Aeroradiometric survey for uranium and ground follow-up in the main Karoo Basin

The discovery of uranium in the Karoo during 1970 triggered intensive exploration by private companies, but prior to 1976, involvement by the Geological Survey was confined to limited mineralogical and geochemical studies and examination of known occurrences. The results obtained are briefly described. During 1976 the Geological Survey launched a major airborne geophysical survey of the main Karoo Basin and adjoining areas. Concurrently four of the major deposits were studied in detail. Several hundred radiometric anomalies were selected from the spectrometer data thus obtained and the results of the further ground follow-up are described at length for both the high- and medium-intensity anomalies, while those of slight and low intensity are tabulated. Despite the wide flight-line spacing, the use of airborne radiometric surveys was successful in delineating the Karoo uranium province. Moreover, ground follw-up of the airborne anomalies uncovered a considerable number of occurrences. 132 refs., 9 ills., 14 tabs., 64 figs