2.5
Atomic Minerals Directorate for
Exploration and Research
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) carries out survey, prospecting and exploration of atomic minerals required for the Nuclear Power Programme of the country. The main R&D oriented activities of the Directorate include assessment, evaluation, character-isation, and categorisation of atomic minerals, design and fabrication of radiometric instruments and development of ore extraction flow sheets. Following are the activities and achievements of AMD during 2000 - 2001.
Uranium Investigations
Airborne Survey and Remote Sensing
Airborne gamma-ray spectrometric (AGRS) and magnetic surveys were carried out along 19150 line km over parts of Chhattisgarh basin and Sonakhan schist belt in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Validation and pre-processing of data and generation of contour maps were carried out at the airbase.
Satellite data interpretation, digital
image processing and AGRS data interpretation were carried out to delineate
the favourable potential zones for exploration of uranium and beach sand
minerals.
Secondary uranium minerals associated with Gulcheru quartzite from Gandi area, Andhra |
Ground Radiometric Survey :
Radiometric reconnaissance and detailed surveys were done in various geologically and structurally favourable areas over 10000 sq km and 270 sq km respectively. These have resulted in locating / delineating new uranium anomalies/extensions of known anomalies in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh. Uranium mineralisation associated with Gulcheru quartzite aound Gandi, Rachakuttapalle and Kannampalle in Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh is the most significant achievement of this year.
Ground Geophysical Survey
Geophysical surveys comprising magnetic, electrical (IP), resistivity and electromagnetic (TURAM) methods were carried out which helped in deciphering: (a) concealed sediment-basement contact at Gogi, Gulbarga district, Karnataka; (b) a domal structure in Cumbum Formation in Julakallu area, Palnadu sub-basin, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh ; and (c) basement fractures in Damdama area, Raigarh district, Madhya Pradesh.
Geochemical Survey
Hydro-geochemical surveys were done over 4400 sq km in different parts of the country helped in narrowing down target areas. Anomalous haloes were delineated in the environs of Gani-Kalva Fault over basement granite and Cuddapah Supergroup in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
Exploratory Drilling
Exploratory drilling aggregating to over 28400 m was carried out to probe/delineate subsurface continuity of uranium mineralisation in different promising sectors.
As a result of continuing exploration and evaluation drilling additional reserves of U3O8 were estimated at Wahkyn, West Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya, bringing the total estimated reserves to U3O8 under inferred category. Similarly, preliminary ore reserve estimation at Koppunuru, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh had also indicated availability of U3O8.
Continuity of ore grade uranium mineralisation was established at Gogi, Gulbarga district, Karnataka where nearly 50% of the boreholes drilled so far along 2 km length, intercepted high grade mineralisation (>0.10% eU3O8). Significant uranium mineralisation was established in boreholes drilled over 1350m strike length at Rohil-Ghateshwar, Sikar district, Rajasthan. High grade uranium mineralisation was also intercepted in one of the boreholes drilled at Gandi, Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh.
To expedite the evaluation process and reduce the lead time in proving the new deposits, contract drilling was taken up in Koppunuru, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh where gamma-ray logging of extra-departmental borewells/boreholes had indicated significant mineralisation. Similarly, contract drilling was also taken up in Gogi area, Gulbarga district, Karnataka, which is under progress.
Rare Metal and Rare Earth Investigations
By detailed evaluation of known pegmatites, additional reserves of columbite-tantalite mineral in parts of Orissa and Gujarat were estimated. Additional reserves of xenotime bearing polymineralic concentrate was estimated in Deo river, Gumla district, Bihar.
Field recovery units in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa produced xenotime bearing polymineralic concentrate and columbite-tantalite, where beryl was recovered as a by-product.
Xenotime bearing polymineralic pre-concentrate produced from Siri River, Jashpur district, Madhya Pradesh and Deo River, Gumla district, Bihar was continued to be upgraded which yielded xenotime rich fraction analysing more than 18% yttrium oxide.
Beach Sand and Off-Shore Investigations
Assessment and evaluation of heavy mineral deposits along coastal tracts in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was continued.
A potential heavy mineral rich zone was identified near Inayam, Kanya-kumari district, Tamil Nadu, where total heavy minerals (THM) associated with teri sands were of the order of 35%. Preliminary estimation indicated a reserve of 2.2 million tonnes THM with 79% titanium minerals.
Reports/executive summaries on different heavy mineral deposits were prepared and supplied to IREL and private agencies.
Export consignment of over
1,84,000 MT garnet sands and 5000 MT ilmenite pertaining to private entrepreneurs
and over 1,39,800 MT ilmenite and 1400 MT sillimanite pertaining to IREL
were sampled for issuance of monazite test certificate.
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Other Activities
Geotechnical Investigations:
AMD carried out geological mapping of the pits of the Tarapur Reactor Buildings 3&4 for NPCIL. It provided necessary inputs such as geological evaluation and seismotectonic information for the expansion of existing sites/proposed sites of nuclear power plants, and updated database on seismic events.
Mining Plan approval:
Scrutiny of mining plans in respect of atomic minerals was continued as per the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957. Seven mining plans in respect of mining of ilmenite, rutile and garnet pertaining to M/s. V.V. Minerals, Tamil Nadu were approved after scrutiny. No Objection Certificates in respect of 4 mining plans pertaining to mining of garnet in Rajasthan were issued to IBM.
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Revenue Generation:
A sum of Rs. 76.34 lakh was generated by providing professional and analytical services along with the sale of reports and atomic minerals.
Awards
A team of three AMD scientists was conferred with the prestigious National Mineral Award, 1999. The Award instituted by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Government of India, in recognition of their significant contribution in the field of mineral discovery of strategic and economic importance - for the discovery of Gogi uranium occurrence in Gulbarga district, Karnataka.
Laboratory Investigations
Various laboratories of AMD rendered support for meaningful realisation of field investigations.
Besides the analytical and instrumental support, special gamma-ray logging probes for DTH boreholes and measurement of high grade ores in boreholes, were fabricated.
Over 11,500 samples (over 58,000 estimations) of various types were analysed. Besides, research and development for refinement of analytical techniques were continued. The analytical support was also extended to various organisations.
Elemental analyses in 114 samples comprising ore minerals of U, Th, rare metals and rare earths were carried out.
Over 300 samples were studied and uranium, rare metal and rare earth bearing minerals were identified.
Petromineralogical studies over 2000 samples from various deposits/occurrences of atomic minerals were carried out.
Around 3000 samples and over 2400 samples and standards (59600 determinations) were analysed for different elements.
Studies continued on hydro-metallurgical characteristics of host rocks from different uranium deposits/occurrences, besides developing flow-sheets for the recovery of rare metals.