Uranium and Thorium Resources in India: UNFC System

Uranium and thorium resources in India: UNFC system

P.S.Parihar Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research Department of Atomic Energy

Government of India

1 21/08/2013 Government of India’s Policy on Atomic Minerals

The federal status of the DAE and the powers invested in it under the Indian Atomic Energy Act (1948 and 1962) as amended from time to time, bestow upon it several rights to facilitate atomic mineral exploration. The more significant ones are-

. Exclusive rights to conduct exploration for uranium, thorium and other prescribed minerals such as beryllium, lithium, niobium, tantalum and rare-earth elements all over the country .

. Exclusive rights to buy prescribed minerals from private mine

owners produced incidental to mining of other economic minerals.

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- . Rights to access to surface and sub-surface data on areas under exploration or mining/recovery for oil, coal, minerals and ground water by Government or Public Sector Organisations. The facility includes carrying out of gamma-ray logging of boreholes and

checking of mine workings and collection of samples etc. 2 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Government of India’s Policy on Atomic Minerals

Uranium exploration, production and utilisation are under the control of Central Government.

Only public sector companies under Government of India are allowed to explore and mine atomic minerals viz. U, Th, etc.

Present system of reporting of uranium reserves in India is as

per the IAEA system of uranium resource classification

. Indicated – [Reasonable assured resources (RAR)]

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- . Inferred – [Inferred resources (IR)] . Prognosticated resources (PR) . Speculative resources

3 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC NEA-IAEA classification of uranium resources

Identified Resources Undiscovered Resources

Reasonably Inferred Prognostigated Decreasing economic

kgU Assured Resources Resources

Resources

USD USD <40/

– Reasonably Inferred Prognostigated

Assured Resources Resources kgU

Resources

USD 40 USD 80/

- Reasonably Inferred Prognostigated

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kgU

- Assured Resources Resources Cost of recovery of Cost

viability Resources

USD 80 USD 160/

Speculative resources Speculative

– Reasonably Inferred Prognostigated

kgU Assured Resources Resources Resources

USD 130 USD 260/ UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Decreasing confidence in estimates . Two agencies, viz., Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) and Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy are engaged in the exploration and mining of uranium, respectively for its exclusive use as fuel in the nuclear power stations owned by Government of India.

. As per UNFC, reporting of resources are to be done by

numerical coding on three axes (E,F&G).

. The geological details (G) and feasibility status (F) of almost

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- all the Indian uranium and thorium deposits have been widely reported, but the details related to the economics (E) is not reported.

. As a result, the classification with reference to E axis may be 5 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC difficult for Indian deposits. UNFC system for uranium resource classification- suggested system for indian uranium resources

A new plane E0 is suggested for those countries who want to keep the uranium production

cost confidential.

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6 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Thorium resources

. All the evaluated thorium resources in India is confined to the mineral monazite occurring in the beach sand heavy mineral suite of East and West coasts.

. Indian resources fall under the category “VI. Placer and residual deposits of hill and valley wash”

of UNFC system and the deposits have been classified in

the geological and Feasibility axes . 30/10/2013

- . Economic axis depends on the associated heavy minerals and needs to be addressed separately. Numerical codes for E axis has not been worked out for Indian thorium deposits.

7 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC India’s uranium resources

and UNFC coding

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8 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

India’s uranium resources

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9 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

Major uranium deposits

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10 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand

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Seven production mines Two mills for beneficiation Uranium deposits/occurrences

11 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

11 Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand

Sixteen low grade - small to medium tonnage uranium deposits G and F axes fairly well established Seven producing mines Two mills

Only U producing mines in India so far

Accounts for 30% (≈ 55000t U O ) of country’s 30/10/2013

3 8 - UraniumSeven production resources mines Two mills for beneficiation Uranium deposits/occurrences

12 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

12 Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand

Sixteen low grade - small to medium tonnage uranium deposits G and F axes fairly well established Seven production mines Two mills

Only U producing mines in India so far

Accounts for 29% of country’s Uranium resources

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- (55549t U3O8) Seven production mines Two mills for beneficiation Uranium deposits/occurrences

13 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

13 Uranium resources in Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh

0 200 400 km

Delhi

Hyderabad Cuddapah Basin Kaladgi Basin Bhima Basin Pakhal Basin Vindhyan Basin Chhattisgarh Basin Khairargarh Basin Ampani Basin Abhujhmar Basin Indravati Basin Sukma Basin Shillong Basin Kunjar Basin

