Aeromagnetic data analysis for the identification of concealed uranium deposits: a case history from Singhbhum uranium province, India

S P Anand,Mita Rajaram

doi:10.1186/bf03352616

Abstract

Abstract Aeromagnetic data over a part of the Singhbhum uranium province, India, within the framework of ‘Operation Hard Rock’ have been analyzed. The aeromagnetic anomaly map, its analytic signal amplitude, the Euler solutions and apparent susceptibility map helped in identifying the nature and depth of the magnetic sources in the study region. The Singhbhum Shear Zone is clearly delineated. The location of the mined uranium deposits coincide with the shallow magnetic sources. The present study also identified distinctive magnetic sources between the Dalma Volcanics and the Chotanagpur Granitic Gneissic Complex that suggest the presence of a sub-surface shear. The magnetic sources in this newly identified shear zone lie at a depth of 200 m and depict a similar magnetic signature and susceptibility as those of the Singhbhum Shear Zone where uranium is being mined. This shear could be the subsurface contact between high-grade metamorphic rocks (amphibolite facies) to the north and the greenschist facies low-grade metamorphics to the south. This shear zone, also characterized by radiometric anomalies, possibly indicates a zone of concealed uranium deposit that can be explored in the future. The present analysis shows the importance of aeromagnetic surveys and its utility in exploration for concealed mineral deposits.

Highlights

The demand for energy is growing globally, and it is necessary to apply innovative techniques to explore for all viable resources to meet this growing need
The magnetic sources are mainly associated with the SSZ, and we believe that this is due to the magnetite present in this shear zone as accessory minerals in the rocks hosting uranium mineralization at Singhbhum
The mapped uranium deposits are superposed on the analytic signal amplitude map (Fig. 3), and it can be seen that magnetic sources lie along the mapped uranium deposits, consistent with the known geological associations

Summary

Introduction

The demand for energy is growing globally, and it is necessary to apply innovative techniques to explore for all viable resources to meet this growing need. The aeromagnetic anomaly map, its analytic signal amplitude, the Euler solutions and apparent susceptibility map helped in identifying the nature and depth of the magnetic sources in the study region.

Results

Conclusion