LOW GRADE URANIUM DEPOSITS OF INDIA

Transcription

1 LOW GRADE URANIUM DEPOSITS OF INDIA Dr. ANJAN CHAKI, DIRECTOR Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research Department of Atomic Energy, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

2 PREVIEW Uranium Provinces of India Characterisation of Indian uranium deposits Thrust areas of uranium exploration Cuddapah uranium province, Southern India Tummalapalle uranium deposit Uranium deposits around Rohil, NW India Uranium deposits of Central India Other potential areas

3 Uranium Exploration Uranium exploration in India dates back from late forties and the first uranium deposit (vein type) was discovered at Jaduguda in 1951 in the Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) Jharkhand, which has now been proved as an important uranium province with a number of low grade, small to medium size uranium deposits. Subsequently, number of new uranium deposits were discovered in other parts of the country (Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, etc.)

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5 Distribution of Uranium Deposits STATE GEOLOGICAL SETUP DEPOSIT TYPE EXAMPLES Jharkhand Singhbhum Shear Zone (Paleoproterozoic) Vein Type Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar, Turamdih Andhra Pradesh Cuddapah Basin (Proterozoic) Unconformity Type Stratabound Type Lambapur, Peddagattu, Chitrial, Koppunuru Tummalapalle- Rachakuntapalle Rajasthan Aravalli & Delhi Supergroups (Paleo- Mesoproterozoic) Vein Type Umra- Udaisagar & Rohil- Ghateshwar Karnataka Bhima Basin (Neoproterozoic) Vein Type Gogi, Gulburga district Chhattisgarh Dongargarh Shear Zone & North Surguja Shear Zone (Paleo- Mesoproterozoic) Vein Type Bodal, Bhandaritola & Jajawal, Dumhat Meghalaya Mahadek Basin (Cretaceous) Sandstone Type Domiasiat, Wahkyn, Tyrnai, Gomaghat, Lostoin, Phlangdiloin

6 Characterisation of Uranium deposits DEPOSIT TYPE Vein - Do- Stratabound Unconformity Sandstone LOW GRADE DEPOSITS Jaduguda and Surroundings Bodal and Bhandaritola Jajawal- Dumhat GEOLOGY HOST ROCK MINERALOGY SSZ in Singhbhum Group of rocks Nandgaon Group Quartz chlorite schist (granular) Amphybolite & Quartz porphyry Quartzo-feldspathic rock of North Surguja Shear Zone Uraninite, Brannerite Uraninite, Pitchblende, Coffinite Rohil Delhi Supergroup Albitites Pitchblende, Uraninite, Aravalli Umra Carbon phyllite Coffinite Supergroup Tummalapalle Chitravati Group Dolostone Lambapur, Peddagattu and Chitrial Koppunuru Domiasiat- Wahkyn, etc Srisailam Quartzite (Cuddapah Supgr.) Palnad sub-basin (Kurnool Group) Lower Mahadek Formation Unconformity of Granite & Srisailam quartzite Granite & Banganapalle quartzite Feldspathic sandstone Pitchblende, Coffinite Uraninite, Pitchblende, Kasolite Uraninite, Pitchblende Pitchblende, Coffinite

7 Thrust Areas for Low Grade Uranium Exploration in India (A) Paleoproterozoic Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand (B) Meso- Neoproterozoic Cuddapah and Kurnool Basins, Andhra Pradesh (C) Proterozoic Aravalli and Delhi Basins, Rajasthan (D) Paleoproterozoic Dongargarh and North Surguja Shear Zone, Chhattisgarh (E) Neoproterozoic Bhima and Kaladgi Basins, Karnataka (F) Paleoproterozoic Dharwar (QPC), Karnataka (G) Cretaceous Sedimentary Basin, Meghalaya (H) Meso- Neoproterozoic Chhattisgarh and Indravati Basins, Chhattisgarh

