Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Nuclear Techniques in
Uranium Exploration
SUBMITTED TO:
DR. ABID
Group Members
Name
Registration No.
Ali Ammar
MSPE-1323
Arslan Arshad
MSPE-1333
Ahtisham Arshad
MSPE-1332
Muhammad Mujahid
MSPE-1328
Synopsis
Exploration
Objectives of Exploration
Exploration Techniques
Nuclear Techniques
Gamma Survey
Radon Survey
Neutron Activation
Delayed Neutron Counting
Exploration
Analysis
Quantity
Quality
Objectives of Exploration
Establish baseline/background conditions
Find alteration zones
Find ore body
Determine if ore can be mined or leached
Determine if ore can be processed
Determine ore reserves
Exploration Steps
Area Selection
Reconnaissance
phase
Locate area of
interest
Follow up Phase
Detailed Phase
Deposit
Development
Fundamental Parameters
Physical Properties
Form of Mineralization
Age of Rock
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Physical Properties
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Exploration Techniques
Magnetic Surveys
Electromagnetic (EM, EMI), Electromagnetic Sounding
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Imagery spectrometry
ASTER (Advanced space-borne thermal emissions reflection radiometer)
Multispectral
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Exploration Techniques
Radiometric Surveys
Gamma Survey
Radon Survey
Analytical Techniques
Neutron Activation
Delayed Neutron Counting
X-ray Fluorescence Analysis
Fluorometry
Spectrophotometry
Gravimetric and Volumetric Analysis
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Radioactivity
The atomic nuclei of some isotopes are unstable, disintegrate and form a new isotope
accompanied by emission of particles or energy, termed nuclear radiation.
Nuclides with this feature are called radionuclides.
The radioactivity decay law expresses the decrease in the original number of atoms (No)
of a radionuclide with time (t)
Nt= No et
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Gamma Survey
The most important elements contained in crustal rocks that make up the bulk of
measurable terrestrial gamma radiation are potassium, uranium and thorium.
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Absorption of incident radiation energy by the scintillator and production of photons in the
visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum
Amplification of the light by the photomultiplier tube and production of the output pulse
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Scintillators
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Radon Survey
Originated from the decay of uranium
Used as an indicator and is a source of alpha radiations
Uranium ore body exhibit radon activity concentration of the order of 104 but it
decreases with distance
Activity Concentration of Radon
CA = am * * kem/p
Radon (222Rn) activity concentration cA (Bq/m3) in soil gas, mass activity am of 226Ra
(Bq/kg), density of the rock (kg/m3), emanation power kem and rock porosity p
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Diffusion depends on the diffusion coefficient of the soil and the radon decay constant
CAx = CA0 e-x /D
Convection is caused by:
Underground Water
Temperature Gradient
Pressure and Tidal Effects
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Flow Path
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Cups with sensitive film are placed in pits covered by soils left for 20-30 days
Density of alpha tracks recorded on the film is a measure of radon in soil gas
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ROAC Kit
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Radon Detection
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Neutron Activation
A useful, sensitive and accurate method used for uranium is neutron activation
analysis.
It can be carried out by any source of thermal neutrons, but usually requires access to
reactor.
An atom of 238U captures the neutron and converted into 239U which in turn decays by
beta emission with half life of 23.5 minutes to 239Np
In turn 239Np decaying by beta emission having half life of 2.36 days converted into
239U. Which can be used to determine the quantity of uranium in the sample.
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Neutron Activation
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Amount of radiation depends on the number of atom activated and number of atoms
activated is proportional to the number of atoms present in the sample.
Neutron produced are counted by neutron counter.
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Seismic Imaging
Estimates the seismic characteristics of the Earths surface.
Acoustic energy waves are sent
Every mineral has different hardness, density, and porosity.
Intensity & time of reflected sound is measured.
How long it took to receive reflected sound wave. This data
tells where rock properties changes.
Reflected acoustic energy waves are measured.
Vibrators or detonators are used for sound waves.
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Seismic Imaging
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Magnetic Imaging
Magnetic field characteristics measured.
Minerals have distinct & different intensity magnetic
fields.
Magnetometer is mounted on an operator or on aero
plane or helicopter.
Magnetic surveys can be done on ground or aerially.
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Magnetic Imaging
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Gravity Method
Measurements of the gravitational field at a series
of different locations over an area of interest. The
objective in exploration work is to associate variations
with differences in the distribution of densities and
hence rock types.
Dense and heavy rocks, due to their extra
gravitational attraction increases the downward pull
and creates positive gravity anomalies (gravity
highs).
Where the rocks are light, the gravitational pull is
diminished and the anomalies are negative (gravity
lows).
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THANK YOU
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