Phosphate Prospecting Using Natural Gamma Ray Well Logging in the Khneifiss Mine, Syria

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2002 Phosphate Prospecting Using Natural Gamma Ray Well Logging in the Khneifiss Mine, Syria JAMAL ASFAHANI JAMAL ASFAHANI Department of Geology, Atomic Energy Commission, Damascus, Syria Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Exploration and Mining Geology (2002) 11 (1-4): 61–68. https://doi.org/10.2113/11.1-4.61 Article history received: 20 Jun 2001 accepted: 16 Jul 2003 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation JAMAL ASFAHANI; Phosphate Prospecting Using Natural Gamma Ray Well Logging in the Khneifiss Mine, Syria. Exploration and Mining Geology 2002;; 11 (1-4): 61–68. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/11.1-4.61 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyExploration and Mining Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract Natural gamma ray well logging, an effective tool in geophysical prospecting, is used to investigate the radioactive and phosphatic layers in the Khneifiss mine in Syria. The interpretation of the gamma ray measurements, using numerical methods of analysis developed previously and applied successfully in some phosphatic areas in Syria, make it possible to define precisely the phosphate thickness from place to place in the study area. This technique has been successfully applied while studying seven boreholes in the area. Sixty-three core samples from phosphatic layers in the boreholes have been analyzed, using gamma ray spectrometry for the determination of P2O5 , U, Th, and K. Good correlation between P2O5 content and U concentration has been found. The total count gamma logs correlate reasonably well with the U core analysis, suggesting that radioactive equilibrium exists in the U decay series. These gamma logs can be therefore used effectively to quantitatively map the distribution of P2O5 and U. The characteristics of both subsurface phosphatic sand and phosphatic rocks have been investigated and outlined using a statistical approach. The affinity of uranium to some trace elements such as V, Sr, Cu, and Ni has been verified using correlation matrices of these elements. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.