National Seminar on Significant Advancements in Plasma/Flame/Associated Techniques and their Applications in Chemical Characterization of Atomic Minerals and Materials During 23 - 24 January 2013National Workshop on Recent Advances in Geology of Dongargarh-Kotri Belt, Central Indiaand its Mineral PotentialJointly Organized byAtomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research, HyderabadandGondwana Geological Society, Nagpur21stand 22ndJune , 2012NagpurIntroductionAtomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Department of Atomic Energy is the only institution involved in exploration of uranium, thorium and other atomic minerals used in the nuclear industry. The institution is rendering its services in establishing resources of atomic minerals and research in all fields of geology, viz. exploration, geochemistry, geochronology, and related areas for the past 60 years. During this period, AMD has carried out extensive exploration activities in Central India in Archaean crystallines, Proterozoic and Mesozoic basins and generated a huge data base. Several target areas had been identified and subsurface exploration work resulted in proving a few uranium deposits and a number of occurences.Gondwana Geological Society (GGS), established in 1981 is one of the pioneering and proactive earth science societies in our country, promoting the cause of advanced geo-scientific study and research. The Gondwana Geological Magazine (ISSN 0970-261 X) with two issues annually is the flagship journal of GGS. The GGS has organized a number of National Seminars, Conferences and Workshops in the past.Besides AMD, national institutions and research organizations such as GSI, IBM, HCL, MECL, NGRI, WCL, DMGs and several universities have extensively worked in Central India to understand the stratigraphy, magmatism, geochemistry, tectonics, evolutionary processes and economic potentials. There is a need to synthesize and interprete the data, to fill the knowledge gaps and to evolve new strategies to strengthen the exploration activities. A two day national workshop during 21st and 22nd June, 2012 is planned by AMD at Nagpur on Recent Advances in Geology of Dongargarh-Kotri Belt and its Minerals Potential in association with the Gondwana Geological Society, which will provide a platform for interaction between the scientists, explorers, and researchers who have worked and contributed in understanding in the evolution of Central India.The ThemeCentral Indian shield is a part of Bastar craton which is surrounded by Singhbhum craton in the east, Bundelkhand in the North and Dharwar craton in the South and separated by Eastern Ghat mobile belt and Gondwana rifts. Bastar craton constitutes basement crystallines, supracrustal sequences and intrusive batholiths overlain by sedimentary basins. Dongargarh-Kotri Belt (DKB) is situated within Bastar craton and according to some workers it is a typical greenstone belt. It is also a prime target for uranium, REE, gold, copper and related metals and therefore attracts special attention among explorers and researchers alike.DKB, with imprints of repetitive volcanic, plutonic and tectonic activities and Khairagarh basin of volcano-sedimentary assemblage, presents an enviable geodomain for geological, geophysical, geochemical and geochronological appraisal from the point of view of hosting various metal deposits including uranium and REE. It is very pertinent to have a scientific discussion / exchange of ideas about the area for value addition to geological knowledge base in the pursuit of enhancing National Mineral Inventory.The main objective of the workshop is to identify recent advancements in geology and to document these and other significant aspects, through contributions from leading past and present workers involved in geological research in India. Contributors are expected to focus on following themes:1. The basement of DKB.2. Central Indian Tectonic Domain and its relation with DKB.3. Evolution of volcano-sedimentary sequence and Dongargarh Malanjkhand granitoid.4. Geophysical studies over DKB.5. Uranium, REE and other mineral potential of DKB.The workshop will include invited talks by eminent geoscientists who have vast experience in the above fields as well as presentation by active workers on DKB having a vision for the future. In addition, poster session is being arranged for young researchers who can contribute and express their views and interact with experts. The workshop will conclude with a Panel Discussion for viable recommendations which will form the basis for developing future exploration strategy for U, REE, base metals and Au.RegistrationIntending participants may register on or before15thMarch, 2012. Registration fee is Rs. 250/- for students, Rs. 500/- for Members and Rs. 1000/- for non members of the Gondwana Geological Society, Nagpur. The delegates may send their registration fee in advance by Demand Draft drawn in favour of National Workshop DKRB, Nagpur.Submission of AbstractsAbstracts of papers, not exceeding 300 words are to be submitted alongwith registration form so as to reach the Convener positively on or before15thMarch, 2012. The abstract should also be submitted through email in MSWord format for fast processing and communication. Authors of selected abstracts will be informed alongwith the second circular for submission of the full paper. The abstract should include the title of the paper, names(s) of the author(s), organization and the address, including the e-mail ID.Submission of full PapersThe papers accepted for presentation in the workshop will be published in a Special Volume of Gondwana Geological Society after peer review and will be released during inauguration of the workshop as per precedence of GGS. It is, therefore, requested to submit the full paper in hard copy as well as a soft copy in CD/email on or beforeApril, 30, 2012as per Gondwana Geological Magazine format.WeatherWeather at Nagpur will be rainy and is expected to be pleasant.AccommodationLimited accommodation will be available in various government and university guest houses. Hotel accommodation suiting various budget needs is also available. The delegates are requested to indicate their requirement and choice of accommodation well in advance.The nuclear power programme of the country is a three stage programme.Thefirst stageofthis programme is based on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) which are fuelled by natural uranium.The requirement of natural uranium for these reactors is met from the indigenous resources established by AMD. Thesecond stageenvisages utilization of plutonium produced and re-processed from the first stage. Thethird stageis based on thorium for which not only some breakthrough has been achieved but also further R&D effort is in progress. The requirements of thorium would be met from vast resources of the mineral - monazite (a thorium, REE phosphate).The work spectrum of AMD is closely linked to different phases of nuclear fuel cycle, viz.Front end:survey for identification of atomic mineral deposits

