Uranium resources of Jordan and it s possible origin

Transcription

1 Uranium resources of Jordan and it s possible origin JORDANIAN URANIUM MINING COMPANY Ali Al Sader June 2015

2 Introduction General geology Of Jordan Geology of central Jordan Lithology and stratigraphy of the radio active zone Pre- activities Activities Data acquisition Data integrity Accomplishments Possible Uranium Origin

3 General Geology Of Jordan Precambrian rocks, south-western Jordan Paleozoic rocks, southern Jordan. Mesozoic formations, western and southern margins of Jordan. Cenozoic rocks, north eastern Jordan Paleogene rocks

4 Structural Geology Of Jordan Fault systems : Transverse Fault System (NW-SE & E-W) Dead Sea Transform 400km in Jordan oligocene-miocene and Pleistocene Zarqa Ma'in fault system in the north Siwaqa Fault system In the south

5 Geology Of Central Jordan In CJ, the sedimentary sequence is composed by rocks of Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) to Paleogene ages Locally these rocks are overlain by beds of travertine and alluvial sediments of Pleistocene to Quaternary age The sedimentary sequence has been intruded by mafic dykes.

6 Lithology and stratigraphy of the radio active zone The uranium mineralization is spatially associated with chalky marls, chalks and chalkylimestone distributed in the upper part of the MCM formation of Maastrichtian to Paleocene. Field observations of the spatial distribution of the uranium mineralization is supported by geophysical data showing spatial relationships of the airborne radioactive (gamma) anomalies with outcrops of the upper parts of the MCM formation. Central Jordan Uranium Mining Project

7 Average thickness of radioactive zones Formations Lithology Av. Thick.(m) Pleistocene Holocene Sediments (AL-PL). Alluvium, wadi sediments, gravel, mudflat, soil. 0.7 Travertine Calcium Carbonate 2.9 URC-m 1 Lowermost Umm Rijam Chert Limestone (URC) URC-b 2.4 URC 2.7 Saprolite 0.7 MCM_m (marble of MCM) 2 MCM (Chalk and marly chalk) 3 Uppermost Muwaqqar Chalk-Marl (MCM) MCM_b (Muwaqar Chalk- Marl 2.2 bituminous) Qatrana Phosphorite Phosphate, cherty Phosp. & Carbon. 3.7

8 Pre- Activities NRA achievements: Surficial Uranium ore deposits was discovered in several locations in Jordan since 1992 by NRA, depending on several data sources such as : radiation survey (airborne, car born..etc.) Radon gas measurements geological survey trenching.

9 Jordanian French Uranium Mining Company Achivements: JFUMC start working in this project at the beginning of 2009 in central Jordan area after signing an agreement with the Jordanian government for Uranium ore exploration and ore resource estimation. This agreement had been terminated at the end of JFUMC Main Exploration Work: Geological Mapping Radiometric Carbon Survey Boreholes Drilling Geophysical Logging

10 1. During , JFUMC explored Central Jordan (CJ) 2. Only 78 km2 of the 120 km2 radioactive zone were explored 3. No Exploration activities carried out in WM area by JFUMC. 4. Resource estimates were exclusively based on radiometry measurements 5. In early 2012, JAEC invoked its option for an independent audit on JFUMC work Wadi Maghar was not explored by JFUMC 10

11 Activities: officially lunched on January, 2012 after JAEC decision to continue explore and estimate the uranium ore deposits to deliver a first accurate U potential evaluation of Central Jordan area. developed several working procedures designed specifically for the CJUP, following Universal standards and the JORC code, All field duties are carried out by qualified trained personnel: 1. Trenches Excavations Teams ( 3 Units) 2. Radiometry Mapping Teams (3-5 teams) 3. Lithological and Sampling Teams (6-8 teams) 4. Special Study Teams 5. Field Data Entry and Digitalizing 6. Samples Management

12 WORKING AREA Project licensed area were divided into several zones according to locations area, these zones are: Khan Alzabib Rujm Al Sheed Rujm Qiyal Sewaqa North Sewaqa South Jabal Al Baydah Attarat Wadi Maghar

13 URANIUM HOST ROCK U also accumulated in Saprolite (porous altered and weathered Marly Limestone of MCM(. The average thickness of the radioactive zone (Host Rock) ranges between 0.5-5m. Advantage points : The uranium deposits are surficial (average overburden is about 0.5m) and can be mined by shallow open-pit.method (low cost and less hazardous) The infrastructure is well established (roads, power lines, water, energy. etc.) Uranium ore needs minimal crushing (friable rock material).

