| dc.description.abstract | A proof-of-concept detector prototype capable of collecting and storing radiometric
data in Jet Boring System (JBS) pilot holes at the Cigar Lake uranium mine is
presented. Variant design is used to design, develop, test and implement the detector's
hardware, fi rmware and software. The battery powered detector is attached inside a
JBS drill rod to collect radiometric data through the drilling cycle. A readout box
is used to initiate the detector, recharge the battery and download radiometric data
after a pilot hole drilling cycle is complete.
Functional testing results are presented and comparative test results between the
JBS gamma probe and the AlphaNUCLEAR Hi-Flux probe are evaluated. Field
data collected from three pilot holes is plotted against each pilot hole's driving layout
and jetting recipe. Future work is discussed for use of Monte Carlo modelling and a
high activity source to characterize the JBS gamma probe and achieve conversion of
gamma counts into U3O8 grade.
Cigar Lake is the second highest known grade uranium mine in the world. The mine
is located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Project engineers during the 2000 JBS
proof-of-concept tests suggested that jetting parameters for extracting cavities at full
production may be more eff ective if selected based on gamma logs and experience from
adjacent cavities instead of using pre-set recipes and interim surveys during jetting.
Moreover, in-situ pilot hole radiometric data may also be useful for grade control and
grade reconciliation from a cavity-to-cavity basis. At present, there is no method
available to efficiently and effectively obtain gamma logs from pilot holes, this project
is a major first step to address this issue. | en |
