Radioactivity in Mineral Deposit Exploration Summary

Mineral raw materials form the basis for energy production and the manufacturing industry.
They are a direct source of income, and a natural basis for developing a domestic manufacturing
industry. Most mineral raw materials are not renewable. Efficient production methods that save
energy and raw materials have to be employed. Wastes have to be recycled. Twenty of the naturally
occurring elements are radioactive of which Thorium, Uranium and an isotope of Potassium are
important in exploring. Radiation occurs due to the presence of these three elements. The other
elements are rare and/or weak in radioactivity and therefore have no use in geophysics.

Radiation exposures emerges where an exploration program includes contact with

radioactive ores through drilling, specimen analysis, handling, transport, storage and related waste
transfer. External exposure of workers (or individuals from people in general) to radiation amid
exploration activities can happen by being near radioactive specimens. The utilization of proper
personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene techniques are an imperative piece of radiation
administration and methods ought to be created to limit the spread of radioactive material when
dealing with core specimens and drill cuttings. Uranium is dense metallic and heavy element
occurring on in over 200 mineral forms within soil rocks and water.

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is one of the most sensitive analytical methods for many
elements. Even small, very rare samples, such as lunar samples or separated minerals, can be
analysed. NAA is accurate, can be applied without destroying the sample. It can be used for multi-
element analysis. It is easy to automate. More than 40 different elements can be determined in rock
sample. It determines the concentrations of elements in a vast amount of materials. Method is
based on neutron activation. Bombard sample with neutrons, elements to form radioactive isotopes.
Radioactive emissions and radioactive decay paths are produced. The analysis covered 90% of the
sample compare to conventional sampling 4-10%.

Significant locations or favourable areas for uranium exploration are defined, where the
measurements exceed (X + 2S)

Where,

X as the arithmetic mean of eU, eU/eTh and eU/K measurements

S as the standard deviation corresponding to each variables.

Moreover, the average radiation dose rates in the study area, which range from 0.57 to 1.3mSvyr1
average, are calculated from the exposure rate for each rock unit.

Disadvantages of Radioactivity in Mineral Deposit Exploration are such as cancer causing

agents, expensive and disposal difficulty.

As to conclude, radioactivity in mineral deposit exploration as its own advantages and

disadvantages.