Abstract
The primary exploration objective of Qiharigetu Sandstone-type Uranium (SU) deposit in the Erenhot Basin of China is to understand the stratigraphy, lithology and fault distribution of the target layer. Various geophysical techniques including gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic and 2D seismic have been proved not very effective due to its shallow depth of burial and small geophysical differences between layers. A specific 3D seismic survey of the Qiharigetu SU deposit has been carried out, and the inferred geological features of the uranium mineralization could provide important references for subsequent drilling programs. It is deduced that the target layer in the central part of the study area has a local "depression" through 3D seismic imaging and interpretation, which is conducive to river runoff and formation of sand body, as the sand body is a necessary precondition for mineralization. There are faults (5–50 m in throw) striking north–south for around 2 km, and it is an important ore-controlling factor, which could provide channels for the rise of reducing agents (such as gas, H2S, and coalbed methane) at depth as they can promote the redox reaction for mineralization. The 3D seismic inversion is used to estimate the impedance, lithology, sand content and porosity of the target layer. With the help of drilling verification, it is found that the area with sand content over 75% and porosity over 10% is favorable for the SU deposit. Compared with other geophysical techniques, 3D seismic method is able to provide high-resolution images for unraveling SU mineralization and thereby reduce the drilling risk of the SU deposit.
Highlights
Sandstone-type uranium (SU) deposits are mainly developed in sandstones in Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basins (Kang et al 2020)
A number of uranium deposits have been discovered in the Erenhot Basin of China, one of which is the Qiharigetu SU deposit
Worthy of attention in seismic data acquisition of SU deposits. It is worth noting in seismic data acquisition of the SU deposit that the use of small bins (5–10 m) increases the spatial sampling rate of shallow target layers so as to improve signal-to-noise ratio
Summary
Sandstone-type uranium (SU) deposits are mainly developed in sandstones in Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basins (Kang et al 2020). This paper, based on the “Long Can” research project of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), uses 3D seismic method to predict uranium mineralization in Qiharigetu with respect to the stratigraphic structure, fracture, sand body, porosity, etc., forming an effective set of seismic data acquisition and processing experiences, and finds the indirect seismic signatures of the SU deposit in this area, which provides valuable support for later drilling work. The area is covered by sediments with no faults outcropped The mine in this area is a typical interbedded oxidized zone-type uranium deposit (Liu et al 2013; Nie et al 2015).
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