AMD surveys to look for uranium in 15 state dists
AN EXTENSIVE RESEARCH OF OVER 60 YEARS BY AMD HAS ESTABLISHED THAT RAJASTHAN HAS A FEW ‘POTENTIAL ZONES’ TO HOST ‘URANIUM MINERALISATION’
JAIPUR: Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, plans to carry out heliborne geophysical surveys in 15 districts of Rajasthan, states a letter issued by the Hyderabad-based office of AMD.
In the airborne geophysical surveys, physical properties of the earth’s subsurface are measured from the air. Heliborne geophysical survey is an advance technology for the airborne geophysical survey.
The AMD, which has the mandate to explore atomic mineral resources for the country’s nuclear power programme, plans the heliborne geophysical surveys after an extensive research of over 60 years, which established that Rajasthan has a few “potential zones” to host “uranium mineralisation”.
The AMD proposes to carry out the heliborne geophysical survey in parts of Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Nagaur, Sikar, Alwar, Pali, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Tonk, Banswara, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bundi and Sawai Madhopur districts of Rajasthan for a period of six months from October.
Through the letter, the AMD has requested the state government to provide safety and security to the helicopters, personnel and equipment used in the heliborne surveys, as the survey requires flying of helicopters at a height of 60 metres above the ground level with under slung instruments.
In 2012, survey and exploration activities of AMD had led to the establishment of significant in situ reserves of uranium (uranium oxide) at Rohil-ghateshwar area in Sikar district and Umra in Udaipur district. Uranium deposits of 6,726 tonne were was found in the two areas.
A senior state government official said the uranium from Rajasthan will not only supplement India’s nuclear power programme, but if the mine is established in the state, it will help in rural employment, civic development of the rural sector, and thereby socio-economic uplift of the region.