A comparative study between gamma spectrometry and colorimetric method for estimating uranium ore grade

Accurate estimation of uranium in geological rock samples is very essential for the uranium exploration programme and to recover the uranium economically from the low grade ore for sustainable development. Uranium content in rock samples can be estimated by various non-destructible and destructive techniques. Gamma-ray spectrometry and TBP-Kerosene uranium extraction followed by calorimetric analysis are widely used for the estimation of uranium in the ore as a non-destructive and destructive technique, respectively. NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry technique can be used for estimation of uranium in ore having radioactive equilibrium between ²³⁸U and its daughter products. 10 nos of ore samples from Jaduguda and Banduhurang mines were collected and processed as per the standard procedure prior to gamma spectrometric analysis. The mean ore grade was estimated by NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry and colorimetric analysis technique was found to be 0.068 ± 0.042 and 0.064 ± 0.038 as % U₃O₈, respectively, with an overall variation of ± 5%. A paired t test performed on the two set data showed that at the 0.05 level, the difference between the two estimated means was not significantly different from each other