Addressing the Challenge of Abandoned Nuclear Density Gauges in the Denakil Depression

The Denakil Depression, located in the Afar Regional State of Ethiopia, is renowned for its vast potash reserves, attracting numerous mining companies for exploration studies[1][2]. These companies utilized nuclear density gauges to assess the geological formations and potash deposits. However, the recent conflict between the Ethiopian government and Tigray rebels has rendered the area inaccessible, posing significant challenges for the regulatory body to monitor and manage the status of these radioactive sources[3]. As a result, the mining companies have abandoned the area, leaving behind the nuclear density gauges and their radioactive sources. This abstract outlines the critical issues associated with the abandonment of these gauges, the potential environmental and health risks, and the urgent need for a comprehensive regulatory response to address the situation.