Technical
Note
Uranium Exploration Services
The industrialisation and modernisation of developing countries coupled with a
desire for cleaner, more sustainable energy sources is driving global exploration
activity for uranium.
Characteristic
Non-resistate Minerals and Soils
Uranium
Non-resistate mineralisation, particularly soils and sediment
Deposition Modes samples containing non-resistate and soluble mineral forms,
There are a variety of geological
settings
hosting
uranium
mineralisation. Some uranium
bearing minerals are highly
resistant to common laboratory
digestion techniques, while others are quite amenable to
dissolution.
are effectively solubilised using an oxidising acid digestion such
as aqua regia. This digestion procedure, in combination with a
sensitive analytical method such as Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), can be used to provide trace detection
of uranium and a suite of associated elements that can be used to
characterise and locate uranium deposits.
Semi-resistate Mineral Forms
Magmatic high temperature systems often contain uranium
concentrations in rare and resistate minerals such as uraninite,
monazite, fluorite, sphene, xenotime, zircon, or apatite. Associated
elements and trace elements may include K, Th, Rb Cs and the REEs.
For rock samples, the recommended analytical package for oxide
and secondary oxide minerals is a four acid (HF, HNO3, HCIO4,
and HCI) ‘near total’ digestion followed by ICPAES or ICPMS finish,
depending on uranium concentration.
Placer and conglomerate-hosted uranium deposits are also
characterised by resistate minerals and gold.
Resistate Mineral Forms
Breccia pipes and roll-front REDOX style mineralisation most often
contain uranium as soluble primary and secondary oxide minerals.
Uranium in these deposits is often associated with elevated levels
of Se and V, having been precipitated from oxidised groundwater
by reducing agents such as H2S and organics or in association with
Fe-oxides.
Surficial geochemical exploration derives benefit from the use of U
and Th together because of their disparate mobilities in the surficial
environment. Uranium in the surficial environment oxidises to the
highly mobile uranyl ion, UO22+. Given this high mobility, U may be
found in water and dispersed some distance from mineralisation.
In contrast, Th is insoluble in the surficial environment and tends
to be found in resistate minerals or clay.
Analytical Packages For Uranium
The analytical method of choice for uranium (U) determination
will vary according to the mineralogy, deposit type and sample
type. ALS provides analysis for U and other pathfinder elements
in rock, soil, sediment, and water. For each of these specialised
uranium procedures, certified CANMET uranium reference
materials are inserted in the analytical run to ensure the accuracy
of the uranium determinations.
Resistate minerals (for example, apatite, zircon, monazite and
sphene) require either a high temperature fusion to solubilise the
elements, or direct determination on the solid. Both options are
available at ALS.
A lithium metaborate fusion followed by an ICPMS finish is
especially effective as it includes the largest range of elements,
high temperature fusion to dissolve resistate minerals, and
ICPMS finish for low detection limits. Major elements, including
potassium, are available as add-on elements.
Cost Efficient Uranium
Determination
X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) procedures are also
available for resistate mineral forms. Pressed pellet XRF for
uranium alone is the most cost effective U procedure.
Assay Determinations
Higher grade uranium assay determinations (up to 15% U3O8) are
available at ALS. For these determinations, lithium metaborate
fusion followed by XRF Spectroscopy is an option.
Analytical Packages for Uranium
Method Code
Range
Australia & Asia/
Pacific locations
Analytes
Non-resistate Minerals and Soils
ME-MS41
U (0.05 –
10,000ppm)
Plus Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, In, K,
La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti,
Tl, V, W, Y, Zn and Zr.
Semi-resistate Mineral Forms
ME-ICP61
U (10 –
25,000ppm)
Plus Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb,
S, Sb, Sr, Ti, V, W and Zn.
ME-MS61
U (0.1 –
500ppm)
Plus Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li,
Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, V,
W, Y, Zn and Zr.
Resistate Mineral Forms
ME-MS81
U (0.5 –
1,000ppm)
Plus Ag, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Ga, Gd, Hf, Ho, La, Lu, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni,
Pb, Pr, Rb, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Tl, Tm, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. Also available
at an additional cost: Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, K2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, P2O5, SiO2 and
TiO2.
Cost Efficient Uranium Determination
U-XRF05
U (4 –
10,000ppm)
Also available at additional cost: As, Ba, Ce, Cu, La, Nb, Ni, Rb, Sn, Sr, Ta, Th,
W, Y, Zn and Zr.
Assay Determinations
ME-XRF12
U (0.001 to
15%)
Also available at additional cost: Al2O3, BaO, CaO, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO,
MnO, Na2O, P2O5, SiO2, SO3, SrO, TiO2, As, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, W, Zn, and Zr.
Proper Handling of Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Materials
Many changes have been made to regulations regarding the shipping and handling
of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) since the last uranium boom. It is
important to be aware of the issues and hazards that might be associated with these
materials and to deal with these materials in a responsible manner.
ALS has introduced standardised screening and handling protocols at all laboratories
in its network to ensure that any NORM samples received can be rapidly identified
and moved efficiently through the laboratory. All samples are handled with the most
stringent standards of care and comply with all applicable transportation, workplace
safety and environmental regulations.
It is ALS’ goal to provide the best analytical results whilst ensuring our clients and
employees are protected from concerns of future liability that might be associated
with handling, storing or disposing of sample material.
As a client you are invited to review our procedures at any time. Our in-house computerbased management system (GEMS) allows unique and complete accountability for
each sample that enters our system from the time it is received to the time of return
or disposal. This system can be reviewed or audited by clients through internet access
or by personal visit to any of our facilities.
To obtain reliable analysis and technical advice in support of uranium exploration and
to ensure your samples are handled safely and responsibly, please give us a call.
Australia
Brisbane
alsminerals.brisbane@alsglobal.com
Adelaide
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Alice Springs
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Kalgoorlie
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Karratha
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Mt Isa
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Orange
alsminerals.orange@alsglobal.com
Perth
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Townsville
alsminerals.townsville@alsglobal.com
Cambodia
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China
Guangzhou
alsminerals.guangzhou@alsglobal.com
Huehot
alsminerals.huehot@alsglobal.com
Fiji
alsminerals.suva@alsglobal.com
Laos
alsminerals.vientiane@alsglobal.com
New Caledonia
alsminerals.noumea@alsglobal.com