Gwalior Basin

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• Cuddapah basin accounts for ≈ 50% of country’s uranium reserves 14

UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC • Hold potential for immense additional resources

Uranium resources in Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh

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TUMMALAPALLE

UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC STRATABOUND CARBONATE HOSTED

Tummalapalle uranium deposit ≈ 70,000t U3O8

Uranium resources in Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh

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TUMMALAPALLE

UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC STRATABOUND CARBONATE HOSTED

Tummalapalle uranium deposit – 72,181t U3O8

Srisailam-Palnad sub-basins, Cuddapah basin

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17 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Srisailam-Palnad sub-basins, Cuddapah basin

 Unconformity type deposits

 Four deposits viz. Lambapur, Peddagattu, Chitrial and Koppunuru

 G axis fairly established

 ≈ 20,000t U3O8 established so far

 Similar type of deposits in Canada and

Australia are high grade-large tonnage 30/10/2013

18 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Srisailam-Palnad sub-basins, Cuddapah basin

 Unconformity type deposits

 Four deposits viz. Lambapur, Peddagattu and Koppunuru

 G axis fairly established

 More than 20,000t U3O8 established so far ≈ 20,000t U3O8

 Similer type of deposits in Canada and

Australia are high grade-large tonnage

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-  Super High grade deposits are associated with this type of deposits

19 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Uranium resources in NDFB

Mewaragujarwas 76° 00' 70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00' Dhanota 78° 00' Jhunjhunu 28° 28° Badhaura Kushlawali Dhani Antri 00' Panchlangi 00' Kanthi Goga Temple Karoth Ki Dhanian Kerpura Sior Sikar Alwar J Diara Siswali Rohil - Ghateshwar Ladi-ka-bas Bharatpur J Nagaur J J Kalatopri J Badhaura a J J J J J J J J J a Jaisalmer JAIPUR a J J J J J J J a J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J Durgapura J J J J J Kunchalwara J Jodhpur J J J J 26° 26° 00' Devpura Swai Madhopur 00' a Pali

Barmer

72° 00' Jalor Bhilwara Bundi Alluvium Kota Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite r r Kherpura r r V V Deccan Trap r Putholi

30/10/2013 a Abur Beds r

- r Kalamagra V V J J Jurassic Formations Jhalawar V V V Bap Beds Udaisagar r Chitorgarh V V Udaipur Umra r Vindhyan Supergroup r V V V V V Haldughati Prasad r V V V Malani Rhyolite V Palanpur V V V 24° Erinpura Granite 24° V V V V 00' Kharbar V V Delhi Supergroup 00' V V V Dungapur r r Raialo Series V V V V Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks Banswara V Granite/Nepheline Syenite V Hy derabad V Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) 0 50 100 km V V V 76° 00'

Uranium Occurrence 74° 00' V 20 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES Uranium resources in NDFB

76° 00' 70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00' Mewaragujarwas 78° 00'  Na metasomatite type uranium mineralisationJhunjhunu Dhanota 28° 28° Badhaura Kushlawali Dhani Antri 00' Panchlangi 00' Kanthi Goga Temple mainly in the Khetri sub-basin.Karoth Ki Dhanian Also occurrences in Kerpura Sior Sikar Alwar J Alwar and Lalsot-Bayana sub-basinsDiara Siswali Rohil - Ghateshwar Ladi-ka-bas Bharatpur J Nagaur J J Kalatopri J Badhaura a J J J J J J J J J a Jaisalmer JAIPUR  Middle Proterozoica J J J J J J J meta-sedimentary rocks with a J J J J J J J J J J acidic intrusivesJ J J J J J J J J J Durgapura J J J J J Kunchalwara J J Jodhpur J J J 26° 26° 00' Devpura Swai Madhopur  Zone00' of extensivea soda metasomatism Pali

Barmer

72° 00' Jalor Bhilwara Bundi  EstablishedAlluvium a low grade uranium depositKota in Rohil Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite r r Kherpura r r villageV V Deccan Trap r Putholi