8 Cuddapah Basin, Andhra Pradesh Crescent shaped Paleo to Neoproterozoic Cuddapah and Kurnool basins are spread over 44,500 km 2 area. The Cuddapah Basin has evolved through a series of tectonic & thermal events and the formation of subbasins viz. Papaghani / Chitravati, Nallamalai, Srisailam, Kurnool and Palnad with major overlap. The basement Archean gneisses / Dharwar metasedimentaries are thrusted over Cuddapah Supergroup rocks on the eastern margin of the basin while the basin has an unconformable contact with the basement crystalline rocks in the west. Two main types of uranium deposits have been identified in the Cuddapah basin. These are unconformity related and stratabound type.

9 GEOLOGICAL MAP OF CUDDAPAH BASIN SHOWING URANIUM DEPOSITS AND OCCURENCES Peddagattu Chitrial R.V. Tanda Total Area 44,500 sq km Thickness of the sediments ~ 12 Km Known unconformity related U-deposits (Northern Cuddapah) Known stratabound carbonate hosted U-deposits (Southern Cuddapah) Known fracture controlled granite hosted U-deposits 9

10 Unconformity-related deposits (Northern Cuddapah) Evaluation and exploratory drilling at Lambapur, Peddagattu and Chitrial explored unconformity between the Basement Granitoids and the overlying Srisailam quartzite (Srisailam sub- basin) and medium tonnage, low grade deposits have been established. A small, low grade deposit has also been established around Koppunuru at the unconformity between Basement Granitoids and overlying quartzite of Banganapalle Formation (Palnad subbasin) of Kurnool Group. Surveys indicated uranium occurrences in Basement Granitoids and overlying Banganapalle Formation (Palnad sub- basin) around Rallavagu Tanda, Damarcherla and Mathampalle.

11 Geological map of northern part of Cuddapah Basin

12 URANIUM MINERALISATION IN VEMPALLE FORMATION 1900m Thick Cherty Limestone Purple Shale Uraniferous Dolostone Conglomerates Massive Limestones 12

13 15 00' REDDIPALLE GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PARTS OF CUDDAPAH BASIN SHOW ING URANIUM OCCURRENCES 78 00' 78 30' 79 00' TADPATRI 20 Km Km 15 00' KORIVIPALLE GANDIKOTA BADVEL 5 4 k m PRODDATUR 14 30' AMBAKAPALLE PARNAPALLE KADAPA KASTURIGATTU 14 30' KURNOOLS 4 6 k m PULIVENDULA CUMBUM SHALE VEMPALLE BAIRENKONDA QURTZITE BASIC SILL/FLOWS GANDIKOTA QUARTZITE TADPATRI SHALE PULIVENDLA QUARTZITE VEMPALLE FORMATION GULCHERUVU QUARTZITE GNEISSES/DHARW ARS KANAMPALLE KADIRI U-MINERALIZATION IN VEMPALLE LIMESTONE U-MINERALIZATION IN QUARTZITE TUMM ALAPALLE 29 km GIDDANKIPALLE GANDI-M ADYALABODU 32 km MULAPALLE M ADDIMADUGU 14 00' U-MINERALIZATION IN FRACTURE/FAULT ZONE IN GRANITE BASMENT 78 00' 78 30' RAYACHOTI 79 00' 14 00' Tummalapalle & extension areas

14 Stratabound Uranium Deposit (Southern Cuddapah) Dolostone hosted stratabound uranium deposit at Tummallapalle in the southern part of Cuddapah basin was established in the early nineties. As a consequence of the development of an innovative pressure alkali route beneficiation process and prevailing high uranium cost turned the deposit economical. Exploration work has been intensified in extension areas of Tummalapalle in 30 km belt (10 blocks), out of 160 km potential uranium occurrences in Vempalle Formation along southwestern margin of Cuddapah Basin. A low grade, large size deposit has already been proved in Tummalapalle-Rachakuntapalle (3 blocks).

