Indications of sandstone-type uranium mineralization from 3D seismic data: a case study of the Qiharigetu deposit, Erenhot Basin, China

Abstract

The primary exploration objective of Qiharigetu Sandstone-type Uranium (SU) deposit in the Erenhot Basin of China is to understand the stratigraphy, lithology and fault distribution of the target layer. Various geophysical techniques including gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic and 2D seismic have been proved not very effective due to its shallow depth of burial and small geophysical differences between layers. A specific 3D seismic survey of the Qiharigetu SU deposit has been carried out, and the inferred geological features of the uranium mineralization could provide important references for subsequent drilling programs. It is deduced that the target layer in the central part of the study area has a local "depression" through 3D seismic imaging and interpretation, which is conducive to river runoff and formation of sand body, as the sand body is a necessary precondition for mineralization. There are faults (5–50 m in throw) striking north–south for around 2 km, and it is an important ore-controlling factor, which could provide channels for the rise of reducing agents (such as gas, H2S, and coalbed methane) at depth as they can promote the redox reaction for mineralization. The 3D seismic inversion is used to estimate the impedance, lithology, sand content and porosity of the target layer. With the help of drilling verification, it is found that the area with sand content over 75% and porosity over 10% is favorable for the SU deposit. Compared with other geophysical techniques, 3D seismic method is able to provide high-resolution images for unraveling SU mineralization and thereby reduce the drilling risk of the SU deposit.

3D Quantitative Prediction of the Groundwater Potential Area─A Case Study of a Simple Geological Structure Aquifer

“…4 The fundamental reason for these accidents is poor understanding of the reserved capacity and distributed rule of aquifers. 2,5 In addition, the mineralization of sandstone-type uranium deposits is also controlled by the distribution of aquifers., 6 The perspective of sedimentary genesis can well predict the spatial distribution of aquifers and explain the hydrodynamic properties of aquifers; thus, sedimentology studies can provide geological guarantees for the safe production of coal mine and the in situ leaching of sandstone-type uranium. 3 At present, prediction studies of the groundwater potential area and groundwater inrush in coal mines can be divided into three categories.…”

Prospects of Using Gas Hydrates in Power Plants

“…The most popular method of hydrate detection on the seabed and ocean floor is standard and high-frequency seismic exploration [13,15]. Seismic surveys can be two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) [16]. The 2D survey data reveal the lower position of hydrate-bearing sediments with a frequency of 30-120 Hz.…”