Jurnal Sains Nuklear Malaysia, 2012, 24(1): 1-8 ISSN: 2232-0946 Correspondence author: azmi@nuclearmalaysia.gov.my REVISITING URANIUM RESOURCES IN MALAYSIA 1 Mohd Azmi Ismail and 2 Mohammad Roston Zakaria 1 Malaysian Nuclear Agency Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 Minerals and Geosciences Department Malaysia Lantai 20, Bangunan Tabung Haji, Jalan Tun Razak, 50658 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ABSTRACT An appraisal of the regional reconnaissance geophysical, geochemical and geological data obtained under the Central Belt Project in 1977 – 1978 appeared to constitute favourable uranium exploration targets. Follow-up surveys conducted until the year 1990 have proposed the exploration area to be divided into three transects. Transect 1 covers the western part of the state of Kelantan, northwest Pahang and the eastern half of Perak. Transect 2 covers southeastern tip of Perak, west Pahang, eastern half of Wilayah Persekutuan, eastern portion of Selangor, and the northwest portion of Negeri Sembilan. Transect 3 covers central Kelantan, northwestern of Terengganu and northern portion of Pahang. Results of the study indicate that the Main Range, Bujang Melaka, and Bukit Tinggi Plutons are most fertile with uranium spectrometric rock values range from 13 to 25 ppm. Further investigations to zero down the target areas for uranium mineralization are strongly recommended over these areas. Keywords: exploration, granite, ore, radioactive minerals, uranium INTRODUCTION Following the discovery of secondary uranium mineralisation at Gunung Bakau in 1928, Sg. Chiling, Kuala Kubu Baru dan Sangka Dua in 1938, a magnetic and spectrometric airborne surveys, covering 41,000 km 2 was carried out between 1956 – 1957 over 6 selected areas. In 1975, an Australian Company (AGIP Nucleare Australia Pty Ltd), after some reconnaissance surveys concluded to favorability of Mesozoic sandstones and volcanic formations for uranium deposits. Because the central belt was evaluated as a metallic potential area, a regional stream sediment sampling was carried out in 1977 with the aid of C.I.D.A. (Canadian International Development Agency). Uranium analyses were done by fluorimetry. In 1980 an heliborne spectrometric and magnetic surveys took place. A total of 57,356 km were flown by C.G.G. (Campagnie Generale de Geophysique) covering 32,375 km 2 . No major anomaly was discovered. From 1986 to 1988, following a preliminary note on uranium favourable granite and volcanic rocks done by experts recommended geochemical methods for uranium exploration. A number of targets were delineated for detailed prospection. Over 55 recommended areas, only some have given encouraging results, in particular the Kuala Lumpur area.