Integrated Studies for Mapping of Uranium Mineralization in Northern Cape Province of South Africa
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.
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.
Cite this paper
Mishra, B. and Rao, N. (2015) Integrated Studies for Mapping of Uranium Mineralization in Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Natural Science, 7, 400-415. doi: 10.4236/ns.2015.78043.
Mishra, B. and Rao, N. (2015) Integrated Studies for Mapping of Uranium Mineralization in Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Natural Science, 7, 400-415. doi: 10.4236/ns.2015.78043.
References
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[1] Said, I.R., Ahmed, A.A.M. and Assran, S.A. (1998) Geological and Geophysical Exploration for Uranium Mineralization in the El-Erediya Prospect Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Proceedings of the International Conferences on Basement Tectonics, 6, 169-189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5098-9_7 [2] Xu, Y., Liu, D.-C. and Zhang, J.-L. (2008) Ore-Search Information Using ASTER Data in Bashibulake Uranium Deposit Area in Xinjiang. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XXXVII (B6b). [3] Sen, J., Ranganath, N., Rathaiah, Y.V., Sen, D.B. and Kak, S.N. (2009) Petrography and Geochemistry of Uranium Mineralised Precambrian Granitic-Pegmatitic Rocks of Mawlait, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. Journal Geological Society of India, 74, 639-645. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12594-009-0168-8 [4] Shalaby, M.H., Bishta, A.Z., Roz, M.E. and El Zalaky, M.A. (2009) Integration of Geologic and Remote Sensing Studies for the Discovery of Uranium Mineralization in Some Granite Plutons, Eastern Desert, Egypt. JAKU: Earth Science, 21, 1-25. [5] Haruna, I.V., Orazulike, D.M. and Ofulume, A.B. (2011) Preliminary Geological and Radiometric Studies of Granitoids of Zing-Monkin Area, Adamawa Massif, Ne Nigeria. Global Journal of Geological Sciences, 9. [6] El Gharbawy, R.I. and El Maadawy, W.M. (2012) Geochemistry of the Uranium-Thorium-Bearing Granitic Rocks and Pegmatites of Wadi Haleifiya Area, Southeastren Sinai, Egypt. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 31, 242-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11631-012-0573-3 [7] Ramadan, T.M., Ibrahim, T.M., Said, A.D. and Baiumi, M. (2013) Application of Remote Sensing in Exploration for Uranium Mineralization in Gabal El Sela Area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, 16, 199-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2013.11.001 [8] Pettersson, A. (2008) Mesoproterozoic Crustal Evolution in Southern Africa. Doctoral Thesis A117, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg. [9] Thomas, R.J. (1989) A Tale of Two Tectonic Terranes. South African Journal of Geology, 92, 306-321. [10] Cornell, D.H., Thomas, R.J., Gibson, R., Moen, H.F.G., Moore, J.M. and Reid, D.L. (2006) Namaqua-Natal Province. In: Johnson, M.R., Anhauesser, C.R. and Thomas, R.J., Eds., Geology of South Africa, Geological Society of South Africa and Council of Geoscience, Pretoria, 325-379. [11] Said, I.R., Ahmed, A.A.M. and Assran, S.A. (1998) Geological and Geophysical Exploration for Uranium Mineralization in the El-Erediya Prospect Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Proceedings of the International Conferences on Basement Tectonics, 6, 169-189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5098-9_7 [12] Xu, Y., Liu, D.-C. and Zhang, J.-L. (2008) Ore-Search Information Using ASTER Data in Bashibulake Uranium Deposit Area in Xinjiang. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XXXVII (B6b). [13] Sen, J., Ranganath, N., Rathaiah, Y.V., Sen, D.B. and Kak, S.N. (2009) Petrography and Geochemistry of Uranium Mineralised Precambrian Granitic-Pegmatitic Rocks of Mawlait, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. Journal Geological Society of India, 74, 639-645. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12594-009-0168-8 [14] Shalaby, M.H., Bishta, A.Z., Roz, M.E. and El Zalaky, M.A. (2009) Integration of Geologic and Remote Sensing Studies for the Discovery of Uranium Mineralization in Some Granite Plutons, Eastern Desert, Egypt. JAKU: Earth Science, 21, 1-25. [15] Haruna, I.V., Orazulike, D.M. and Ofulume, A.B. (2011) Preliminary Geological and Radiometric Studies of Granitoids of Zing-Monkin Area, Adamawa Massif, Ne Nigeria. Global Journal of Geological Sciences, 9. [16] El Gharbawy, R.I. and El Maadawy, W.M. (2012) Geochemistry of the Uranium-Thorium-Bearing Granitic Rocks and Pegmatites of Wadi Haleifiya Area, Southeastren Sinai, Egypt. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 31, 242-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11631-012-0573-3 [17] Ramadan, T.M., Ibrahim, T.M., Said, A.D. and Baiumi, M. (2013) Application of Remote Sensing in Exploration for Uranium Mineralization in Gabal El Sela Area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, 16, 199-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2013.11.001 [18] Pettersson, A. (2008) Mesoproterozoic Crustal Evolution in Southern Africa. Doctoral Thesis A117, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg. [19] Thomas, R.J. (1989) A Tale of Two Tectonic Terranes. South African Journal of Geology, 92, 306-321. [20] Cornell, D.H., Thomas, R.J., Gibson, R., Moen, H.F.G., Moore, J.M. and Reid, D.L. (2006) Namaqua-Natal Province. In: Johnson, M.R., Anhauesser, C.R. and Thomas, R.J., Eds., Geology of South Africa, Geological Society of South Africa and Council of Geoscience, Pretoria, 325-379.