uranium and thorium resources in india: unfc system...13 1 uranium and thorium resources in india:...
TRANSCRIPT
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Uranium and thorium resources in India: UNFC system
P.S.Parihar Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research
Department of Atomic Energy Government of India
2
The federal status of the DAE and the powers invested in it under
the Indian Atomic Energy Act (1948 and 1962) as amended from time to time, bestow upon it several rights to facilitate atomic mineral exploration. The more significant ones are-
Exclusive rights to conduct exploration for uranium, thorium and other prescribed minerals such as beryllium, lithium, niobium, tantalum and rare-earth elements all over the country .
Exclusive rights to buy prescribed minerals from private mine owners produced incidental to mining of other economic minerals.
Rights to access to surface and sub-surface data on areas under exploration or mining/recovery for oil, coal, minerals and ground water by Government or Public Sector Organisations. The facility includes carrying out of gamma-ray logging of boreholes and checking of mine workings and collection of samples etc.
Government of India’s Policy on Atomic Minerals U
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Uranium exploration, production and utilisation are under the control of Central Government.
Only public sector companies under Government of India are allowed to explore and mine atomic minerals viz. U, Th, etc.
Present system of reporting of uranium reserves in India is as per the IAEA system of uranium resource classification Indicated – [Reasonable assured resources (RAR)] Inferred – [Inferred resources (IR)] Prognosticated resources (PR) Speculative resources
Government of India’s Policy on Atomic Minerals U
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Identified Resources Undiscovered Resources C
ost
of
reco
very
USD
<4
0/k
gU
Reasonably Assured
Resources
Inferred Resources
Prognostigated Resources
Sp
ecu
lati
ve r
eso
urc
es
USD
40
– 8
0/k
gU Reasonably
Assured Resources
Inferred Resources
Prognostigated Resources
USD
80
-1
60
/kgU
Reasonably Assured
Resources
Inferred Resources
Prognostigated Resources
USD
13
0–
26
0/k
gU Reasonably
Assured Resources
Inferred Resources
Prognostigated Resources
4
NEA-IAEA classification of uranium resources
Decreasin
g econ
om
ic viability
Decreasing confidence in estimates
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Two agencies, viz., Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) and Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy are engaged in the exploration and mining of uranium, respectively for its exclusive use as fuel in the nuclear power stations owned by Government of India.
As per UNFC, reporting of resources are to be done by numerical coding on three axes (E,F&G).
The geological details (G) and feasibility status (F) of almost all the Indian uranium and thorium deposits have been widely reported, but the details related to the economics (E) is not reported.
As a result, the classification with reference to E axis may be difficult for Indian deposits.
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A new plane E0 is suggested for those countries who want to keep the uranium production cost confidential.
UNFC system for uranium resource classification- suggested system for indian uranium resources
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All the evaluated thorium resources in India is confined to the mineral monazite occurring in the beach sand heavy mineral suite of East and West coasts.
Indian resources fall under the category “VI. Placer and residual deposits of hill and valley wash” of UNFC system and the deposits have been classified in the geological and Feasibility axes .
Economic axis depends on the associated heavy minerals and needs to be addressed separately. Numerical codes for E axis has not been worked out for Indian thorium deposits.
