Uranium possibilities at El Gilf El Kiber area, Southwestern part of the Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

El Gilf El Kiber area is located in the Southwestern part of the western desert, Egypt which is delineated by longitudes 25° to 26° 30' E and latitudes 22° to 23° 20' N, at the border between Egypt with Libya and Sudan. It is considered as one of the most important promising areas of reclamation and urban growth. The area approximately covers 16600 Km2. The rock units in the study area can be arranged in ages from Precambrian (mainly granite) to Quaternary (mainly sand). Airborne geophysical surveys (gamma-ray spectrometry) data was collected over El Gilf El Kiber area by the airborne geophysics department of the Nuclear Materials Authority of Egypt. This data was analyzed and processed to produce maps for the concentration of radioactive elements (U, Th and K). Moreover, the identification and significance of uranium anomalies were also studied. The high radioactive anomalies were associated with the granitic rocks and have NNE-SSW direction. Sand sheets have also high radiation in that direction because of the leaching of uranium from the surrounding outcropping. Promising sites for uranium mineralization have been detected for further ground confirmation detailed studies.