IAEA-TC-543/16

URANIUM EXPLORATION IN INDIA

An overview

R.V. VISWANATH, T.M . MAHADEVAN

Atomic Minerals Division,
Department of Atomic Energy,
Government of India,
Hyderabad, India

Abstract

URANIUM EXPLORATION IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW.

As a result of a systematic organizational approach to uranium exploration involving an
integrated application of geological, geophysical and geochemical techniques, large reserves
of uranium and extensive areas of high uranium potential have been delineated in India over
the last three decades, thus rendering the country self-sufficient in meeting the needs of a
dynamic nuclear power programme. The conceptual basis of the current strategy, the methods
of exploration used and the effectiveness of some of the more recently adopted techniques are
discussed. The direction of future thrusts is outlined briefly.

1. INTRODUCTION

The history of uranium exploration in India illustrates how a systematic and

integrated approach has made it possible to identify large resources in a country
where, during the early 1950s, only a few occurrences of uranium minerals had
been reported.
A brief review is presented of the broad spectrum of exploration efforts
being made in India, ranging from evolving conceptual models to instrumentation
techniques. As a result we currently have a self-reliant organizational set-up for
uranium exploration and a large programme of nuclear power generation based
on indigenous resources.

2. HISTORY OF EXPLORATION

In India organized efforts to explore uranium date back to 1949 when the
Rare Mineral Survey unit was formed, which evolved into the present Atomic
Minerals Division in 1958. Early efforts were made to search for uranium in
areas of large granitic and pegmatitic activity and in major shear zones charac-
terized by hydrothermal mineralization, especially of copper. Such a conceptual
approach led to the discovery of extensive uranium mineralization in the

213
 DIRECTOR

I---------- ---- 1—
NATIONAL AND O .l.C . PLANNING ANO DEPUTY OIRECTORS (2) HEAD ADMINISTRATION
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES GROUP PHYSICS GROUP (1 ) AND ACCOUNTS
1
1 1
COLLABORATION
(TECHNICAL INFORMATION, HEADQUARTER LABORATORIES
PROJECTS
DATA BANKING, ANO OTHER FACILITIES
SPECIAL PROJECTS ANO (INSTRUMENTATION,
CARTOGRAPHY) RADIOMETRICANALYSIS,
NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES,
RADON EMANOMETRY,
THERMOLUMINISCENCE,
AIRBORNE ANO GROUNO
GEOPHYSICS,
MASS SPECTROMETERANO
COMPUTERDATA PROCESSING)

I 1 1
LIBRARY/ REGIONAL DIRECTORS (S) AIRBORNE SURVEY- HEADQUARTERLABORATORIES
DOCUMENTATION REMOTE SENSING ANO (PETROLOGY,SPECTROGRAPH,
ANO INFORMATION I PHOTOGEOLOGY SECTION CHEMICAL, XRF ANO
SERVICES REGIONAL LABORATORIES GROUP HEADS XRO LABORATORIES)
(PETROLOGY, SEOIMENTOLOGY, I
MINERAL TECHNOLOGY, SECTION HEADS
PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND I
SPECTROGRAPH LABORATORIES FIELO CO-ORDINATOR

------- 1-------
RECONNAISSANCE CAR-BORNE GEOCHEMICAL GEOPHYSICAL RECONNAISSANCE DEVELOPMENTAL EXPLORATORY
SURVEY ANO RADIOMETRIC SURVEY SURVEY DRILLING DRILLING MINING
DETAILED SURVEY SURVEY WITH MOBtLE
LABORATORIES

FIG. 1. Organizational set-up o f the A tom ic Minerals Division, Departm ent o f A tom ic Energy.
 IAEA-TC-543/16 215