14 A minimum of Two Layers of Uranium Mineralization First: Surficial Layer Lower Surficial Regions We have been able to utilize radiometry data to determine the deeper uranium resources accurately Second: Surficial Layer Potential Start of a Third Layer

15 Why Trenches? Trenching provides accurate near-surface data and possibility of collecting large volume of samples for testing (Bulk Samples). Trenches gives a better representation of the mineralization behavior Possibility to conduct additional studies in more accurate way such as density measurements and grain size measurements Prevention of sample loss or contamination during drilling leaching during diamond drilling or blown by wind in RC or PC drilling Chemical analysis more accurate than radiation especially in case of disequilibrium as in the CJUP.

16 Trench Excavation All field activities are carried out in a systematic way from trench excavation To data delivery. Trench Dimensions: Depth : 5.0m Width : 1.6m Length: 4.0m

17 Radiometric Survey A radiometric grid of 50 cm to be determined at each trench wall. B channel must be divided vertically every 25 cm. All determined points grid must be measured by Gamma Scintillometer device.

18 Lithological Description Formation determination and lithological description B Channel Location

19 Trench Sampling Channel Samples Boundary Channel after sampling Sample Length: ( 25cm 50cm) Sample width and Depth : 10*10

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21 Trench Sketching

22 Data Entry & Data Integrity Special forms were developed specifically for CJUP data. To reduce human error factor all forms have automated functions to check for any discrepancies in the data. Each data record pass through 5 stage QA/QC system to insure data integrity : 1. Data entry and review by the geologist in charge 2. First stage review by another geologist 3. First stage approve by supervisors All data scanned (originals and printed ) sent to Amman office to be subjected to the second stage of QA/QC check before importing it to the Data base. 4. Second stage review in Amman office 5. Second stage approve in Amman office If any record is invalid, full data record will be revoked till the error is located and resolved.

23 QA/QC

24 QA/QC

25 Trench Digitalizing

26 Is There Any Difference?? 26

27 U3O8 Grade, ppm U3O8 Grade, ppm Central Jordan Uranium Mining Project Chemical of Trenched Channels Cutoff =40 ppm Radiometry of Bore Holes Cutoff =40 ppm X=04 X=07 X= X=04 X=07 X=10 X=01 X= D Illustration of Chemical Analysis and of Radiometry Results, 1 km 2 SWAQA

28 Depth Range of the Mineralized Area Central Jordan Uranium Mining Project Uranium Metal Concentration, Trench Chemical Analysis Ueq (Radiometry) Coffey Mining Report: CMWPr_989AB_Sep2012

29 What Have We Accomplished So Far? We Have Uranium Resources per JORC!!!

30 How Did We Obtain JORC Compliant Resources Competent Person(s): Signing of the Resources by qualified CPs International Team of World Renowned Experts: Resource Estimation- Geology- Sampling- Geostatistics (Mathematics)- Dr. Marat Abzalov Mr. Arnold van der Heyden Dr. Dominique François-Bongarçon Dr. Jacques Deraisme Mr. Olivier Bertoli Jordanian Experts (CP in Training): Ore Process Development- Dr. Hussein Allaboun Database Management- Eng. Sayel Adaileh

31 Results so far For the first time ever, a uranium deposit in Jordan is classified as a Resource! Surficial Deposit classified as Inferred & Indicated All Deep Deposits classified as Inferred

32 Uranium Possible Origin recent studies suggest that this mineralization of surficial uranium deposits formed by weathering of the uraniferous rocks of the MCM and URC formation The uranium mineralization is spatially associated with chalky marls, chalks and chalky limestone Field observations of the spatial distribution of the uranium mineralization is supported by geophysical data showing spatial relationships of the radioactive (gamma) anomalies with outcrops of the upper parts of the MCM formation

33 Uranium Possible Origin The airborne uranium gamma-spectrometric anomalies show relationships with tectonic faults in central and southern Jordan This relationship suggests that tectonic has played an important role in the generation or remobilization of uranium enriched zones This interpretation was supported by s exploration results The Surficial uranium mineralization in CJ forms high grade zones elongated along the northwestern direction, which is concordant with the strike of the regional oblique faults

34 Uranium Possible Origin Relationship with marble High grade uranium zones are spatially associated with the varicolored marble High grade uranium is often found along contacts of the discontinuous marble units Marble units was formed as a result of thermal metamorphism of the chalky limestone Their formation is possibly caused by the mafic intrusions that intruded the MCM formation in the late Tertiary or by pyro-metamorphism through the combustion of carbonaceous units.

35 Questions?