30/10/2013 a Abur Beds r

- r Kalamagra V V J J Jurassic Formations Jhalawar V V V Bap Beds Udaisagar r Chitorgarh V V Udaipur Umra r Vindhyan Supergroup r V V V V V  Scope for similar mineralisationHaldughati in other sectors of Prasad r V V V Malani Rhyolite V Palanpur V V V 24° Erinpura Granite the sub-basin 24° V V V V 00' Kharbar V V Delhi Supergroup 00' V V V Dungapur r r Raialo Series V V V V Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks Banswara V  Belt underGranite/Nepheline active Syenite sub-surface explorationV Hy derabad V Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) V 0 50 100 km V Uranium Occurrence V 76° 00'

74° 00' V 21 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC  ≈ 7000tGEOLOGICAL U3O8 established MAP OF PART OF RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES Uranium resources in NDFB

76° 00' 70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00' Mewaragujarwas 78° 00' Na metasomatite type uranium mineralisationJhunjhunu Dhanota  28° 28° Badhaura Kushlawali Dhani Antri 00' Panchlangi 00' Kanthi Goga Temple mainly in the Khetri sub-basin.Karoth Ki Dhanian Also occurrences in Kerpura Sior Sikar Alwar J Alwar and Lalsot-Bayana sub-basinsDiara Siswali Rohil - Ghateshwar Ladi-ka-bas Bharatpur J Nagaur J J Kalatopri J Badhaura a J J J J J J J J J a Jaisalmer JAIPUR  Middle Proterozoica J J J J J J J meta-sedimentary rocks with a J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J acidic intrusivesJ J J J Durgapura J J J J J Kunchalwara J Jodhpur J J J J 26° 26° 00' Devpura Swai Madhopur  Zone00' of extensivea soda metasomatism Pali

Barmer

72° 00' Jalor Bhilwara Bundi  EstablishedAlluvium a low grade uranium depositKota in Rohil Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite r r Kherpura r r villageV V Deccan Trap r Putholi

30/10/2013 a Abur Beds r

- r Kalamagra V V J J Jurassic Formations Jhalawar V V V Bap Beds Udaisagar r Chitorgarh V V Udaipur Umra r Vindhyan Supergroup r V V V V V  Scope for similar mineralisationHaldughati in other sectors of Prasad r V V V Malani Rhyolite V Palanpur V V V 24° Erinpura Granite the sub-basin 24° V V V V 00' Kharbar V V Delhi Supergroup 00' V V V Dungapur r r Raialo Series V V V V Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks Banswara V Granite/Nepheline Syenite V Hy derabad  Belt under active sub-surface explorationV Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) V 0 50 100 km V Uranium Occurrence V 76° 00' 22

74° 00' V UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC  More thanGEOLOGICAL 7000t MAP OFU 3PARTO8 OFestablished RAJASTHAN SHOWING URANIUM OCCURRENCES Uranium resources in NDFB

ROHIL PROSPECT Section N-2 DISTT. SIKAR , RAJASTHAN 76° 00' 70° 00' 72° 00' 74° 00' Mewaragujarwas 78° 00' Na metasomatiteT.S.of BH.NO.GTR-166,81,100, type uranium 120,18,19,39 mineralisationJhunjhunu & RHL-16,19,18(p)Dhanota & 44  28° 28° Badhaura Kushlawali Dhani Antri 00' 50m 0 Panchlangi50 100m EAST 00' WEST Kanthi Goga Temple mainly in the Khetri sub-basin.Karoth Ki Dhanian Also occurrences in Kerpura Sior Sikar Alwar RHL-18(P) GTR-166 GTR-81 RHL-19 J GTR-120Diara GTR-18 GTR-39 RHL-16 489.35m Alwar495.01m and Lalsot495.30m GTR-100-Bayana sub-basinsSiswali GTR-19 487.10m RHL-44 500m Rohil488.22m - Ghateshwar486.90m 486.20m 486.60m Ladi-ka-bas486.70m Bharatpur 486.82m J Nagaur J J Kalatopri J Badhaura a J J J J J J J J J B 450 a Jaisalmer B1 JAIPUR  Middlea J ProterozoicJ J J J J J meta-sedimentary0.025X2.15m rocks with a J J J J J J 0.043X2.22m 1 1+1a J J J J 1a 4 1 1 400 J J J J J J 100 4 acidic intrusivesJ J J J 1 4 1+1a0.023X2.21m Durgapura 1 J J J J J 0.126X1.51m 1+7 Kunchalwara 1 J Jodhpur DD.189.75m A 4 J J A1 1 350 J J 1 31+7 0.028X1.39m 4 1 26° 26° DD.284.50m 1a 00' DD 251.05m 1a1+70.055X4.85m Devpura Swai Madhopur 00' a 0.039X4.94m1+7  Zone of extensive soda metasomatism0.077X15.50m 300 Pali 3 1+1a 4

