PATHFINDERS IN GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING FOR URANIUM IN NEW ZEALAND

Elemental associations in uranium minerals of the Lower Buller Gorge region of New Zealand were studied throughout the weathering sequence, minerals-soils-stream sediments, in order to discover suitable pathfinders for uranium in this area. Beryllium, copper and lead were shown statistically to be good pathfinders for uranium in soils. In stream sediments, only copper gave an indication of uranium mineralization in the drainage area of the streams concerned. An additional pathfinder in stream sediments was the copper/lead ratio for which values of 0.80 and above apparently indicated the presence of uranium mineralization in the vicinity. Positive results were obtained for a stream not previously blown to drain uranium anomalies. Additional work provided further evidence of mineralization near this stream. It is concluded that the work has shown the feasibility of using soils and stream sediments to prospect for uranium in an area which is extremely difficult of access. © 1969 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.