Assessing the undiscovered resources of uranium and thorium in Mamuju, West Sulawesi

Abstract

The exploration of nuclear minerals in Mamuju, West Sulawesi has been started in 2013 by the Center for Nuclear Minerals Technology (CMNT) – Badan Tenaga Nuklir Nasional (BATAN). There is a strong indication of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) minerals occurrences in the location. To follow the exploration result up, a resources assessment is needed. Due to the limited early exploration data, the concept of undiscovered resources can be used. Of all resource assessment methods suggested by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) method is the most appropriate method to be applied in the Mamuju case. In this research, Pocos de Caldas, Brazil (Osamu Utsumi Mine for U reference and Morro do Ferro Area for Th reference) was selected as control area due to its similarity on the geological condition and its more-advanced exploration stage compared to Mamuju. All the parameters for the assessment can be determined with the ERDA method based on the available information of the control area.