Barmer

72° 00' 4 Jalor 0.041X9.27mBhilwara Bundi 250 0.024X1.73m*  EstablishedAlluvium a low grade uraniumDD.437.35m depositKota in Rohil 0.030X1.21m1+7 1 Sandstone & Conglomerate/Laterite r r 0.041X1.63m Kherpura 3 r r3 0.058X1.34m 1 200villageV V Deccan Trap r Putholi 400 INDEX

30/10/2013 a Abur Beds r 1a

- 0.066x1.16mr DD 402.40m V V Jurassic Formations 0.063X1.53mKalamagra0.059X4.17m J J Jhalawar OVER BURDENV 150 1a 0.107x1.01m1a V V Bap Beds 0.039x6.55m1+7 Udaisagar 1+7 r Chitorgarh V V 0.024x1.16mUdaipur 3a 0.049x1.08m Umra r ZONEV OF ALTERATION Vindhyan Supergroup 0.050x1.58mDD.619.60m r V V7 V V  Scope for similar mineralisationHaldughati0.075x1.58m r in other sectors of Prasad 1 V V V V 100 Malani Rhyolite 0.036x1.17* Palanpur 3 0.050x1.49m3 V V 6 V QUARTZ24° VIEN /REEF 0.024x1.15mm 0.103x1.32m Erinpura Granite 24° 33+7 V V 00' the sub-basin DD.715.10m V V 0.030x4.59mKharbar DD.538.40m V V Delhi Supergroup 00' V V V5 ALBITITE /ACID INTRUSIES 50 0.033x4.06mDungapur3+7 r r Raialo Series V V 3 V1aV 4 AMPHIBOLITE / BASIC INTRUSIVES Aravalli Supergroup/Basic & Ultrabasic Rocks 0.057x6.82m Banswara V 0.037X2.21m A 1 Hy derabad 00 Granite/Nepheline Syenite DD.736.20m V 3 3a QUARTZITE / AMPHIBOLE QUARTZITE a: GRAPHITIC  Belt under active sub0.043X3.07m-surface exploration B4 1+7 V Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) 0 50 100 km 0.035x4.65mV CALC SILICATE /IMPURE MARBLE 4 V V 276° 00' Uranium Occurrence 374°0.041X5.55m 00' V 23 -50 800m 0.064X1.34m 1a QBS WITH QUARTZITE INTERCALATIONS a: GRAPHITIC UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC 0.064 x 7.02m 1 More than 7000t DD.925.85mU0.058 Ox 6.09m establishedB U - MINERALISATIONS AT 0.020% eU3O8 CUT-OFF GRADE  -100 GEOLOGICAL MAP OF PART3 8OF RAJASTHANB3 SHOWING URANIUM& TRUE OCCURRENCES THICKNESS 0.078 x 12.79m DD.793.95m B2 0.081x 6.32m Additional Lodes Uranium resources in Bhima basin, Karnataka

F F GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BHIMA BASIN F 5 0 5 10 15Km

N 0 17 F 15' W E Kagna river S F F

F F

0 F 17 '

F F

Fracture zone INDEX 0 LATERITE 16 ' DECCAN TRAP 45 F F

30/10/2013 F

F CHERT BEDS (INTER - TRAPPEANS) - GOGI PURPLE SHALE(HARWAL Fm.) LIMESTONE( KATAMDEVARHALLI Fm.) SAND STONE/ SHALE(HALKAL Fm.) LIMESTONE(SHAHABAD Fm) SHALE (RABANPALLI Fm) 0 ARENITE 16 ' DYKE 30 F F YOUNGER GRANITE YOUNGER SCHIST BELT

