amounts are notable in granites. This sets strict health standards for exposure to gamma radiation and radon gas.
Standards apply to both workers and members of the public.
The gamma radiation comes principally from radium in the ore, so exposure to this is regulated as required. In particular, dust is suppressed, since this represents the main potential exposure to alpha radiation. Australian uranium mines have mostly been open cut and therefore naturally well ventilated. The Olympic Dam underground mine is ventilated with powerful fans. Radon levels are kept at a very low and certainly safe level in Australian and Canadian uranium mines.