Singhbhum thrust belt. It is of interest to note that the first evidence of mine-
ralization was found in 1950 in large collections of rocks and minerals in the
Indian Museum at Calcutta; the radioactivity was measured by Geiger-Miiller
counters. During the 1950s and 1960s development of the Singhbhum Province
took place. The methodology of exploration was systematized through stages
of detailed mapping, surface trenching, shielded probe logging and sampling and
drilling, integrated with ground magnetic and resistivity surveys. From 1965
onwards efforts were diversified into different areas outside the Singhbhum
thrust belt. This resulted in the identification of other areas of mineralization
in igneous-metamorphic terrains, the discovery of sandstone type mineralization
in Satpura-Gondwana and later in the Siwaliks along the Himalayan foothills
and in the Cretaceous Mahadeks of the Shillong Plateau, and also the discovery
of numerous zones of mineralization of vein type quartzites and disseminated
type metabasic rocks along major shears in the Lesser-Central Himalayan region.
A landmark in the exploration history was the discovery in the mid-1970s of
quartz-pebble conglomerates in the western Karnataka Craton at the base of
the Dharwar sedimentary-metavolcanic iron ore sequence. The lessons learnt
from these discoveries led to the identification of more quartz-pebble conglo-
merate horizons in other parts of India with similar geological settings.
Regarding instrumentation, the approach from the beginning was to develop
indigenous capabilities for designing and fabricating radiometric instruments.
Beginning with simple GM counters, we have diversified into manufacturing scin-
tillometers, beta-gamma counters, gamma ray spectrometers including airborne
gamma ray spectrometers, radon measuring devices and borehole logging
equipment.

3. ORGANIZATIONAL SET-UP FOR EXPLORATION

In India exploration for radioactive minerals has mainly been undertaken

by the Atomic Minerals Division of the Department of Atomic Energy. The
division is supported by a large number of geologists, geophysicists, physicists,
chemists, and drilling and mining engineers and is responsible for the entire gamut
of activity from initial surveys, through discovery, prospecting and development
of ore reserves, up to the mining stage. A brief outline of the organizational
set-up is given in Fig. 1.

4. MAJOR AREAS OF MINERALIZATION

As a result of exploration efforts spanning a period of over three decades,

a large number of uranium mineralized zones have been identified; a list of the
more important areas is presented in Table I. A detailed account of the major
uranium provinces is presented in Paper TC-543/4 in these Proceedings.
216 VISWANATH and MAHADEVAN

TABLE I. MAJOR URANIUM OCCURRENCES IN INDIA

Precambrian Quartz-pebble conglomerate type, Walkunji-Ichalguda-Yelakki sector

at the baseof the Bababuden G roup , in the south Kanara district,
of rocks of the Dharwar Super- Karnataka, Badampahur, Orissa,
group Dhanjori, Bihar

Uranium in brecciated phyllites/ Arbail-Bisgod-Pradhani sector in

calc-arenite and metagreywackes the north and south Kanara districts,
of the Dharwar Supergroup Karnataka
(younger than the above
conglomerates)

Structurally controlled vein Singhbhum thrust belt, Bihar

type deposits
Umra-Udaisagar area, Rajasthan

Khetri-Khandela, Rajasthan

Bodal-Bhandaritola, Rajandgaon
district, Madhya Pradesh

Jajawal-Dumhat-Dhabi in the
Sarguja shear zone, Madhya Pradesh,
and Binda-Nagnala, Palamau, Bihar

Brijrani-Gad-Sileth area in U ttar

Pradesh (associated with Himalayan
thrusts)

Vein type m ineralization in quartzites

of the Kulu area, Kashapat, Himachal
Pradesh, and Berinag, U ttar Pradesh

Vein type and dissemination in

chlorite schists of the Pokhri-Tunji-
Chamoli district, U ttar Pradesh

Anek, Garo hills, Assam

Phosphorites and black shales Mardeora, Hiradur and Saugar

districts, Madhya Pradesh

Black shales of the Udaipur-

Kalamagra area

Permian to Continental fluviatile sandstones Betul district, Madhya Pradesh

Cretaceous of the Gondwana Supergroup

Phosphorites (at the contact of Mussoorie phosphorites, Dehra dun

the lower Tal and Krol beds) district, U ttar Pradesh
 IAEA-TC-543/16 217

TABLE I (cont.)