F F PENINSULAR GNEISS OLDER SCHIST BELT (SARGUR) 24 F

F FAULT UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC SURFACE RADIOACTIVITY 0 16 ' 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 76 15' 76 30' 76 45' 77 77 15' 77 30' Uranium resources in Bhima basin, Karnataka

F F GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BHIMA BASIN F 5 0 5 10 15Km

N 0 17 F 15' W E Kagna river S F F

F F

0 F 17 '

F F

Fracture zone INDEX 0 LATERITE 16 ' DECCAN TRAP 45 F F

30/10/2013 F

F F PENINSULAR GNEISS OLDER SCHIST BELT (SARGUR) 25 F

F FAULT UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC SURFACE RADIOACTIVITY 0 16 ' 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 76 15' 76 30' 76 45' 77 77 15' 77 30' Uranium resources in Bhima basin, Karnataka

F F GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BHIMA BASIN F 5 0 5 10 15Km

N 0 17 F 15' W E Kagna river S F F

F F

0 F 17 '

F F

Fracture zone INDEX 0 LATERITE 16 ' DECCAN TRAP 45 F F

30/10/2013 F

F F PENINSULAR GNEISS OLDER SCHIST BELT (SARGUR) 26 F

F FAULT UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC SURFACE RADIOACTIVITY 0 16 ' 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 76 15' 76 30' 76 45' 77 77 15' 77 30'

Mahadek basin, Meghalaya

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27 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

7. Umthongkut Mahadek basin, Meghalaya

• Holds ≈ 10% of India’s uranium resources • Ore body occur as a blanket at shallow level

(<50m) • Suitable for opencast mining

• G and F axes fairly well established

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- • Prospect for more resources in the basin

≈ 20,000t U3O8

28 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

7. Umthongkut

Mahadek basin, Meghalaya

• Holds 11% of India’s uranium resources

• Ore body occur as a blanket at shallow level (<50m)

30/10/2013

- • Suitable for opencast mining • G and F axes fairly well established • Prospect for more resources in the basin

29 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

7. Umthongkut

Mahadek basin, Meghalaya

• Holds 11% of India’s uranium resources

• Ore body occur as a blanket at shallow level (<50m)

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- • Suitable for opencast mining • G and F axes fairly well established • Prospect for more resources in the basin

30 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

7. Umthongkut

Thorium exploration

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31 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Thorium mineralisation

. Heavy Mineral Placer Sand deposits • Shoreline Placer • Alluvial Placer • Inland aeolian Placer . Late-stage Igneous rocks • Alkaline Complexes Carbonatite

• • Alkali granite/Pegmatite

. Pegmatite

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- . Hydrothermal veins . Quaternary sediments . High grade Metamorphic rocks

32 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Thorium mineralisation - Monazite

. Source for Th and REE . Discovery – in the year 1909 from beach sands from Manavalakurichi, Tamil Nadu. . Occurs in placer sands along with ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, garnet, zircon & sillimanite.

. Monazite-bearing placer sands found along the coast-line

and also inland in aeolian and riverine environments.

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- . Recovered as by-product at: • Chavara, Kerala • Manavalakurichi, Tamil Nadu • Chattarpur, Odisha

33 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Monazite

 Grade in different environments

˃ Beach sands : upto 1% (up to 5% in some places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu)

˃ Teri Sands Tamil Nadu :Upto 0.10%

˃ Siri River, Chhattisgarh : Upto 0.8% (Riverine Placer)

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-  ThO2 : upto 9-10% (av.)

 U3O8 : 0.3%  REO : 60%

 P2O5 : 27% 34 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

Beach and inland placer deposits

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35 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Beach placer resources in India

Minerals Reserves as on August 2009 (million tonnes)

Ilmenite+Leucoxene 520.38 Rutile 29.11 Monazite 10.70 Zircon 32.28

Garnet 154.26

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- Sillimanite 195.85 Total 942.58

36 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC Conclusion

. The main constraint in adopting the UNFC system for uranium and thorium resources in India is that the production cost of uranium is not in public domain.

. It may not be possible to assign numerical codes for the Indian uranium and thorium deposits in the E axis.

. UNFC system therefore may incorporate a numerical 30/10/2013

code in the E axis for those deposits where economics is - not considered.

. This may help countries like India to adopt UNFC within their policy framework.

37 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC

Thanks

30/10/2013

38 UNFC workshop, NewDelhi workshop, UNFC