地质科技通报 (Jan 2024)
Application of comprehensive geophysics in uranium exploration in the Hetaoba area of Duolun County, Inner Mongolia
Abstract
Objective The Hetaoba area in Inner Mongolia has superior uranium metallogenic conditions.Grea tore-prospecting results have been achieved in the eastern part of the study area.However, breakthrough has not been made in the western area. Uranium mineralization is significantly controlled by faults and fractured zones. To identify the distributions of fault framework, structural fracture and alteration zones, and further to infer the favorable metallogenesis areas, geophysical data are provided to explore the uranium metallogenic potential. Methods Through the comprehensive applications of three geophysical methods, including audiomagnetotelluric surveys, soil radon measurements, and ground high-precision magnetic measurements, soil radon anomalies are delineated in the study area. The northwest fault F13 shows a northeast- and northwest-trending with a Chinese word "Tian" grid shape, while the southeast fault F12 presents a northeast-trending grid shape. The faults of F13 and F12 present nearly north-south and northwest trendings in the pinched zones.There are six structural alterated and fractured zones to be inferred. Results Based on the characteristics of uranium mineralization, it is inferred that the structural alteration and fracture zones of S1, S2, S3 and S4 are located at the intersection and pinched zone of faults, with a large scale. Multiple soil radon anomalies are distributed with an anomaly amplitude up to 35 000 Bq/m3, which are the favorable areas for metallogenesis. Conclusion After verification of the drilling results, the structural alteration, fracture zones and thick uranium ore bodies are discovered in the deep of borehole ZKH24. Many industrial uranium ore holes are discovered in the S2 structural alteration zone. Borehole ZKH7-1 has good ore findings, confirming the origin place of the uranium ore. The study indicates that the comprehensive application of the three geophysical methods has effective results in uranium ore exploration and can be promoted to uranium ore prospecting.
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