15 STRATIGRAPHIC SUCCESSION TUMMALAPALLE AREA (Paleo- Mesoproterozoic) PAPAGHANI GROUP Pulivendla Quartzite Vempalle Formation Gulcheru Formation Disconformity Basic Sills/Dykes Stromatolitic Cherty Limestone Purple Shale Dolostone- Uraniferous Intraformational Conglomerate Massive Limestone Purple Shale Quarztite & Conglomerate Unconformity Basement Granite Gneiss Stromatolitic Cherty Limestone Purple Shale Uraniferous Dolostone Intraformational Conglomerate Massive Limestone 15

16 Out of 160 km U-Occurrence 10 blocks identified in 30 km Disequilibrium in favour of uranium 1. Based on Chemical Value : 19% 2. Based on β/ γ value : 34% 365 samples Low grade, Large size deposit has already been proved in Tummalapalle-Rachakuntapalle 70% Recovery by pressure alkali route 16

17 Homogeneous nature of ore body in strike as well as dip wise

18 URANIUM MINERALISATION IN VEMPALLE DOLOSTONE Mode Thin stringers of pitchblende within phosphatic dolomitic groundmass Thin fracture filled veins within quartz clasts Intergranular fillings within collophane rich portion Inclusions in quartz clasts Vein-like pitchblende (P) in phosphate, calcitic dolostone from Tummalapalle. Loci Carbonate-phosphate contact Sutured boundary of microstylolites Layer of stromatolite Grain boundary of quartz clasts Within cavities filled with fibrous dolomite and framboidal pyrite U-Ti complex (U-Ti) within a clast of quartz in mineralized phosphatic, siliceous, calcitic dolostone. Ovoid grain showing intimate association of pitchblende (P) and pyrite (Py) in phosphatic siliceous calcitic dolostone 18

19 CHARACTERISTICS OF URANIFEROUS VEMPALLE DOLOSTONE Nature of host rock Uranium Minerals Associated minerals Gangue Minerals Impure, siliceous, phosphatic, dolomitic, stromatolitic Limestone Pitchblende, Coffinite, U-Ti complex, Collophane Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Molybdenite, Bornite, Digenite, Covellite Dolomite, Quartz, Microcline Grade to 0.046% eu 3 O 8 Trace Elements Controls of mineralisation The average concentration of molybdenum, nickel, copper, cobalt, barium in hangwall lode is 230, 30, 90, 25 and 215 ppm (n=250) respectively and in footwall lode are 44, 42, 55, 10 and 289ppm (n=150). Average P 2 O 5 values are 2.46% in HW and 2.60% in FW. Phosphate, silica and organic matter in the impure dolomitic limestone are the main controlling factors for uranium mineralisation 19

20 RECOVERY / LEACHABILITY OF TUMMALAPALLE ORE Exhaustive experiments on leachability (alkali route) indicated recovery 65-70%, using NaCO 3 & NaHCO 3 as the leachants and KMnO 4 as the oxidant. To increase uranium concentration in leach liquor number of multicycle leaching experiments were carried out by Cross Current Leaching, followed by Filtration and Counter Current Washing (CCLFCCW). Experiments enhanced uranium concentration in leach liquor ( g/l) with significant reduction in consumption of leachants, but the cost intensive oxidant (KMnO 4 ) could not be reduced.

21 Studies indicated suitable alternative cost-effective oxidants in lieu of KMnO 4 are industrial oxygen or Air. Precipitation of uranium as sodium di-uranate from the leach liquor obtained by CCLFCCW, showed that it is possible to quantitatively precipitate (>95%) out the uranium values with a high grade (82% U 3 O 8 ) and purity. Pilot scale test work on the process flow sheet evolved at Technology Demonstration Pilot-plant, Jaduguda. Results indicate achieving about 75% leachability following alkaline pressure leaching.

