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, the uranium channel wouldn't have detected the anomaly,
and we could only observe one channel.
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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.
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Our exploration focus was along the unconformity at the base of the Thelon, analagous 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. The deposit location is from 1978 drilling as reported in assessment file
80976, drawing 1-01.tif
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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.
Details are available in the assessment files for 1974 (submitted 1975).
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Radon has the advantage that it available immediately in the field for follow up, radium after
a few days.
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If the 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 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 2011.
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Modern, low-power, field-rugged electronics. Some earlier versions still working after 35 years.
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Winter and summer, from the Sahara Desert to the Canadian Shield, our instruments have faced up to severe field conditions.
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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.
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Click here for pictures of instruments.
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Click here for or other instruments, components and
assessories we provide
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For instruments contact
R.H. Morse & Associates Ltd.
1-416-269-9979
morse@finderschoice.com
skype: robert.morse.toronto
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Multilingual consulting and training (if required).
Robert H. Morse, Ph.D., P.Eng.
July 7, 2007
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