Abstract
Globally, there has been an ever increasing demand for uranium. This generates the need to adopt unique methodologies in order to explore the mineral to its full extent. This paper highlights an integrated approach that is adopted to explore uranium occurrences in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The study area is located at Springbok of Namaqualand Region. Most of the area is dominated by smooth outcrops formed by “Woolsack” mode of weathering and is characterized by pinkish fine-grained concordia granites of fair size forming the hilly terrains. These granites were intruded by quartz and pegmatite veins which host uranium and associated ores. As part of the integrated approach, remote sensing, geological, geophysical and geochemical studies were carried out in the hilly terrain area of approximately 15 sq km area. Spectral analysis was carried out using ASTER and QuickBird imageries to identify the zones of mineralisation. Band combinations of R (5/8) G (4/6) B (6/7) revealed the occurrence of uranium ore in the study area. Remote sensing and geological studies prioritized area for geophysical and geochemical studies. Ground magnetic analytical signal maps helped in deciphering the sub-surface structural anomalies. Magnetic and radiometric studies revealed that the uranium mineralization was localized along the structural features which were of sub-surficial origin. Geochemical sampling helped to identify the zones with high uranium ore concentration along the structural trend of the area. Further, geochemical data analysis also strongly supported the geophysical data and showed that the host rocks contain mineable quantities of uranium. The above integrated study indicates that uranium mineralisation in this particular area is structurally controlled which is nothing but the manifestations of geological features such as faults, fissures, and joints. The study helped to identify two blocks covering 85 Ha and 174 Ha of area and 7 drilling locations were proposed for exploratory drilling.
Highlights
Nowadays uranium exploration studies are at its surge due to increasing demand of the mineral as it plays a very important role in the development of national economy and national defense.The present study is concentrated in a block located in the Urafields Projects in South Africa
Geological, geochemical and geophysical data was integrated in a stepwise manner to define the probable mineralized zones of uranium and associated minerals in the project area
Remote sensing signatures were updated by field geological data [4] to prioritize areas for geophysical and geochemical studies
Summary
The present study is concentrated in a block located in the Urafields Projects in South Africa. This is situated in the Namaqualand Springbok area of Northern Cape Province. Alaskite deposits, fluvial pale channel type deposits and granite deposits. There are three main types of uranium mineralization occurring in Southern Africa viz. These uranium deposits occur in two metamorphic complexes, the Damara Orangic Belt in Namibia and the Namaqua-Natal Matamorphic Complex in South Africa. Previous studies (in 1070’s and 1970’s) showed that radiometric surveys and geological mapping of Namaqualand area resulted in the discovery of a number of late-stage leuco-granitic intrusions in close proximity to the margins of the concordia granites
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