Marginal marine sediments Gomaghat-Shella region,

(lower Mahadek sandstones) Meghalaya

Nonglang region, Meghalaya

Tertiary Continental fluviatile sediments Lower Siwalik-Romehra area

(conglomerates and sandstones
Lower-M iddle Siwalik contact
of Siwalik age)
of the Rameswar-Kalka-Morni
region, Himachal Pradesh

M iddle-Upper Siwalik contact

of the Ham irpur Basin, Himachal
Pradesh (Astotha-Kya-Loharia-
Sibal-Galot area)

Naugajiya Rao-Satyani Rao near

Timli, Saharanpur district, U ttar
Pradesh

Maler area, Udhampur district,

Jammu and Kashmir

Lignites Neyveli area of Tamil Nadu

Recent Coastal and Inland Placers Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra

Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar or West
Bengal

5. STATUS OF RESERVES IN INDIA

The uranium reserves so far proved are of the order of 62 700 t U; catego-
rization of these reserves in price and confidence levels is presented in Table II.
Most of the reserves are from Precambrian formations of the hydrothermal vein
or disseminated type; about 80% are confined to the Singhbhum thrust belt of
Bihar.

6. CONCEPTUAL GEOLOGICAL MODELS

The exploration strategy of the Atomic Minerals Division has largely been
guided by conceptual models which take into consideration the geological evolu-
tion of the mineralization regions and the various factors which contributed to
 2
1
8

TABLE II. URANIUM RESOURCES IN INDIA (in t U) (1 August 1985)

Reasonably assured resources Estimated additional resources Total V

IS
(RAR) Category I (EAR-I) RAR + EAR W
A
Principal deposits N
A
or districts T
Recoverable at costs Recoverable at costs Recoverable at costs Recoverable at costs H
less than between less than between a
n
d
US $80/kg U US $80-130/kg U US $80/kg U US $80-1 30/kg U
M
A
Singhbhum thrust belt 32 870 10 750 2120 13 060 58 800 H
A
(Bihar) D
E
V
A
O ther areas 2 260 210 - 1 430 3 900 N

Total 35 130 10 960 2120 14 490 62 700

 IAEA-TC-543/16 219

the enrichment of uranium. It has been tailored to suit different types of

deposits in different geological terrains. The conceptual models adopted are
discussed in relation to uranium in Precambrian formations and in Phanerozoic
sediments.

6.1. Uranium in Precambrian formations

Uranium in Precambrian formations could belong to any one of three types,

namely: (1) the quartz-pebble conglomerate type; (2) the hydrothermal vein
disseminated type; and (3) the unconform ity controlled type. Of these, the first
two have already been identified, and efforts are being made to locate deposits
of the third type in favourable geological environments.

6.1.1. Quartz-pebble conglomerate mineralization

In most areas of the world where uranium bearing pyritous quartz-pebble

conglomerates occur, iron formations occupy approximately the same sedimentary
basins as a younger horizon. In Canada, the Huronian Supergroup lies close to the
Lake Superior iron deposit; in South Africa, the Rand deposits underlie the Transvaal
Sequence; in Australia, these conglomerates occur in the vicinity of the Hamersley
iron formation; in Brazil, the Minas Series comprising uraniferous conglomerates
is topped by iron formations w ithout any significant break. In India these conglo-
merates occur below the Bababudan iron formations in western Karnataka.
Following this discovery, similar uranium bearing quartz-pebble conglomerates were
located below the Badampahar iron ore group in Orissa. This spatial relationship
is of prime importance in the selection of areas for the location of quartz-pebble
conglomerate type uranium deposits, irrespective of whether we account for them
by applying the Cloud model of a non-oxygenic atmosphere or whether they are
assigned to favourable sedimentological conditions or environments.
The best developed ore conglomerates are always noted along or close to the
basement, e.g. in the 300 m thick Matinenda Formation representing the lowest
member of the Huronian Supergroup in Canada, and the 90 m thick Dominion
Reef of South Africa, although low grade uranium is associated with Au bearing
conglomerates higher up in the sequence in the Witwatersrand. Likewise, in the
Bababudan Group quartz-pebble conglomerate is confined to the 60 m thick
arenite bed close to the basement. Therefore, notwithstanding the relatively
smaller thickness of arenite, the Bababudan Group holds promise for identifying
economically viable uranium deposits.
From the age data accumulated on the uranium bearing quartz-pebble
conglomerate in different countries, the Bababudan conglomerates (2900 to
2600 Ma) occupy a position in between the predominantly gold bearing conglo-
merates of South Africa which have a low concentration of uranium (31 00 to
2800 Ma) and the Canadian conglomerates which are essentially uranium bearing
220 V1SWANATH and MAHADEVAN