22 SCHEMATIC FLOWSHEET FOR PROCESSING OF TUMMALAPALLE ORE RUN-OFF MINE ORE SIZE REDUCTION DEWATERING & REPULPING Leachants Na 2 CO 3 & NaHCO 3 Oxidant, Industrial O 2 Steam PRESSURE LEACHING FOLLOWED BY FILTRATION AND COUNTER CURRENT WASHING EVAPORATION YELLOW CAKE PRECIPITATION Tailings (for Disposal) SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATION (THICKENING + FILTRATION) DRYING & PACKING YELLOW CAKE

23 Aravalli and Delhi Basins, Rajasthan Paleo- Mesoproterozoic Aravalli and Delhi Group of metasediments of Rajasthan and neighbouring areas holds potential as several shear zones with anomalous uranium have been identified. Important are Umra near Udaipur and Rohil close to Jaipur. Uranium mineralisation at Umra is associated with dolomitic limestone, carbonaceous phyllite and a dark metasedimentary assemblage ( Aravalli Supergroup) Uranium mineralisation at Rohil in the North Delhi Fold Belt is associated with albitites (320 km long zone of albitite-microclinite-pyroxinite, also referred to as albitite line ) with carbonaceous phyllite and mica schist of Delhi Supergroup.

24 70 00' 72 00' 74 00' 28 00' 26 00' J J J J J J J J a J a J J Jaisalmer J J a J J J J J J J a J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J a Barmer J Badhaura Jodhpur Pali Badhaura Nagaur Karoth Ki Dhanian Kerpura 76 00' Mewaragujarwas Jhunjhunu Dhanota Kushlawali Dhani Panchlangi Goga Temple Sikar Diara Rohil- Ghateshwar Rohil - Ghateshwar Siswali Ladi-ka-bas Kalatopri JAIPUR Durgapura Kunchalwara Devpura Antri Kanthi Sior Alwar Swai Madhopur 78 00' 28 00' Bharatpur 26 00' V V a J J r r Alluvium Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite Deccan Trap Abur Beds Jurassic Formations Bap Beds Vindhyan Supergroup Malani Rhyolite Erinpura Granite Delhi Supergroup Raialo Series 72 00' Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks Granite/Nepheline Syenite Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) Uranium Occurrence 24 00' Jalor Palanpur r r Udaipur Prasad r r r r r Kalamagra Bhilwara Udaisagar Umra Haldughati Putholi V V V V V Kharbar V V Dungapur V V V Banswara V V V km V V V 74 00' V Kherpura r Chitorgarh rr V r V Bundi V Jhalawar V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V Kota V 76 00' 24 00' V V V Hy derabad GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES 24

