Indications of sandstone-type uranium mineralization from 3D seismic data: a case study of the Qiharigetu deposit, Erenhot Basin, China

Abstract The primary exploration objective of Qiharigetu Sandstone-type Uranium (SU) deposit in the Erenhot Basin China is to understand stratigraphy, lithology and fault distribution target layer. Various geophysical techniques including gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic 2D seismic have been proved not very effective due its shallow depth burial small differences between layers. A specific 3D survey SU has carried out, inferred geological features uranium mineralization could provide important references for subsequent drilling programs. It deduced that layer central part study area a local "depression" through imaging interpretation, which conducive river runoff formation sand body, as body necessary precondition mineralization. There are faults (5–50 m throw) striking north–south around 2 km, it an ore-controlling factor, channels rise reducing agents (such gas, H S, coalbed methane) at they can promote redox reaction inversion used estimate impedance, lithology, content porosity With help verification, found with over 75% 10% favorable deposit. Compared other techniques, method able high-resolution images unraveling thereby reduce risk