(2200 to 2400 Ma). The Au source was probably the Archaean greenstone belts
and the uranium source the Archaean high potash granites. Some Late Archaean
granites are reported to contain appreciable amounts of uranium, which indicate
the possibilities of obtaining the best concentrations of uranium from the
youngest basal Early Proterozoic quartz-pebble conglomerates. On this analogy,
the Bababudan conglomerates are a promising target area for the concentration
of uranium and possibly gold. The metamorphism grades of the Bababudan
Group range from green schist facies to lower amphibolite facies, which is also
a favourable factor. Taking these points into consideration, investigations were
extended to other Proterozoic basins as well as to the Indian subcontinent, in
particular to the basins bounded by banded iron formations. Such efforts are
expected to lead to positive results.

6.1.1.1. Sedimentary environmental control

Quartz-pebble conglomerates, being high energy fluvial deposits, are deposited

along the flooded plains and palaeochannels. Their deposition is therefore largely
controlled by the basement topography. It is necessary to identify the entry
points along the edges of the basins and the palaeochannel directions in order to
trace the continuity of these beds. Most of these conglomerates are to be found
under a thick cover of overlying arenaceous beds and metavolcanics. These
formations are also involved in folding, which further renders tracing of palaeo-
current directions more difficult. Synthesis of the geophysical techniques and
study of the sedimentological parameters are being attempted in order to solve
the problem of tracing the quartz-pebble conglomerate horizons in a down dip
direction.

6.1.1.2. Geochronology

The time bound character of the quartz-pebble conglomerates and their

deposition below the banded iron formations limit occurrences. The age of the
granitoids underlying these formations, therefore, becomes a useful criterion in
locating such conglomerates. In many areas the granitoids are older, 2800 to
2900 Ma, which is equivalent to basement granitoids. Some of the granitic plutons
which were hithertofore considered intrusive have also been found to be basement
rocks falling into the time range of 2900 to 2600 Ma. The fringes of such plutons
also proved to be potential targets for exploration of quartz-pebble conglomerates
in India.

6.1.2. Hydrothermal vein disseminated mineralization

This mineralization falls broadly into the time bands of 1600 to 1400 Ma
and 1200 to 900 Ma (Middle to Late Proterozoic). Deposits of this type are the
 IAEA-TC-543/16 221

most important source of uranium in India. They occur in different geotectonic

environments, which include: (1) tectonized boundaries between Archaean granitic
cratons and the surrounding Proterozoic mobile belts (Singhbhum Belt); (2) shear
zones along younger rhyolite-andesite sequences of Middle Proterozoic (Bodal
type); (3) intramobile belt shear zones in areas of early granitization (Sarguja
type); and (4) shear zones (Brijranigad type) and tension joints (Kulu type)
associated with Himalayan thrusts. Exploration is, therefore, directed towards
identifying shear zones in these environments so that future uranium reserves
can be located.

6.1.2.1. Source of uranium

A synthesis of the major geological features of structurally controlled

hydrothermal mineralization indicates that the uranium deposited along with
early quartz-pebble conglomerates has also contributed, at least in part, to forming
remobilized vein type mineralization. In the intramobile belts the shearing of
granitoids has possibly released uranium from underlying granite rocks, helping
their enrichment along the low pressure areas of the shears. Where the shear zones
are deep crustal fractures associated with magmatism, uranium could be mantle
derived.

6.2. Uranium in Phanerozoic sediments

The evolution of the major sedimentary basins hosting uranium concentrations

has been a consequence of regional vertical tectonics. The Gondwana basins have
developed in graben like basins in cratonic regions. Mahadek sandstones have been
deposited along the margins of the horsted Shillong Block. The Siwalik Basin has
developed as a foredeep to the south of the Himalayas, uplifted as a result of
continent-continent collision.
None of the three sedimentary basins in which uranium concentrations occur
have episodes of acid or alkaline magmatism, which could account for a magmatic
source of ore forming fluids. On the other hand, these basins have a uraniferous
provenance for sediments, which were continually uplifted, thereby making it
possible for surface waters to erode uraniferous rocks and to deposit the sediments
in these basins. The sediments in the Gondwana and the Siwaliks are fluvial,
while those in the Mahadeks range from fluvial to marginal marine. They are
highly immature as a result of which it has been possible to retain the uranium
content in the rocks derived from the provenance. Subsequent uplifting of the
basins has energized the groundwater systems and oxidized part of the sediments,
resulting in the release of uranium in the U+6 state through the medium of ground-
water. The sediments contain organic matter which has helped to localize the
fixation of uranium in the waters by reducing it from the U+6 to the U+4 state.
The uranium in all three sedimentary basins is more or less confined to specific
222 VISWANATH and MAHADEVAN

