Discovery of Kiggavik Uranium Deposit
GEOPHYSICS
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We discovered the Kiggavik uranium deposit in the Thelon near Baker Lake in 1974 by flying a gamma-ray
scintillation spectrometer set on broad band (total count).
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Due to counting statistics and Compton scattering, the uranium channel wouldn't have detected the anomaly,
and since we could only observe one channel we chose total count.
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Eric Onasick (geophysics) and Ko Griep (geology) made the discovery in the evening of
August 7. I was the party chief. The first thing I did, after admiring all the yellow staining in the frost boil,
was ask Eric to fly over it again set on the uranium channel -- and we got no anomaly.
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Our exploration focus was along the unconformity at the base of the Thelon, analogous to the
Athabasca.
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Total area for the two-month summer was 11 permits or 7500 square kilometers.
GEOCHEMISTRY AND RADON
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At the same time we collected 1300 water samples and 1200 sediment samples from lakes.
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In a field lab we analysed waters for radon and sediments for radium.
Dieter Stein and Basil Aptanik ran the field lab.
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We sent water samples out for uranium and copper analyses, and sediments for uranium, copper,
lead, zinc, cobalt, nickel and silver.
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The attached map shows the 1974 results for radon and uranium in water and radium and uranium in
sediment.
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All four of these radon-radium-uranium indicators show a medium to strong
anomaly associated with
the Kiggavik deposit.
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There is also a weak association of copper, lead, zinc, cobalt and nickel with the deposit.
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Radon has the advantage that it available immediately in the field for follow up, radium after
a few days.
RESERVES
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In the years since 1974 the deposit has been drilled off and reserves are reported as 112,493,000 lbs.
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The Northern Miner includes Kiggavik in its 2020 list of the Top-10 large, high-grade uranium projects in the world.
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If the gamma radiation had been masked by a foot or two of overburden and/or missed by
flight line spacing, the orebody could have been found anyway by follow up of the
radon-radium-uranium anomaly.
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INSTRUMENTS
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We measure: radon - radium - thoron - radon daughters - alpha radiation.
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The
Lucas cell
is recognized as the most sensitive and reliable method for these elements.
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Our instruments are used around the world in exploration for uranium, oil & gas, groundwater and hydrothermal,
and in environmental protection, health physics, earthquake prediction, and evaluation of hydrocarbon and NAPL contamination.
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In the radon business since 1968, our latest major instrument update was 2015.
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Modern, low-power, field-rugged electronics. Some earlier versions still working after 35 years.
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Continuous real-time monitoring and data recording.
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Winter and summer, from the Sahara Desert to the Canadian Shield, our instruments have faced up to severe field conditions.
- Intrinsically safe functions.
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Sensitive to geochemical trace levels necessary for radon in lake water and for radon-thoron isotope ratios.
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Can work in a tent without electricity or be carried from point to point in the field.
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50 readings per day. Results available immediately.
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Rechargeable battery pack good for a long day in the field and recharges in a few hours.
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Can be operated by junior personnel if carefully supervised.
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Same instruments used for radon and radium in soil, sediment,
plant parts, rocks, water, soil gas, air, and snow, and for radon daughters in air.
- EPA compliant.
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Click here for more details of instruments.
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Click here for or other instruments, components and
accessories we provide
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Technical specification sheets and pictures of our instruments provided on request.
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Multilingual consulting and training (if required).
For instruments contact
R.H. Morse & Associates Ltd.
1-416-269-9979
morse@finderschoice.com
skype: robert.morse.toronto |
Robert H. Morse, Ph.D., P.Eng.
July 7, 2007
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