The geological survey's contribution to uranium exploration in Canada - A commentary

In Canada mineral resource activities are divided between three jurisdictions: The Federal and Provincial governments and the dominantly privately owned mineral and petroleum industry. Management of mineral resources is a provincial government responsibility. Uranium is an exception, as a consequence of special legislation enacted by the Federal Government in 1942 because of the element's unique properties and strategic importance. This enabled the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), as a Federal agency, to make studies of uranium resources, including assessment and the study of deposits, that were not possible with respect to other mineral commodities. During the 40's GSC participated in early exploration for uranium. In 1951 search for the commodity was opened to private prospectors and this led rapidly to the development of the Beaverlodge, Bancroft and Elliot Lake uranium camps. During this period GSC maintained a watching brief, and undertook research on uranium deposit geology and exploration method development. Exploration method research became particularly active after 1967 with the development of gamma ray spectrometry instruments and methods, and geochemical exploration methods including radon methods. The Uranium Reconnaissance Programme was launched following the 1973/74 oil crisis, and resulted in geochemical surveys mapping the distribution of 8 to 12 elements over 860,000 km2 and gamma ray spectrometer surveys over 1,590,000 km2. Information released in the form of hundreds of maps had stimulated many millions of dollars of exploration activity by industry. The data subsequently proved valuable for other commodities in addition to uranium. GSC provided basic uranium resource information. In addition it encouraged the development of high quality uranium exploration techniques which were subsequently made available to explorationists all over the world through Canada's support of the uranium activities of the IAEA. 15 refs, 4 figs, 1 tab