Geophysical surveys in uranium exploration

Shigeta, Naotaka

Despite of a short history of uranium exploration, many deposits were found during just fifty years or so since the start of survey operations by making full use of geophysical surveys. For the efficient exploration considering the diversity of the deposits, it is indispensable to select an exploration flow based on establishing an appropriate model of physical properties of a uranium deposit and regional characteristics such as surface conditions. In 1990s PNC was establishing or restructuring exploration flows on unconformity-related deposits, of which type has been positioned prior to all in terms of economical merit. Deposit models and exploration flows should be revised constantly by solving various technical issues basing on the latest interpretation of obtained data. On and after 1990s, the deposit discovery rate is strikingly decreasing. This fact indicates that we are in the phase where major revises of models and exploration flows are required.