Using geophysical methods to identifyalteration zones in the Prado Velho abandoneduranium mining site, Portugal

摘要

The ability of Geophysical methods in identifying either faults or conductive zones was used tounderstand two geological and hydrogeological critical zones near the Prado Velho abandoneduranium mine site, Portugal. Considering that this old open pit is one of the chosen sites to be used inthe near future as a 'Waste Containment Deposit', a collecting site of mining wastes from otheradjacent mines, detailed information about the development in depth of the geological features wasneeded. Therefore, the joint use of electromagnetic, electrical and both refraction and reflectionseismics, has allowed establishing 2-D synthetic models showing alteration zones and faults locationin depth, that control groundwater circulation. Mining waste deposition in the open pit may causeenvironmental problems that can, therefore, be predicted and prevented.