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WWW.SIFTDESK.ORG 162 Vol-6 Issue-2
SIFT DESK
Accepted Date: 25
th
July 2022; Published Date:28
th
July 2022
Heike Wanke
2
, Innocent Shuro
3
, Manny Mathuthu
4
, Naomi Mokhine
4
, Tebogo Gilbert Kupi
4, 5
1
National Radiation Protection Authority of Namibia
2
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of the West of England
3
Electron Microscope Laboratory, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 11 Hoffman Street,
Potchefstroom, 2531
4
Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Cor-
ner of Albert Luthuli and University Drive, Mmabatho, 2745
5
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 11
Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom, 2531
CITATION
Heike Wanke, Innocent Shuro, Manny Mathuthu, Naomi Mokhine, Tebogo Gilbert Kupi, Age
Estimation of Uranium Ore Mineralization using Lead Isotopic Ratios as A Nuclear Forensic Tool(2022)
Journal of Earth Sciences & Environmental Studies 6(2) :162-168
ABSTRACT
The study investigated the use of Pb isotope signatures as an indicative of origin assessment of uranium
bearing ore mineralisation from the uranium province in Namibia. The objective of the study was to de-
termine signatures of Pb from uranium ore mineralisation, identify as to the Pb present is geogenic and/
or antrogenic and provided an estimate of the age of the uranium ore mineralisation from measured Pb
isotope.
A total of 24 samples of uranium ore were collected from three mines and the lead isotopic ratios and
age estimation signatures of the uranium ore mineralisation determined. Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometer was employed for sample analysis.
206
Pb was abundant in the ore samples and was
determined to be geogenic and not anthropogenic. The estimated age of the uranium ore mineralisation
was in the range documented for the Namibian Damara Orogen. The studied showed that lead isotopic
ratios can provide an estimate of the age of the uranium ore mineralisation and aid as a fool in nuclear
forensics.
Key words: Lead isotopic ratios, uranium ore mineralization, nuclear forensics, geochronology
Copy rights: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Sift Desk Journals Group
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any me-
dium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Age Estimation of Uranium Ore Mineralization
using Lead Isotopic Ratios as A Nuclear Forensic Tool
Journal of Earth Sciences & Environmental Studies (ISSN: 2472-6397)
DOI: 10.25177/JESES.6.2.RA.10811
Research