Exploration Techniques Employed to Discover Concealed Unconformity Related Uranium Mineralisation in the Alligator Rivers Uranium Field, Northern Territory, Australia

摘要

Alligator Rivers Uranium Field (ARUF) is host to a number of world class uranium deposits including Nabarlek, Koongarra, Jabiluka and the operating Ranger Mine. These unconformity related deposits are characterised by medium to high uranium grade (0.2 - 2.3 per cent U3O8) when compared to other styles of uranium mineralisation. UXA is using the mined out Nabarlek deposit as a ‘type target’ for its exploration focus within its tenement package located in close proximity, north and west of the closed mine. Although the target is considered to have significant in-ground value, it also has a small footprint and UXA is adopting a methodical and systematic approach to meet the challenge of exploring in a geologically and structurally complex region with variable degrees of cover and weathering as well as trialling new exploration techniques and building on the works of previous explorers and researchers. Exploration methods and techniques including magnetics, radiometrics, hyperspectral, electromagnetics, radon cup and soil geochemical will be discussed with particular examples from UXA’s current exploration program as well as developing potentially better geochemical techniques for future exploration programs.