Borehole neutron activation: The rare earths

Conference · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7181737

Mikesell, J L; Senftle, F E

Neutron-induced borehole gamma-ray spectroscopy has been widely used as a geophysical exploration technique by the petroleum industry, but its use for mineral exploration is not as common. Nuclear methods offer the mining geologist techniques for mineral exploration, for determining stratigraphy and bed correlations, for mapping ore deposits, and for studying mineral concentration gradients. High-resolution detectors are essential for mineral exploration, and by using them as analysis of the major element concentrations in a borehole can usually be made. A number of economically important elements can be detected at typical ore-grade concentrations using this method. Because of the new application of the rare-earth elements to high-temperature superconductors, these elements are examined in detail as an example of how nuclear techniques can assist the mining geologist.

• Research Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA (US)
• OSTI ID: 7181737
• Report Number(s): CONF-871006-
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 35:1; Conference: 34. nuclear science symposium and 19. nuclear power systems symposium, San Francisco, CA, USA, 21 Oct 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RADIOACTIVITY LOGGING
RARE EARTHS
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
EXPLORATION
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
GEOPHYSICS
NEUTRON REACTIONS
RADIATION DETECTORS
STRATIGRAPHY
BARYON REACTIONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HADRON REACTIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
RESOURCES
SPECTROSCOPY
WELL LOGGING
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
400102 - Chemical & Spectral Procedures