TABLE III. URANIUM EXPLORATION TECHNIQUES USED IN INDIA AND

OTHER COUNTRIES

_ .. South
Canada UK USA India ... Sweden France
Africa

U genesis (plus rock

geochem istry)
U cycle

Gammaray spectrometry
A irborne - fixed wing
Helicopter
Car-borne
G round
Submarine
Borehole logging

Gasgeochemistry
A tmosphere - Ra
A tmosphere — He
Soil - Ra
Soil - He
Water — Ra
Water - He

Generalgeochemistry
B iogeochem istry
Sedimentary geochem istry
Soil geochem istry
Field analysis techniques
Hydrogeochem istry

Generalgeophysics
Magnetic methods
Electrical methods
Seismic
O ther
Remote sensing
Heat production
Isotopic studies
Age studies
Data integration and
presentation
Analytical techniques
Drilling techniques
Radiometric calibration
Exploration case histories

x indicates that the country has a government or commercially sponsored programme in the
particular area concerned.
 IAEA-TC-543/16 223

lithostratigraphic horizons. This is largely because sedimentation and tectonic

uplift have been synchronized and rocks of the provenance have been subjected
to mechanical rather than chemical weathering. In summing up, uranium minera-
lization in all three basins of deposition is a product of optimum tectonic uplifting
of the provenance, mobilization of uranium into sediments of the clastic type and
subsequent enrichment in zones of reduction through moving groundwaters.
This model of evolution has guided the exploration efforts in these sedimentary
basins and has been of considerable help in locating extensive areas of
mineralization.

7. TECHNIQUES OF EXPLORATION

The successof uranium exploration in India is due to application of the

various techniques normally used in different parts of the world. A comparative
statement of the techniques used in India and other countries was discussed at
the first meeting of the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD/IAEA Joint Group
of Experts on Research and Development in Uranium Exploration Techniques
held in Paris (see Table III).
Some of the important aspects of the application of these techniques,
especially with regard to those which have been recently evolved, are presented
in the following subsections.

7.1. Remote sensing techniques

These techniques have been employed systematically over the last decade
for exploration of uranium. The methods which are of particular relevance to
uranium exploration include Landsat and M2 S (with a thermal channel), as well
as aerial photographs in the visible spectral range. Infrared photography is being
introduced as an additional tool. Remote sensing data have been integrated with
airborne gamma ray spectrometric and magnetic data. Synthesis of the data from
the radiant and static fields referred to above is of great value in uranium explora-
tion and improves the quality of interpretation by an order of magnitude. This
has been borne out by several case histories of uranium mineralization in a variety
of geological environments, such as along a major shear zone in the Sarguja
crystallines, Madhya Pradesh, and U ttar Kannada, Karnataka. Such techniques
have also helped to evaluate target areas for exploration in the sedimentary belts
of the Siwaliks in the Himalayan foothills.
Digital image processing techniques such as stretching, ratioing of bands,
density slicing, colour coded band ratioing, edge enhancement and lineament
mapping through convolution techniques have been of particular help in identi-
fying various diagnostic features associated with uranium mineralization.
Mineralized (unoxidized) grey sandstones have been delineated from barren
224 VISWANATH and MAHADEVAN

(oxidized) red sandstones. Using these techniques, wall rock alterations have
been traced along shear zones and directional lineaments have been mapped in
the metasediments. It is proposed that the technique for pattern recognition
by integrating many data sources be carried out after acquisition of the required
computer facilities.

