1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Geophysical Prospecting
  4. Volume 63, Issue 4
  5. Article
Volume 63 Number 4
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2478

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The primary economic uranium (U) mineralization indicators in the Athabasca Basin are the reactivated prominent basement deformation zones, basement alteration halos, and the overlying sandstone alteration halos enveloping the deposit. High‐resolution seismic surveys, from the Shea Creek area, are investigated to assess the potential of the surface seismic reflection technique for detecting these key mineralization markers. Four seismic profiles identify ductile to highly brittle deformation features of the basement. One of the brittle deformation features is a southwest‐dipping prominent reactivated shear zone comparable to basement structures hosting other known deposits in the basin. The Carswell meteor impact structure is also a conspicuous component of the Shea Creek regional structural regime. The seismic sections identify several features of the impact structure, including recognition that the dimensions of this structure are significantly larger than those estimated by previous geological studies. This larger area includes both the Cluff Lake mine and the Shea Creek U deposits, and it reveals that the basement was considerably disturbed by the impact and suggests the reactivation of the southwest‐dipping shear zone. Complex trace analysis of the seismic sections provides detailed information about the lateral changes in the reflectivity properties of the unconformity interval, which is another key zone of interest for uranium exploration. Based mainly on velocity information, several sub‐zones of clay alteration and silicification were identified within prominent fracture depth intervals: both in the sandstone and the basement. Thus, this study documents that these primary mineral indicators can be detected by the seismic method. Cross‐plots of velocity versus density of well log data identify changes in lithological units such as unaltered basement, fractured/altered basement, unaltered sandstone, clay alterations in sandstone, and silicification in sandstone.

Copyright © 2015 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers © 2015 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/1365-2478.12274
2015-06-22
2024-04-18

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1111/1365-2478.12274
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. AlonsoD., DalidowiczF. and McElroyR.1992. Shea Creek Project 1992 Winter Activities and Results, Vol. I–III. Amok Limited/Ltee.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. AnnesleyI.R., MadoreC. and PortellaP.2005. Geology and thermotectonic evolution of the western margin of the Trans‐Hudson Orogen: evidence from the eastern sub‐Athabasca basement, Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences42, 573–597.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. AnnesleyI.R., ReilkoffB., TakacsE., HajnalZ. and PanditB.2014 . A regional multi‐scale 3‐D geological model of the Eastern Sub‐Athabasca Basement, Canada: Implications for vectoring towards unconformity‐type uranium deposits. IAEA 2014 International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Vienna, Austria, Book of Abstracts, 086.
  4. BaudemontD. and FedorowichJ.1996. Structural control of uranium mineralization at the Dominique‐Peter deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada. Economic Geology91, 855–874.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. BellK.1985. The geochronology of the Carswell area, northern Saskatchewan. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper29, 33–46.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. BottomleyR.J., YorkD. and GrieveR.A.F.1990. 40 Argon – 39 Argon dating of impact craters. In: Proceedings of the 20th Lunar Planet Scientific Conference, pp. 421–431.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. CardC.D.2012 . A proposed domainal reclassification for Saskatchewan's Hearne and Rae provinces. In: Summary of Investigations 2012, Vol. 2, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Ministry of Economy, Miscellaneous Report, 2012‐4.2, Paper A11, pp. 9.
  8. CardC.D., BethuneK.M., DavisW.J., RaynerN. and AshtonK.E.2014. The case for a distinct Taltson orogeny: evidence from northwest Saskatchewan, Canada. Precambrian Research255, 245–265.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. CardC.D., PanaD., SternR.A. and RaynerN.2007. New insights into the geological history of the basement rocks to the southwestern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta. In: EXTECH IV: Geology and Uranium Exploration Technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, Vol. 588 (eds C.W.Jefferson and G.Delaney ), pp. 119–133.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. DuhammelI.2006. Etude Petrographique des Lithologies Presentes dans le Prospect de Shea Creek. Rapport Interne d'Omegalpha Inc pour le Project SIM, pp. 51.Joliette, QC, Canada.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. EriksR.S., GrayJ., DavidA.R. and HasegawaS.2013. Technical Report on Shea Creek Property, Northern Saskatchewan, with an Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, 43‐101 Report, pp. 99. UEX Corporation.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. FahrigW.F.1961. The geology of the Athabasca formation, Canada. Geological Survey Bulletin68, 41.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. GenestS., RobertF. and DuhamelI.2010. The Carswell impact event, Saskatchewan, Canada: Evidence for a pre‐Athabasca multiring basin?The Geological Society of America, Special Paper465, 543–570.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. GibbR.A., ThomasM.D., LapointeP.L. and MukhopadhyayM.1983. Geophysics of proposed Proterozoic sutures in Canada. Precambrian Research19, 349–384.