25 1100 N 1000 N 900 N 800 N 700 N 600 N 500 N 400 N 300 N 200 N 100 N N KZ PZ 3 3a -200 N -300 N -400 N -500 N -600 N -700 N -800 N -900 N 100m 50m 0m 100m SOIL COVER KAOLINISED/PULVERISED ZONE QUARTZ & AMPHIBOLE QUARTZ ITE AT PLACES/ a:graphitic QUARTZITE PREVIOUS BOREHOLE D RILLED (AMD/BH, GH/BH SERIES) PRESENT GTR/RHL SERIES OF BOREHOLES (COMPLETED /IN PROGRESS/PROPOSED) SURFACE ANOMALY GTR-112 SHEA R Z ONE/FAULT SURVEY STATION CONDUCTOR AXIS I.P. ANOMA LOU S Z ONE GTR-111 GTR m R HL-47A m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m 0 GTR-118 GTR m m RHL m RHL-31 GTR m m EASTING (X) GTR m GTR m GEOLO GICAL MAP SHOWING BOREHOLES LOCATION OF ROHIL AREA ( SOUTH BLOCK ) DISTT. SIKAR, RAJASTHAN TOPOSHEET NO. 45M /6 GTR-107 GTR m m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR-103 GTR-104 GTR-95 GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m m GTR m GTR m m m GTR m GTR-42A GTR m GTR m GTR-87 GTR-25 GTR m GTR m m GTR m GTR-68 RHL m GTR m m m 100m 50m 0m RL m RL m m m GTR -108 GTR-22 GTR -36 GTR -8 GTR -24 RL m GTR-33 GTR-30 RL m GTR-5 RL m GTR m GTR -10 GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR m GTR -61 KZ PZ 3 3a S OIL COVER RL m GTR-46(Ab) GTR-58 RL m RL m GTR-48 RL m GTR -45&51(60 ) RL m GTR -32 RL m m GTR m GTR m GTR-55& m GTR -37& m GTR m GTR m R HL m GTR m GTR-34 R HL RL m GTR-63 RHL-26 RHL KAOL INI SE D/PUL VER IS ED ZONE 100m RHL m RHL m R HL m RHL m R HL-13A m R HL-23 RHL R HL m RHL m m RHL m RHL-19 R HL m m RHL m RHL-17 RHL-39 RHL-25 39A m m RHL-24&27 R HL m m -200 N -300 N -400 N -500 N Q UAR TZ & A MPH IBOLE QUA RTZ ITE A T PLAC ES/ a :GRA PH ITIC QUA RTZITE PREV IOU S B ORE HOL E D RIL LED (AMD /BH, GH /B H SERIES) P RES ENT GT R/R HL SER IES OF BOREHOLES (C OMPLE TED /I N PROGR ESS /PROPOSED) S UR FACE AN OM ALY S HEA R Z ONE /FAU LT S UR VE Y ST AT ION C ON D UC T OR AXI S I.P. AN OMA LOUS Z ON E -600 N -700 N -800 N RL m R HL N m R HL m R HL-43 RHL m 1100 N 1000 N 900 N 800 N 700 N 600 N 500 N 400 N 300 N 200 N 100 N 0 0 GTR m -100 N Rohil Exploration Blocks Ghateshwar Block 4300 N 4200 N 4100 N 4000 N 3900 N 3800 N 3700 N 3600 N 3500 N 3400 N 3300 N 3200 N 3100 N 3000 N 2900 N 2800 N 2700 N 2600 N 2500 N 2400 N GEOLOGICAL MAP SHOWING BOREHOLE'S LOCATION OF GHATESHWAR - ROHIL AREA DISTT. SIKAR ( RAJASTHAN) N-43 N-40 N-35 N-30 N-25 GTR-99 R L m TOPOSHEET NO. 45M/6 GTR-6 GTR-93 GTR-3 RL m GTR-1 GTR-2A ST-8 GTR-31 RL m GTR-29 RL m Scale GTR-101 GTR-113&113A GTR-94 R L m ST- 5 GTR-97 GTR-89 R L m RNE m GTR m GTR-80 RL m GTR-90 R L m GTR-85 R L m GTR-84 RNE-9 RL m GTR-92&96 R L m RNE-28 RNE/29 RL m RNE/31 RNE-17&19 RNE/32A RL m RNE/32 RNE-21&23 RNE/30 RL m RNE-7 RNE-25 & 27 RL m RNE-1 RL m P-20 R G camp Kh a ndela RNE-2 RNE-3 RL m RNE-5 RNE-4 N 4300 N 4200 N 4100 N RL m NORTH BLOCK RNE-11 R L m RNE-10 RL m RNE-13 RNE-12 R L m 4000 N 3900 N 3800 N 3700 N 3600 N 3500 N 3400 N 3300 N RNE-14 R L m 3200 N 3100 N 3000 N 2900 N RNE N RNE N RL m 2600 N 2500 N RNE-18 R L m R L m 2400 N Kerpura 8km North Extension Block Khandela Block 1km East 2300 N GTR-98 RL m RNE-20 RL m 2300 N 2200 N RHL-7 GTR-60 GTR N 2100 N 2000 N N N 1800 N 1700 N 1600 N 1500 N N N m RL m R L m GTR-109 & 114 GTR-27 RHL-12 GTR-66 GTR m R L m m R L m RHL-3 INDEX GTR-64 RL m SOIL COVER RHL-1 GTR-70 KZ PZ RL m RL m GTR-23 RHL-6 GTR a RL m m RL m RHL-5 RHL-10 R L m R L m RHL-2 RHL-8 GTR-75 R L m m RL m RHL-9 RHL m m RHL-4,4A(Ab) GTR-16 &GTR-52 RL m R L m GTR-44 GTR-54 RNE-22 RL m RNE-24 KAOLINISED/PULV ERISED ZONE R L m QUARTZ & AMPHIBOLE QUARTZ ITE AT PLACES/ a :GRAPHITIC QUARTZITE 2100 N 2000 N 1900 N 1800 N PREVIOUS BOREHOLE DRILLED (AMD/BH, GH/BH SERIES) RNE N RL m PRESENT GTR/RHL SERIES OF BOREHOLES (COMPLETED /IN PROGRESS/PROPOSED) 1600 N S URFACE ANOMALY SHEAR ZONE/FAULT 1500 N SURV EY STATION 1400 N CONDUCTOR AXIS North Block 1300 N N N R L m RL m GTR-41 GTR-49 RL m R L m 1300 N 1200 N GEOLOGICAL MAP SHOWING BOREHOLES LOCATION N- 11 OF ROHIL AREA ( CENTRAL BLOCK ) DISTT. SIKAR, RAJASTHAN TOPOSHEET NO. 45M/6 N- 10 Scale N CENTRAL BLOCK N- 9 INDEX GTR-26A RHL m -500E -400 E -300 E -200E 100 E 200 E 300 E 400 E 500 E 600E 700E 800E -100 E 100 E 200 E 300 E 400 E 500 E 600E 700E 800E 900E I.P. ANOMA LOU S Z ONE 1000E 1100E 1200E 1300E 1400E 1500E 1600E N- 8 N- 7 N-6 N- 5 N- 4 N- 3 N- 2 N- 1 0-N 0 0-S1 NORTHING (Y) R O H I L Central Block 1km x 1km N Khatundra-Goria 4km SOUTH BLOCK INDEX South Block Jhumpa-Jajod 8km E 200 E 300 E 400 E 500 E 600E