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Thorium resources
8
India’s uranium resources and UNFC coding
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India’s uranium resources U
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Major uranium deposits U
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Seven production mines
Two mills for beneficiation
Uranium deposits/occurrences
Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand U
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Seven production mines
Two mills for beneficiation
Uranium deposits/occurrences
Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand
Sixteen low grade - small to medium tonnage uranium deposits
G and F axes fairly well established
Seven producing mines
Two mills
Only U producing mines in India so far
Accounts for 30% (≈ 55000t U3O8) of country’s
Uranium resources
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Seven production mines
Two mills for beneficiation
Uranium deposits/occurrences
Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand
Sixteen low grade - small to medium tonnage uranium deposits
G and F axes fairly well established
Seven production mines
Two mills
Only U producing mines in India so far
Accounts for 29% of country’s Uranium resources
(55549t U3O8)
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Uranium resources in Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh
Delhi
Hyderabad
0 200 400 km
Cuddapah Basin
Kaladgi Basin
Bhima Basin
Pakhal Basin
Vindhyan Basin
Chhattisgarh Basin
Khairargarh Basin
Ampani Basin
Abhujhmar Basin
Indravati Basin
Sukma Basin
Shillong Basin
Kunjar Basin
Gwalior Basin
• Cuddapah basin accounts for ≈ 50% of country’s uranium reserves
• Hold potential for immense additional resources
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Uranium resources in Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh
TUMMALAPALLE
STRATABOUND CARBONATE HOSTED
Tummalapalle uranium deposit ≈ 70,000t U3O8
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Uranium resources in Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh
TUMMALAPALLE
STRATABOUND CARBONATE HOSTED
Tummalapalle uranium deposit – 72,181t U3O8
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Srisailam-Palnad sub-basins, Cuddapah basin U
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Unconformity type deposits
Four deposits viz. Lambapur, Peddagattu, Chitrial and Koppunuru
G axis fairly established
≈ 20,000t U3O8 established so far
Similar type of deposits in Canada and
Australia are high grade-large tonnage
Srisailam-Palnad sub-basins, Cuddapah basin U
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Unconformity type deposits
Four deposits viz. Lambapur, Peddagattu and Koppunuru
G axis fairly established
More than 20,000t U3O8 established so far
Similer type of deposits in Canada and
Australia are high grade-large tonnage
Super High grade deposits are associated with this type of deposits
Srisailam-Palnad sub-basins, Cuddapah basin U
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≈ 20,000t U3O8
20
Uranium resources in NDFB
V V
VV V
V V
VV V
VV
V
VVV
V
V V V V
VV
V V V V
V
V
VV
V
V
V V
VVV
V
rrrr
r rr rr
rr
J J J J
J J J J
J JJ J
J JJ
J J J J
JJ
JJ J
J J J
JJ
J J
J
J JJJ
J
J J
J J
J J J
JJ J
J
J
J J
aaa
a
J
a
V
a
J
V
Barmer
Jaisalmer
Badhaura
Jodhpur
Pali
Jalor
Nagaur
Jhunjhunu
Sikar
Ladi-ka-bas
Kalatopri
JAIPUR
Alwar
Bharatpur
Diara
Rohil - Ghateshwar
Kushlawali Dhani
Panchlangi
Kerpura
Karoth Ki Dhanian
Mewaragujarwas
Siswali
Dhanota
Sior
Kanthi
Antri
Goga Temple
Badhaura
Swai Madhopur
Kunchalwara
Devpura
BundiBhilwara
Kherpura
Putholi
Chitorgarh
Jhalawar
UdaisagarUmra
Prasad
Palanpur
Dungapur
Banswara
Kota
Kalamagra
Udaipur
Haldughati
Kharbar
Durgapura
0 50 100 km
24°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
Hy derabad
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES
r r
24°
00'
70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00'76° 00'
78° 00'
72° 00'
74° 00'76° 00'
Alluvium
Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite
