All metalliferous mining can negatively impact the surrounding environment and the health of the workers if the project is not designed and operated properly. The radioactivity associated with uranium ore requires special precautions in addition to the general environmental controls that are involved with any mine (environmental audits, compliance with regulations, site rehabilitation).

As with any traditional mine operation (underground and open pit), solid waste, known as tailings, must be disposed of properly. In the case of uranium mining, the tailings are radioactive. U-238 itself is not strongly radioactive. The gamma radiation detected during exploration actually comes from associated elements such as radium, radon gas, and bismuth that have resulted from the decay of the uranium over time. These materials are left with the tailings as is most of the radioactivity. Special steps are taken to ensure that the emission of radioactivity and radon gas from the tailings piles are kept to a minimum. The material in the tailings dam is kept covered by water during the life of the mine, and afterwards the tailings are either covered by clay and vegetation or returned underground. Run-off from the mine stockpiles are collected in secure retention ponds where the heavy metals and other contaminants are recovered.

If it is feasible to do so, the best method of uranium extraction is in-situ recovery (ISR) as it has the least impact on the environment. During this process water and a solution similar to carbonated water are injected into the ground to dissolve the uranium. The resulting slurry is pumped to the surface where the uranium can be recovered. The disruption of the environment is minimized to several boreholes and rehabilitation is much simpler.

Precautions also have to be taken to protect the health of the mine’s workers which include forced ventilation systems in underground mines to minimize exposure to radon gas; dust control; the use of radiation detection equipment; limiting the exposure of workers to radiation which, in the case of high-grade ore is achieved through the use of remote control extraction techniques; and finally the imposition of strict personal hygiene standards.