7.2. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry

Airborne gamma ray surveys date back to 1956 in India. Between 1956 and
1962 total count airborne radiometric surveys were carried out over 2.0 lakh km2
in the Peninsular Shield.1 Subsequent to developing airborne gamma ray spectro-
metric techniques, integrated airborne gamma ray spectrometric and magnetic
surveys were carried out between 1973 and 1974 and 1984 and 1985 and covered
2.5 lakh km2 . Using an off line plotter (CALCOMP), the corrected data of U, Th,
K, U/Th, U/K, Th/K and the total count were plotted and contoured for the areasover-
flown. The magnetic data were processed in a similar way to generate contour
maps. The data were integrated with ground geological data to narrow down
target areas for detailed ground radiometric surveys. It has been possible to cut
down target areas to about 10% by integrating the Landsat, airborne gamma ray
spectrometer and magnetometer data, thus effecting considerable savings in cost
and accelerating the pace of exploration.

7.3. Radon emanometry

While a solid state nuclear tract detector (SSNTD) and direct measurement
of radon emanometry are widely practised, the method using reactivated charcoal
and thermoluminescence has also been tried in different areas. Research on the
effectiveness of these methods in specific locations is being pursued in order to
assessthe relative merits of each. Thoron-radon discrimination is effected in
SSNTD surveys by suitable modifications carried out on the containers in which
the SSNTD films are mounted. Radon emanometry has helped to identify
extensions of known deposits and limited successhas also been attained in
locating new ore bodies.
Hydrogeochemical sampling is being carried out by using two mobile
geochemical vans in different parts of the country. Samples taken from about
10 000 km2 in the Siwalik formations in the Himalayan foothills (Hamirpur
Basin), with a frequency of one sample per 5 km2 , have helped to delineate some
zones anomalously enriched in uranium.

1 1 lakh = 10s .
 IAEA-TC-543/16 225

7.4. Ground geophysics

Of the many geophysical methods available, magnetic and electrical methods

have been of considerable aid in delineating ore bodies. The former have been
useful in STB, where uraninite ore bodies contain a significant amount of magne-
tite. The resistivity methods have also proved to be useful in areas where the ore
bodies have a high pyrite content. More recently, induced polarization methods
have been applied to delineate uranium ore bodies in Karnataka (Arbail) and it
has been possible to define extensions of the known ore bodies in areas of cover
and high surface oxidation.
It is proposed that seismic methods be applied in some terrains of quartz-
pebble conglomerates in order to identify the basement configuration in areas
of Late Archaean-Lower Proterozoic cover. Such methods are also likely to be
used in sedimentary basins where determination of the basement configuration
would help to identify palaeochannels and other sedimentary environments
which favour the formation of uranium deposits.

7.5. Geological mapping

In applying various techniques, an integrated approach is required, with the

correct choice of technique to obtain the maximum results. Surface geological
mapping is a very essential prerequisite for properly interpreting the data that
have accrued from many of the indirect techniques.

7.6. Database management system

With the establishment of a major computer facility in the Atomic Minerals

Division, a database management system is being evolved for organized storage
and retrieval of data. The computer is also being utilized in a variety of ways for
the processing and interpretation of data.

8. AREAS OF FUTURE THRUST

Of a total area of 3.2 million km2, about one-third is covered by Indo-

Gangetic alluvium and Deccan Plateau basalts. The remaining 2 million km2 are
of interest for uranium exploration in view of their geological features.
The future thrust in exploration in the Indian subcontinent will be carried
out in three main directions:

(1) Detailed investigations in more than 20 already identified belts of mineraliza-

tion to narrow down target areas for drilling (Fig. 2)
(2) Structural mapping and drilling in mineralized zones to identify more reserves
(3) Continuation of surveys to locate more areas of mineralization.
226 VISWANATH and MAHADEVAN

FIG. 2. Belts o f uranium potential in India.

The main aim will be to locate unconform ity related deposits in large areas
of Lower Proterozoic rocks under cover of sediments equivalent to those of the
Carpenterian of South Australia and the Athabasca sandstones of Saskatchewan.
Also, a search will be made for Rossing and calcrete type deposits in favourable
areas.
 IAEA-TC-543/16 227

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to express their gratitude to R. Ramanna of the Atomic

Energy Commission and the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of
India, for his deep interest in the uranium exploration programmes and for
permission to publish this paper. They also gratefully acknowledge the assistance
given by many of their colleagues in the field as well as those in the laboratory
who are actively engaged in the exploration activities of the Atomic Minerals
Division. In particular, they wish to express their thanks to D.C. Baneijee for
his help in the drafting and finalization of this paper.

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