Deccan Trap
Abur Beds
Jurassic Formations
Bap Beds
Vindhyan Supergroup
Malani Rhyolite
Erinpura Granite
Delhi Supergroup
Raialo Series
Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks
Granite/Nepheline Syenite
Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC)
Uranium Occurrence
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Uranium resources in NDFB
V V
VV V
V V
VV V
VV
V
VVV
V
V V V V
VV
V V V V
V
V
VV
V
V
V V
VVV
V
rrrr
r rr rr
rr
J J J J
J J J J
J JJ J
J JJ
J J J J
JJ
JJ J
J J J
JJ
J J
J
J JJJ
J
J J
J J
J J J
JJ J
J
J
J J
aaa
a
J
a
V
a
J
V
Barmer
Jaisalmer
Badhaura
Jodhpur
Pali
Jalor
Nagaur
Jhunjhunu
Sikar
Ladi-ka-bas
Kalatopri
JAIPUR
Alwar
Bharatpur
Diara
Rohil - Ghateshwar
Kushlawali Dhani
Panchlangi
Kerpura
Karoth Ki Dhanian
Mewaragujarwas
Siswali
Dhanota
Sior
Kanthi
Antri
Goga Temple
Badhaura
Swai Madhopur
Kunchalwara
Devpura
BundiBhilwara
Kherpura
Putholi
Chitorgarh
Jhalawar
UdaisagarUmra
Prasad
Palanpur
Dungapur
Banswara
Kota
Kalamagra
Udaipur
Haldughati
Kharbar
Durgapura
0 50 100 km
24°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
Hy derabad
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES
r r
24°
00'
70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00'76° 00'
78° 00'
72° 00'
74° 00'76° 00'
Alluvium
Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite
Deccan Trap
Abur Beds
Jurassic Formations
Bap Beds
Vindhyan Supergroup
Malani Rhyolite
Erinpura Granite
Delhi Supergroup
Raialo Series
Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks
Granite/Nepheline Syenite
Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC)
Uranium Occurrence
Na metasomatite type uranium mineralisation mainly in the Khetri sub-basin. Also occurrences in Alwar and Lalsot-Bayana sub-basins
Middle Proterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks with acidic intrusives
Zone of extensive soda metasomatism
Established a low grade uranium deposit in Rohil village
Scope for similar mineralisation in other sectors of the sub-basin
Belt under active sub-surface exploration
≈ 7000t U3O8 established
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Uranium resources in NDFB
V V
VV V
V V
VV V
VV
V
VVV
V
V V V V
VV
V V V V
V
V
VV
V
V
V V
VVV
V
rrrr
r rr rr
rr
J J J J
J J J J
J JJ J
J JJ
J J J J
JJ
JJ J
J J J
JJ
J J
J
J JJJ
J
J J
J J
J J J
JJ J
J
J
J J
aaa
a
J
a
V
a
J
V
Barmer
Jaisalmer
Badhaura
Jodhpur
Pali
Jalor
Nagaur
Jhunjhunu
Sikar
Ladi-ka-bas
Kalatopri
JAIPUR
Alwar
Bharatpur
Diara
Rohil - Ghateshwar
Kushlawali Dhani
Panchlangi
Kerpura
Karoth Ki Dhanian
Mewaragujarwas
Siswali
Dhanota
Sior
Kanthi
Antri
Goga Temple
Badhaura
Swai Madhopur
Kunchalwara
Devpura
BundiBhilwara
Kherpura
Putholi
Chitorgarh
Jhalawar
UdaisagarUmra
Prasad
Palanpur
Dungapur
Banswara
Kota
Kalamagra
Udaipur
Haldughati
Kharbar
Durgapura
0 50 100 km
24°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
Hy derabad
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES
r r
24°
00'
70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00'76° 00'
78° 00'
72° 00'
74° 00'76° 00'
Alluvium
Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite
Deccan Trap
Abur Beds
Jurassic Formations
Bap Beds
Vindhyan Supergroup
Malani Rhyolite
Erinpura Granite
Delhi Supergroup
Raialo Series
Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks
Granite/Nepheline Syenite
Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC)
Uranium Occurrence
Na metasomatite type uranium mineralisation mainly in the Khetri sub-basin. Also occurrences in Alwar and Lalsot-Bayana sub-basins
Middle Proterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks with acidic intrusives
Zone of extensive soda metasomatism
Established a low grade uranium deposit in Rohil village
Scope for similar mineralisation in other sectors of the sub-basin
Belt under active sub-surface exploration
More than 7000t U3O8 established
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Uranium resources in NDFB
V V
VV V
V V
VV V
VV
V
VVV
V
V V V V
VV
V V V V
V
V
VV
V
V
V V
VVV
V
rrrr
r rr rr
rr
J J J J
J J J J
J JJ J
J JJ
J J J J
JJ
JJ J
J J J
JJ
J J
J
J JJJ
J
J J
J J
J J J
