RECONNAISSANCE FOR URANIUM IN THE ELQUI-VICUNA AREA, PROVINCE OF COQUIMBO, CHILE

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958

OSTI ID:4843600

Bowes, W A; Knowles, P H; Cerrano, M C; Klohn, E H

The Elqui-Vicuna area, Coquimbo province, Chile, was selected for U reconnaissance on the basis of two known U occurrences and favorable area-wide geologic indications of the possible presence of U in commercial quantities. The general geology of the area was noted, and selected localities and mining districts were visited. The level of radioactivity is low, and no rock units having anomalous radioactivity were found. Favorable U host sandstones with disseminated Cu minerals seem to be devoid of radioactivity and, in general, little anomalous radioactivity is associated with mineral deposits. The maximum radioactivity noted outside the known U occurrences was 0.03 mr/hr, approximately two times background. The U deposits of Tambillos are low grade and narrow and should be considered for further work only in the event that no potentially commercial deposits are found elsewhere in the course of these studies. Our preliminary investigation suggests that the Elqui-Vicuna area probably has a low U potential and is unlikely to warrant much additional investigation. (auth)

• Research Organization: Division of Raw Materials, AEC; Chile. Instituto de Investigaciones Geologicas, Santiago
• NSA Number: NSA-15-027860
• OSTI ID: 4843600
• Report Number(s): RME-4527(Rev.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BACKGROUND
CHILE
COPPER
DEPOSITS
ECONOMICS
ENRICHMENT
GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
MINERALS
PROSPECTING
RADIOACTIVITY
SANDSTONES
URANIUM ORES
VARIATIONS