Instrumental neutron activation analyses of uranium and thorium in samples from tin mining and processing sites

•We have used k0-INAA to determine the heads of thorium and uranium decay series.•We have also determined the radionuclide, 235U, using k0-INAA.•Results are reliable judging from the technique's accuracy and precision.•The technique requires no secular equilibrium and less sample preparation requirements.•Results are useful in remediation and tracking geologically biased radiation changes.

Sediment and process-waste rich in industrially-valued cassiterite, monazite and zircon were analyzed for 232Th, 235U and 238U using K0-INAA protocols of C2TN/IST. This has been carried out to further assess the level of radionuclides in sediments and tailings from tin mining and processing sites of Jos Plateau, Nigeria. This is particularly important because of the added 235U data, which has been specially calculated. The results have a high degree of reliability judging from the technique's accuracy and precision. The results further showed high level of activity from the radionuclides with the tailings having higher values than the samples from the mines. This implies a relatively high radiological risk and the major radiation hazard is represented by abandoned radioactive waste or tailing material that is used for bricks. The easily mobilizable progenies must be taken into consideration as a radioactive contaminant from the mining area. The data from this work would be of help in remediation efforts and can be used to assess any changes in the radiation level due to geological processes.