JJ J
J
J
J J
aaa
a
J
a
V
a
J
V
Barmer
Jaisalmer
Badhaura
Jodhpur
Pali
Jalor
Nagaur
Jhunjhunu
Sikar
Ladi-ka-bas
Kalatopri
JAIPUR
Alwar
Bharatpur
Diara
Rohil - Ghateshwar
Kushlawali Dhani
Panchlangi
Kerpura
Karoth Ki Dhanian
Mewaragujarwas
Siswali
Dhanota
Sior
Kanthi
Antri
Goga Temple
Badhaura
Swai Madhopur
Kunchalwara
Devpura
BundiBhilwara
Kherpura
Putholi
Chitorgarh
Jhalawar
UdaisagarUmra
Prasad
Palanpur
Dungapur
Banswara
Kota
Kalamagra
Udaipur
Haldughati
Kharbar
Durgapura
0 50 100 km
24°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
26°
00'
28°
00'
Hy derabad
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES
r r
24°
00'
70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00'76° 00'
78° 00'
72° 00'
74° 00'76° 00'
Alluvium
Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite
Deccan Trap
Abur Beds
Jurassic Formations
Bap Beds
Vindhyan Supergroup
Malani Rhyolite
Erinpura Granite
Delhi Supergroup
Raialo Series
Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks
Granite/Nepheline Syenite
Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC)
Uranium Occurrence
Na metasomatite type uranium mineralisation mainly in the Khetri sub-basin. Also occurrences in Alwar and Lalsot-Bayana sub-basins
Middle Proterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks with acidic intrusives
Zone of extensive soda metasomatism
Established a low grade uranium deposit in Rohil village
Scope for similar mineralisation in other sectors of the sub-basin
Belt under active sub-surface exploration
More than 7000t U3O8 established
3a
ROHIL PROSPECT DISTT. SIKAR , RAJASTHAN
T.S.of BH.NO.GTR-166,81,100, 120,18,19,39 & RHL-16,19,18(p) & 44
GTR-81495.30m
GTR-18486.90m
GTR-19486.70m
GTR-39486.20m
RHL-16486.60m
RHL-19487.10m
RHL-18(P)489.35m RHL-44
486.82m
50m 0 50 100m
DD.189.75mD
D.2
84.5
0m
DD
.437.3
5m
DD
.619.6
0m
DD
.715.1
0m
DD
.925.8
5m
DD
.736.2
0m
DD.538
.40m
0.023X2.21m0.126X1.51m
0.055X4.85m
0.077X15.50m
0.030X1.21m
0.041X9.27m
0.039x6.55m
0.057x6.82m
B
0.066x1.16m
WESTEAST
Section N-2
1
41
14
1
1a1
4
1+73
14
1
4
1
1a
13
3+73
0.041X5.55m
1
1a
1+7
3+73
1+1a4
1+1a
4
1+7
3
11+
7
1a1+
71a1+73
11a
1+1a
1+7
31
3
1+7 1a
3a
3
AMPHIBOLITE / BASIC INTRUSIVES
CALC SILICATE /IMPURE MARBLE
QUARTZITE / AMPHIBOLE QUARTZITE a: GRAPHITIC
QBS WITH QUARTZITE INTERCALATIONS a: GRAPHITIC
U - MINERALISATIONS AT 0.020% eU3O8 CUT-OFF GRADE
& TRUE THICKNESS
Additional Lodes
1a1
2
3
4
5 ALBITITE /ACID INTRUSIES
ZONE OF ALTERATION 7
6
INDEX
QUARTZ VIEN /REEF
OVER BURDEN
GTR-100
DD 4
02.4
0m
100
400
A
BB1
0.041X1.63m
A
B2
4
GTR-120488.22m
0.025X2.15m
0.043X2.22m
DD 2
51.0
5m
800m
0.035x4.65m
0.064X1.34m
0.037X2.21m
0.103x1.32m0.024x1.15m
0.030x4.59m
0.075x1.58m
0.024x1.16m0.050x1.58m
0.036x1.17*
m
0.063X1.53m 0.059X4.17m
0.049x1.08m0.107x1.01m
0.039X4.94m
B3
0.043X3.07m
0.033x4.06m
0.028X1.39m
0.024X1.73m*
0.058X1.34m
A1
0.050x1.49m
B4
0.081x 6.32m
GTR-166495.01m
500m
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
00
-50
-100DD.793
.95m
0.064 x 7.02m
0.058 x 6.09m
0.078 x 12.79m
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Uranium resources in Bhima basin, Karnataka
F F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
76 150 '
170
'
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BHIMA BASIN5 0 5 10 15Km
LATERITE
DECCAN TRAP
CHERT BEDS (INTER - TRAPPEANS)
PURPLE SHALE(HARWAL Fm.)
LIMESTONE( KATAMDEVARHALLI Fm.)
SAND STONE/ SHALE(HALKAL Fm.)
LIMESTONE(SHAHABAD Fm)
SHALE
DYKE
YOUNGER GRANITE
YOUNGER SCHIST BELT
PENINSULAR GNEISS
OLDER SCHIST BELT (SARGUR)
ARENITE
FAULTFF
INDEX
SURFACE RADIOACTIVITY
Kagna river
F
F
Fracture zone
(RABANPALLI Fm)
F F
F FF
F
FF
N
EW
S
76 300 ' 76 45
0 ' 77 0
77 150 ' 77 30
0 '
160
'15
160
'30
160
'45
170
'15
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Uranium resources in Bhima basin, Karnataka
F F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
76 150 '
170
'
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BHIMA BASIN5 0 5 10 15Km
LATERITE
DECCAN TRAP
CHERT BEDS (INTER - TRAPPEANS)
PURPLE SHALE(HARWAL Fm.)
LIMESTONE( KATAMDEVARHALLI Fm.)
SAND STONE/ SHALE(HALKAL Fm.)
