1

1 Use of boreholes redox mapping technique for sandstone type

2 uranium exploration in Arlit, Niger
3 Abdou Dodo Bohari.1,2,3, Ibrahim Maharou Hassan 1, Hamma Ada Moussa 1, Ibrahim Sarki
4 Laouali 1 , Harouna Moussa 1, Nana Oumarou Diori 1
5 1
Department of Geology Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey-Niger;
6 2
Hohai University, Nanjing, China;
7 3
GeoProbe Consult, Niamey-Niger;
8 Corresponding author: abdoubohari@yahoo.fr
9 Abstract
10 The exploration is key a fundamental step in the process of any uranium mining ac-
11 tivities. Moreover, in the context of mine development a new deposit has been discov-
12 ered. The objective of the present research studies is the application of the borehole
13 redox mapping technique as a guide of uranium exploration in the sedimentary envi-
14 ronment. The Tarat formation in the study area is the Tarat formation in Arlit area is
15 divided into four units (U4, U3, U2, and U1) such as Tarat Unit4 (U4) consisting of
16 reduced gray fine consolidated sandstone alternating clay-silt; Tarat Unit 3 (U3) com-
17 posed of coarse to medium sandstone with increasing presence of micro-conglomerate
18 towards the bottom; Tarat Unit 2 (U2) characterized by reduced fine gray sandstone
19 with kaolinitic cement and Tarat Unit 1 (U1) consists of coarse to micro-conglomer-
20 ate gray sandstone. The results of oxyhydroxides distribution maps show high radio-
21 metric accumulation in low oxyhydroxides zones of the Tarat Unit (U4) and Tarat
22 Unit (U3) while the Tarat Unit (U2) and Tarat Unit (U1) show less radiometric accu-
23 mulation in high oxyhydroxides zones. Therefore, the generalized oxyhydroxides dis-
24 tribution maps of the whole Tarat Formation show that zones with moderate to less
25 oxidation are suitable for uranium mineralization while zones with intense oxidation
26 are poorly mineralized.
27 Key words: Uranium, Tarat, oxyhydroxide, radiometry, mineralization, Niger, re-
28 dox mapping
29