26 Rohil Central Block Significant U-Mineralisation intercepted in BH. GTR/134 26

27 Borehole Location Plan, Rohil Central Block GEOLOGICAL MAP SHOWING BOREHOLES LOCATION N- 11 OF ROHIL AREA ( CENTRAL BLOCK ) DISTT. SIKAR, RAJASTHAN 1000 N 900 N 800 N N- 10 N- 9 N- 8 TOPOSHEET NO. 45M/6 100m 50m 0m 100m INDEX SOIL COVER QUARTZITE Scale RHL m RHL-52 GTR-8 GTR-24 E-1 GTR-46(Ab) GTR-58 N GTR-48 GTR-33 GTR-45&51 GTR-30 GTR-34 RHL N 1000 N CENTRAL BLOCK 900 N 800 N 700 N 600 N 500 N 400 N 300 N 200 N N- 7 N-6 N- 5 N- 4 N- 3 N- 2 SHEAR ZONE/FAULT GTR-143 GTR-134 CONDUCTOR AXIS GTR-112 GTR-126 Projected U-Lodes GRANITE RHL-49 RHL-49A RHL 47A GTR-81 GTR-100 GTR-146 A1 GTR-5 GTR-32 RHL-26 RHL-23 A GTR-63 RHL-36 B GTR-68 GTR-7 GTR-38 RHL-14 RHL-29 RHL-43 RHL-22 RHL-40 GTR-106 GTR-28 GTR-10 GTR-59 GTR-108 GTR-22 GTR-102 B1GTR-116GTR-25 GTR-11 GTR-55&62 RHL-21 School RHL-34 RHL-38 GTR-37&47 Samadhi RHL-35 RHL-20 RHL-42 GTR-14 B2 GTR-12 RHL-19 B4B3 GTR-120 GTR-18 GTR-19 GTR-39 RHL-16 RHL N 600 N 500 N 400 N 300 N 200 N 100 N 0 N- 1 0-N 0 0-S1 400 W 300 W RHL-50 GTR-78 GTR-76 GTR-73 GTR-71 RHL-31GTR-117 GTR-79 GTR-74 RHL-32 GTR-21 GTR-40 RHL-18 GTR-26A RHL-13A RHL-41 RHL-33 RHL-28 RHL-39 GTR-43A RHL-17 RHL-25 RHL-45 RHL-39A 0 RHL-30 RHL-24&27 GTR-86 RHL S 0 GTR S 200W RHL W NORTHING (Y) EASTING (X) 100 E B1 B 200 E A R O H I L 300 E E E RHL E 700E 800E 100 N