LIMESTONE(SHAHABAD Fm)
SHALE
DYKE
YOUNGER GRANITE
YOUNGER SCHIST BELT
PENINSULAR GNEISS
OLDER SCHIST BELT (SARGUR)
ARENITE
FAULTFF
INDEX
SURFACE RADIOACTIVITY
Kagna river
F
F
Fracture zone
(RABANPALLI Fm)
F F
F FF
F
FF
N
EW
S
76 300 ' 76 45
0 ' 77 0
77 150 ' 77 30
0 '
160
'15
160
'30
160
'45
170
'15
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Uranium resources in Bhima basin, Karnataka
F F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
76 150 '
170
'
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BHIMA BASIN5 0 5 10 15Km
LATERITE
DECCAN TRAP
CHERT BEDS (INTER - TRAPPEANS)
PURPLE SHALE(HARWAL Fm.)
LIMESTONE( KATAMDEVARHALLI Fm.)
SAND STONE/ SHALE(HALKAL Fm.)
LIMESTONE(SHAHABAD Fm)
SHALE
DYKE
YOUNGER GRANITE
YOUNGER SCHIST BELT
PENINSULAR GNEISS
OLDER SCHIST BELT (SARGUR)
ARENITE
FAULTFF
INDEX
SURFACE RADIOACTIVITY
Kagna river
F
F
Fracture zone
(RABANPALLI Fm)
F F
F FF
F
FF
N
EW
S
76 300 ' 76 45
0 ' 77 0
77 150 ' 77 30
0 '
160
'15
160
'30
160
'45
170
'15
GOGI
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7. Umthongkut
27
Mahadek basin, Meghalaya U
NFC
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7. Umthongkut
28
• Holds ≈ 10% of India’s uranium resources • Ore body occur as a blanket at shallow level
(<50m) • Suitable for opencast mining • G and F axes fairly well established • Prospect for more resources in the basin ≈ 20,000t U3O8
Mahadek basin, Meghalaya U
NFC
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7. Umthongkut
29
• Holds 11% of India’s uranium resources • Ore body occur as a blanket at shallow level (<50m) • Suitable for opencast mining • G and F axes fairly well established • Prospect for more resources in the basin
Mahadek basin, Meghalaya U
NFC
wo
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/10
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13
7. Umthongkut
30
• Holds 11% of India’s uranium resources • Ore body occur as a blanket at shallow level (<50m) • Suitable for opencast mining • G and F axes fairly well established • Prospect for more resources in the basin
Mahadek basin, Meghalaya U
NFC
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31
Thorium exploration
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Heavy Mineral Placer Sand deposits
• Shoreline Placer • Alluvial Placer • Inland aeolian Placer
Late-stage Igneous rocks
• Alkaline Complexes • Carbonatite • Alkali granite/Pegmatite
Pegmatite
Hydrothermal veins
Quaternary sediments
High grade Metamorphic rocks
Thorium mineralisation U
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Source for Th and REE
Discovery – in the year 1909 from beach sands from
Manavalakurichi, Tamil Nadu.
Occurs in placer sands along with ilmenite, rutile,
leucoxene, garnet, zircon & sillimanite.
Monazite-bearing placer sands found along the coast-line
and also inland in aeolian and riverine environments.
Recovered as by-product at:
• Chavara, Kerala
• Manavalakurichi, Tamil Nadu
• Chattarpur, Odisha
Thorium mineralisation - Monazite U
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Grade in different environments
˃ Beach sands : upto 1%
(up to 5% in some places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu)
˃ Teri Sands Tamil Nadu :Upto 0.10%
˃ Siri River, Chhattisgarh : Upto 0.8% (Riverine Placer)
ThO2 : upto 9-10% (av.)
U3O8 : 0.3%
REO : 60%
P2O5 : 27%
Monazite U
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Beach and inland placer deposits U
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Minerals Reserves as on August 2009 (million tonnes)
Ilmenite+Leucoxene 520.38
Rutile 29.11
Monazite 10.70
Zircon 32.28
Garnet 154.26
Sillimanite 195.85
Total 942.58
Beach placer resources in India U
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The main constraint in adopting the UNFC system for uranium and thorium resources in India is that the production cost of uranium is not in public domain.
It may not be possible to assign numerical codes for the Indian uranium and thorium deposits in the E axis.
UNFC system therefore may incorporate a numerical code in the E axis for those deposits where economics is not considered.
This may help countries like India to adopt UNFC within their policy framework.
Conclusion U
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Thanks
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