Imaging of unconformity related uranium ore zones by crosshole ERT

For the exploration of unconformity type uranium deposits in the Athabasca basin, Canada, electrical resistiivty survey is commonly used to define graphtic conductors in the basement. The method, however, can not provide enough resolution since the exploration target is seated in depth greater than 300 m while the width is less than 50 m. To overcome this inherent problem and introduce new exploration technology, we applied the crosshole ERT(Electrical Resistivity Tomography) technology in the Athabasca basin. Since the drillholes are not vertical and randomly oriented, 3D ERT inversion algorithm, accommodating arbitray electrode locations, was used to reconstruct 2D surbsurface resistivity image. For the 2D inversion in 3D inversion code, subsurface was assumed to be two-dimensional. We also applied the full 3D inversion to the field data set from several drillholes. In the ERT images, we could observe the graphitic pelite zone with very low resistivity which is our exploration target. By defining the accurate location of graphtic conductor, we could understand the basic setting of the site. Moreover, in the 3D ERT image, we could define anomalous zone in 3D space which can be related to the uranium target. By this introductory ERT survey, we could show that ERT can be used as a new geophysical exploration method in the Athabasca basin. In the current exploration procedure, barren drillholes are abandoned and further geophysical surveys using thes holes are rare in most cases. Since ERT technique can provide very high resolution image of the subsurface, we can have more detailed information to design the drilling program and this can lead to the cost reduction of exploration program. We expect crosshole ERT will become a standard geophysical methods in the exploration projects in the Athabasca basin.