28 Dongargarh and N. Surguja Shear Zone, Chhattisgarh Uranium exploration in Kotri-Dongarhgarh belt located uranium mineralisation at Bodal, Bhandaritola, Baghnadi, Jangalpur, etc. associated with amphibolite (Pitepani), metarhyolite (Bijli) and Dongarhgarh granite of Nandgaon Group (Paleoproterozoic). Uranium mineralisation at Mogrra, Malharbodi, Nalpani, Udarichhapar, etc. is associated with Bortalao sandstone and conglomerate of Khairagarh Group (Mesoproterozoic). Low grade, small size uranium reserves have been proved at Mogrra, Maharashtra and Bodal-Bhandaritola, Chhattisgarh. Uranium mineralisation as vein, lenses and shoots of variable size & shape confined in the quartzo- feldspathic rocks of North Surguja Shear Zone at Jajawal-Dumhat, Chhattisgarh.

29 GEOLOGICAL MAP OF MADHYA PRADESH, MAHARASHTRA AND CHHATTISGARH 24º 22º 20º 18º 16º 74º 76º 78º 80º km Nasik 37 Ratnagiri Jhabua 34 Khandwa Aurangabad Kolhapur Sagar T a p ti L i n e a me n t Nanded Rewa Raipur º 21 Sidhi 14 Ambikapur Na r ma d a S o n L i n e a me n t Nagpur Jagdalpur Uranium occurrences / deposit 13 84º D E P OS I T S ALLUVIUM LATERITE DECCAN TRAP INFRATRAPPEAN/LAMETA GONDWANA VINDHYAN SUPERGROUP CHHATTISGARH/INDRAVATI SUPERGROUP PAKHAL/ABUJHMAR/KHAIRAGARH SAUSAR/CHILPI DONGARGARH GRANITE NANDGAON/SONAKHAN GROUP BIJAWAR GROUP BUNDELKHAND GRANITE SAKOLI UNCLASSIFIED GRANITE 1. BODAL 2. BHANDARITOLA 4. MOGARRA 7. JAJAWAL 8. DHABI 9. DUMHAT

30 Other potential areas Mesoproterozoic Gwalior Basin, Madhya Pradesh, Kunjar Basin, Orissa, and Shillong Basin, Meghalaya. Proterozoic Bijawar-Mahakoshal-Vindhyan Basins. Paleoproterozoic Quartz Pebble Conglomerates (QPC) of Sundargarh and Jajpur districts of Orissa. Mesozoic Satpura Gondwana, Madhya Pradesh Cenozoic Siwalik Basin, Lesser Himalaya. South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ) exposing alkaline carbonatite complex within tuffaceous phyllite of Singhbhum Group, Eastern India.

31 CONCLUSION Indian uranium deposits are of low grade except Gogi, Karnataka. Vempalli Formation (160 km), in SW margin of Cuddapah Basin has very large potential for Stratabound (dolostone) type low grade uranium deposit. Delhi Supergroup (North Delhi Fold Belt) holds large promise for low grade uranium deposit associated with albitites. Low grade large size deposits may be made economically viable by new technology in mining and milling processes. There are many geological settings, which have ample potential for uranium deposits.

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