Remote sensing & spatial statistical techniques for surficial Uranium exploration


cr

Grade and tonnage modeling of global Uranium deposits

This is a project commissioned by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In this project we have analyzed the global database of uranium deposits with special focus on the amount and the quality (grade) of uranium in these mines. Frequency-size and frequency-grade distributions of these deposits were studied to infer about the geological similarities between the currently known uranium deposits of a particular deposit type. This information, supplemented by statistical justifications, was used to suggest changes in the current IAEA uranium deposit classification scheme. This work was presented at the IAEA training meeting in Manila, Philippines and IAEA technical meeting in Vienna, Austria.


Sub-surface palaeochannel mapping

Thermal infrared remote sensing can provide information about bulk properties of surface materials. Since bulk properties of surface materials are dependent on its structure in the sub-surface as well, thermal infrared has been found to be useful in enhancing our knowledge of the sub-surface. An attempt was made to map ancient, dried up river channels called palaeochannels, in Capricorn Orogen in Western Australia, close to the DeGrussa copper mines. Thermal contrast map was generated and this was enhanced to highlight the palaeochannels. This work was presented at SPIE Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing.


Spatial point pattern analysis of surficial Uranium in western Australia

Location of economically attractive uranium deposits is of great interest to mining companies and exploration geologists, to help them narrow down their search area, thereby optimizing the cost of exploration and drilling. In this project, we have studied the patterns in the distribution of surficial uranium deposits in Western Australia and their connection with palaeochannels and other geologically favorable conditions for uranium formation. Spatial statistics was used to draw inferences about clustering or random distribution of deposit locations.





Publications

Book chapters


  • Thakur, S. , Porwal, A., Chudasama, B. (in review): Global grade tonnage modelling of uranium deposits, in: Fairclough, M. (ed.), Quantitative and spatial modelling of uranium resources. IAEA Techdoc
  • Kreuzer, O.P., Chudasama, B., Thakur, S. , Porwal, A., (in review): Surficial uranium systems in Western Australia: prospective tracts and undiscovered endowment, in: Fairclough, M. (ed.), Quantitative and spatial modelling of uranium resources. IAEA Techdoc

Conference proceedings


  • Thakur S. , Chudasama B., Porwal A., González-Álvarez I. (2016) Sub-surface paleochannel detection in DeGrussa area, Western Australia, using thermal infrared remote sensing. Poster presented at SPIE Asia Pacific Remote Sensing Symposium, New Delhi, India (4-7 April 2016)
  • Parakh K., Thakur S. , Chudasama B., Tirodkar S., Porwal A., Bhattacharya A. (April 2016). Machine learning and spectral techniques for lithological classification Poster presented at SPIE Asia Pacific Remote Sensing Symposium, New Delhi, India. (4-7 April 2016)
  • Amrutkar R., Parakh K., Chudasama B., Thakur S. , Aranha M., Porwal A. (April 2016). Laboratory-based, field-based and satellite borne spectroscopy for lithological discrimination Poster presented at SPIE Asia Pacific Remote Sensing Symposium, New Delhi, India. (4-7 April 2016)

Invited talks in international conferences


  • Thakur S. , Chudasama B., Porwal A., Fairclough M. (2015). Grade and Tonnage Modelling of Global Uranium Deposits IAEA Technical Meeting on Spatial and Quantitative Uranium Resources Assessments,IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria (9 – 11 November 2015)
  • Thakur S. , Chudasama B., Porwal A. (2015).Quantitative Estimations of Undiscovered Uranium Resources in Western Australia. IAEA Technical Meeting on Spatial and Quantitative Uranium Resources Assessments, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria (19 – 22 October 2015)
  • Thakur S. , Chudasama B., Porwal A., Fairclough M. (2015) Grade and Tonnage Modelling of Global Uranium Deposits. IAEA Training Meeting on the Uranium Potential and Exploration of the Asia and the Pacific, Manila, Philippines (19 – 22 October 2015)