Dr. Martin Mkandawire Publishes New Book on Environmental Impacts of Abandoned Uranium Mines

A new book by Cape Breton University Professor of Chemistry and former Industrial Research Chair, Dr. Martin Mkandawire, offers a comprehensive analysis of uranium pollution and environmental recovery in abandoned mining sites. Published by Springer Nature, Fate and Effects of Uranium in Abandoned Uranium Mines represents the culmination of nearly three decades of dedicated research.

The volume, which has been in development since 2011, is scheduled for official release on July 7, 2026. It serves as a vital resource for scholars, researchers, professionals and policymakers navigating the complex environmental issues surrounding legacy mining sites.

“This project has been a long time in the making. The book draws on nearly 30 years of my research on uranium and abandoned mines, and the writing process itself began back in 2011,” says Dr. Mkandawire. “Bringing this work together into a single volume has been both challenging and deeply rewarding and I am delighted to finally announce its publication.”

Fate and Effects of Uranium in Abandoned Uranium Mines details how uranium behaves in the environment and the ecological hazards it poses. Dr. Mkandawire explores these dynamics across various legacy environments, including abandoned underground mines and open-pit mine lakes, while examining how uranium spreads through water, soil and living organisms. The analysis concludes with an in-depth look at natural recovery mechanisms, offering insight into how nature might be able to help contain pollution in these complex environments as well as the limits of that natural recovery.

In addressing the persistent challenges of legacy mining, Dr. Mkandawire’s analysis offers a critical framework for regulatory bodies and environmental engineers tasked with overseeing site closures and monitoring long-term containment efforts. By providing clear insights into how uranium behaves over decades in abandoned environments, the volume delivers the scientific evidence needed to modernize reclamation standards, minimize ecological hazards and implement more reliable, cost-effective natural recovery and containment strategies globally.

The publication underscores Cape Breton University’s commitment to impactful, world-class research that addresses pressing global environmental and sustainability challenges.

Fate and Effects of Uranium in Abandoned Uranium Mines (ISBN: 978-3-032-10446-5) is available through Springer Nature and major online bookstores.