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. GrieveR.A.F. and MasaitisV.I.1994. The economic potential of terrestrial impact craters. International Geological Review36, 105–151.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. GyorfiI., HajnalZ., WhiteD.J., TakacsE., ReilkoffB., AnnesleyI.et al. 2007. High resolution seismic survey from the McArthur River region: contributions to mapping of the complex P2 uranium ore zone, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. In: EXTECH IV: Geology and Uranium Exploration Technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, Vol. 588 (eds C.W.Jefferson and G.Delaney ), pp. 397–412.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. GyorfiI. and HajnalZ.2010. Seismic Methods in Uranium Exploration: A Case Study from McArthur River, Saskatchewan, Canada, pp. 206 . Lambert Academic Publishing.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. HajnalZ.1983. Acoustic characteristics of Precambrian rocks in the Flin Flon area, Manitoba. Geophysics48(5), 515–526.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. HajnalZ., AnnesleyI.R., WhiteD., MatthewR.B., SopuckV., KochR.et al.1997. Sedimentary‐hosted mineral deposits: A high‐resolution seismic survey in the Athabasca Basin. In: Proceedings of Exploration 97: 4th Decennial International Conference on Mineral Exploration (ed. A.G.Gubins ), pp. 421–432. GEO/FX.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. HajnalZ. and ScottD.1988. Reflection study of the Haughton impact crater. Journal of Geophysical Research93, 11930–11942.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. HajnalZ., TakacsE., WhiteD.J., GyorfiI., PowellB. and KochR.2007. Regional seismic signature of the basement and crust beneath the McArthur River mine district, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. In: EXTECH IV: Geology and Uranium Exploration Technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, Vol. 588 (eds C.W.Jefferson and G.Delaney ), pp. 389–395.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. HajnalZ., WhiteD.J., TakacsE., GyorfiI., AnnesleyI.R., WoodG.et al. 2010. Application of modern 2‐D and 3‐D seismic reflection techniques for uranium exploration in the Athabasca Basin. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences47, 761–782.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. HajnalZ., TakacsE., PanditB. and AnnesleyI.R.2014. Drill site selection process using geophysical (seismic, EM, magnetic) surveys and regional geochemical uranium deposit vectors within the Keefe Lake uranium property and its vicinity Athabasca Basin. IAEA 2014 International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Vienna, Austria, Book of Abstracts, 088.
  24. HarperC.T.1982. Geology of the Carswell Structure, Central Part. Saskatchewan Mineral Resources, Report214, pp. 6.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. HeinonenS, ImanaM., SnyderD.B., KukkonnenI.T. and HeikkinenP.J.2012. Seismic reflection profiling of the Pyhasalmi VHMS‐deposit: A complementary approach to the deep base metal exploration in Finland. Geophysics77, WC15–WC23.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. HobsonG.D. and MacAuleyH.A.1969 . A seismic reconnaissance survey of the Athabasca formation, Alberta and Saskatchewan. In: Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 69‐18, pp. 35–47.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. IngebritsenS., SanfordW. and NeuzilC.2006. Groundwater in Geologic Processes, 2nd edn, pp. 536. Cambridge University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. JeffersonC.W. and DelaneyG.2007. EXTECH IV: Geology and Uranium Exploration Technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada, BulletinVol. 588. Saskatchewan Geological Society Special Publication, Mineral Deposits Division.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. JuhojunttiN., WoodG., JuhlinC., O'DowdC., DueckP. and CosmaC.2012. 3 D seismic survey at the Millennium uranium deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada: Mapping depth to basement and imaging post‐Athabasca structure near the orebody. Geophysics77, W245–W258.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. LaineR., AlonsoD. and SvabM.1985. The Carswell structure uranium deposits, Saskatchewan. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper19, 230.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. MalehmirA., JulinC., WijnsC., UrosevicM., ValastiP. and KoivistoE.2012. 3 D Reflection seismic images for open‐pit mine planning and deep exploration in the Kevitsa Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposit, northern Finland. Geophysics77, WC95–WC108.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. MalinowskiM., SchetselaarE. and WhiteD.J.2012. 3 D Seismic imaging of volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits in the Fil Flon Mining Camp, Canada: Part‐2 forward modeling. Geophysics77, WC81–WC93.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. MeloshH.J.1989. Impact Cratering: A Geologic Process, pp. 245. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0‐19‐504284‐0.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. MiallA.D.1996. Alluvial deposits. In: Facies Models: Response to Sea Level Changes (eds. R.G.Walker and N.P.James ), pp. 119–142. Geological Association of Canada.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. MwenifumboC. J., SalisburyM., ElliotB.E. and PlugK.A.2002. Use of multi‐channel gamma‐gamma measurements to improve the accuracy of log derived densities of massive sulphides. In: Proceedings of MGLS/KEGS Eights international Symposium on Borehole Geophysics for Minerals, Geotechnical and Environmental Applications, August 21‐23, 2002, Toronto, ON, Canada (CD‐ROM).
     [Google Scholar]
  36. MwenifumboC.J., ElliotB.E., JeffersonC.W., BerniusG.R. and PflugK.A.2004. Physical rock properties from the Athabasca Group: designing geophysical exploration models for unconformity uranium deposits. Journal of Applied Geophysics55, 117–135.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. NimeckG. and KochR.2008 . A progressive geophysical exploration strategy at the Shea Creek uranium deposit. The Leading Edge27, 52–63.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. OvertonA.1977. Seismic determination of basement depth, Athabasca basin. In: Geological Survey of Canada, Report of Activities, Part C, Paper 777‐1 C, pp. 19–25.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. PagelM., WheatleyK. and EyF.1985. The origin of the Carswell circular structure. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper29, 213–223.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. RamaekersP.1980. Stratigraphy and tectonic history of the Athabasca group (Helikian) of northern Saskatchewan. In: Saskatchewan Mineral Resources, Miscellaneous Report, 80‐4, pp. 99–106.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. RamaekersP., JeffersonC.W., YeoG.M., CollierB., LongD.G.F., DreverG., et al. 2007. Revised geology map and stratigraphy of the Athabasca Group, Saskatchewan and Alberta. In: EXTECH IV: Geology and Uranium Exploration Technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, vol. 588 (eds C.W.Jefferson and G.Delaney ), pp. 155–191.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. ScottF.1983. Midwest Lake uranium discovery. In: Uranium exploration in Athabasca basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 82‐11 (ed. E.M.Cameron ), pp. 41–50.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. TakacsE., HajnalZ. and PanditB.2013. Cross‐plot analysis of P and S‐wave velocity data and their attributes (Poisson's ratio, Lambda, Mu) obtained from Full Wave Sonic logging – Keefe Lake area, Saskatchewan. Joint Scientific Congress of CMOS, CGU, and CWRA, Saskatoon, Canada. Abstract 6453.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. TanerM.T., KoehlerF. and SheriffR.E.1979. Complex seismic trace analysis. Geophysics44, 1041–1063.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. TonaF., AlonsoD. and SvabM.1985. Geology and mineralization in the Carswell structure – a general approach. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper29, 1–18.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. WanlessR.K., StevensR.D., LochaneeG.R. and EdmondsC.M.1968. Age Determinations and Feological studies, K‐Anisotropic ages. Report 8, Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 67‐2 A, pp. 141.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. WhiteD.J., HajnalZ., RobertsB., GyorfiI., ReilkoffB., BellefleurG.et al. 2007. Seismic methods for uranium: an overview of EXTECH IV seismic studies at the McArthur River mining camp, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. In: EXTECH IV: Geology and Uranium Exploration Technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, Vol. 588 (eds C.W.Jefferson and G.Delaney ), pp 363–388.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. WhiteD.J. and MalinowskiM.2012a. Interpretation of 2 D Seismic Profiles in Complex geological terrains: Examples from Flin Flon Mining Camp, Canada. Geophysics77, WC37–WC46.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. WhiteD.J. and MalinowskiM.2012b. Interpretation of 2 D seismic profiles in complex geological terrians: Examples from the Flin Flon mining camp, Canada. Geophysics77, WC37–WC46.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. White, D.J., SecordD. and MalinowskiM.2012. 3 D Seismic Imaging of Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits in the Flin Flon Mining Camp, Canada: Part 1 – Seismic Results, Geophysics77, WC47–WC58.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. WoodG., O'DowdC., CosmaC. and EnescuN.2009. The application of borehole seismic techniques in mine development at the Millennium uranium deposit, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. IAEA 2009 International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Exploration Mining, Production, Supply and Demand, Economic and Environment Issues, Vienna, Austria.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. WoodG., O'DowdC., CosmaC. and EnescuN.2012. An interpretation of surface and borehole seismic surveys for mine planning at the Millennium uranium deposit, northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Geophysics77, WC203–WC212.
     [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1111/1365-2478.12274
Loading
Uranium mineralization indicators from seismic and well log data in the Shea Creek area at the southern margin of the Carswell impact structure, Athabasca Basin, Canada
Geophysical Prospecting 63, 861 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2478.12274
/content/journals/10.1111/1365-2478.12274
/content/journals/10.1111/1365-2478.12274
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Meteor crater; Mining; Seismic imaging; Well logging

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error