Middle:site selection for nuclear power reactors

Back end:selection of suitable sites for waste disposal

The front-end activities are of major importance and are carried out in the field with adequate laboratory support. The principal activity is to identify three major group of resources viz. (i) uranium, (ii) rare metal and rare earths (Nb-Ta, Ce, Be, REE, Y), and (iii) beach sand minerals containing minerals of thorium, titanium and zirconium.Uranium InvestigationsThe field activities commence with remote sensing studies / airborne surveys (ASRS) followed by ground geological, geochemical, geophysical surveys (EGPG)on different scales. Once ground anomalies have been established by these methods, their subsurface continuity is probed by core / non-coredrillingand rarely by exploratory mining. The laboratory studies are carried out simultaneously to evolve models for exploration and for optimising the recovery parameters. Once a deposit is established, it is handed over toUranium Corporation of India Limited(UCIL) for commercial exploitation.Investigations for RMRE ResourcesThe mineral resources included in this group are columbite-tantalite, beryl, spodumene, lepidolite and xenotime which generally occur in pegmatites and riverine placers. The field investigations commence with survey, followed by pitting / sampling to estimate the grade of the occurrence. These minerals are then won by excavating gravel portion of the pegmatites and by setting up on-site small-scale recovery plants. Separation of these minerals is done by physical beneficiation methods and the recovered minerals are stock piled in the godowns of the Directorate.Beach Sand InvestigationsThe beach sand minerals comprise of ilmenite, rutile, zircon, monazite, garnet, and sillimanite which occur in different concentrations along various coastal stretches of the country. These mineral resources are sampled by auger drilling, conrod bunka drilling, dormer drilling and reserves are estimated by mineralogical analysis of both individual and composite samples. These resource estimates are parted with Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) and other state government / private entrepreneurs on commercial terms.Laboratory supportIn order to support the above investigations, the Directorate is equipped with various laboratories both at AMD headquarter and regional centers. They not only provide useful information to the field units but also design, develop, fabricate and maintain many of the instruments required in the exploration programme.While in each Region there is a Physics, Chemistry and Petrology laboratory, in the Headquarter at Hyderabad, there are other laboratories also often functioning as a Group, viz.Mineralogy-Petrology-Geochronology Group Petrology Laboratory X-Ray diffraction laboratory Electron microprobe laboratory X-Ray fluorescence laboratory Spectrograph laboratory Geochronology laboratoryRadiation Standards and Analysis Group Radiometric assay (Physics) Laboratory Neutron activation laboratoryInstrumentation GroupChemistry GroupMineral Technology laboratoryEnvironmental studiesWinning of minerals from the earth involves alteration of environmental parameters and has always been a concern for the mankind. Atomic minerals, especially uranium, being radioactive the concerns of environment draw more attention. However, considering the fact that uranium is packed with abundant energy, for comparison, 1 kg petroleum products produce 4 KWh electricity whereas 1 kg of natural uranium produces 50,000 kwh electricity the importance of winning this metal from the earth assumes all the importance.For planning and initiating remedial measures, if any, in a mining activity, pre-project environmental data is therefore essential. In the recent years, AMD has been generating the pre-project environmental baseline data around the potential mining sites.Towards the back-end activities, AMD is associated with the site selection for nuclear establishmentsSite selection for nuclear power reactorsNuclear Power Plant sites are subjected to stringent evaluation at every stage from regional analysis to site specific investigations, for which AMD carries out geotechnical studies during pre-construction stage. It collates the available geological and seismotectonic data for 300 km radius area around the site. Seismotectonic maps on suitable scales are synthesized, Active Faults identified and the earthquake potential of the structural elements and seismotectonic provinces is evaluated. Remote sensing studies using satellite imageries and aerial photos followed by limited field check are supportive supplements in this work. The output of this endeavor has application in deriving the seismic parameters that are used in the design to strengthen the foundation and the structure to withstand the heavy loads and seismic shaking. Similar studies are carried out for the sites for Heavy Water Plants, Tailings Ponds and Irradiation Plants.In the selected sites geological mapping of the reactor pits, lithologging, petrographic studies of the borehole cores and base-line radiation data collection are carried out.Site Selection for Waste DisposalNuclear industry generates radioactive waste (RAW). Ultimate disposal of this waste is done in suitable geological environment. Consequently comprehensive geological study in relation to all aspects of storage / disposal of RAW is a must before final selection of sites of radioactive waste repository. AMD extends the cooperation in the site selection of repositories, drilling of the candidate sites and studying of the core samples in order to evaluate the subsurface conditions, petromineralogical characteristics and to generate samples for the testing of engineering properties. Expert opinion is offered to the end user on the investigative geological reports submitted by other agencies.MiscellaneousIn addition, some of the miscellaneous activities carried out by AMD are as under1. Site specific background radiation surveys were carried out in Goa and Nepal for M/s. Kodak India Pvt., Ltd., for their photographic film storage plants.2.Radon Emanometry surveys were carried out in and around Khilari following the 1993 earthquake and the radon anomalous behaviour had shown coherence in time with seismic events.3.As a member of the Task Force, AMD has contributed to the revision of IS code in bringing about the Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures, Part.1 General Provisions and Buildings(Fifth Revision), IS 1893 (Part-1): 2002.4.AMD contributes in the formulation of codes of AERB pertaining to geological and seismological aspects and was a member of Expert Committee for Seismic Qualification of existing DAE installations (ECSQ).

AMDs prime mandate is to identify and evaluate uranium resources required for the first stage of atomic energy programme of the country. For implementing this important task investigations are taken up across the length andbreadth of the country from Regions located at New Delhi (Northern Region), Bangalore (Southern Region) Jamshedpur (Eastern Region), Shillong (Northeastern Region), Jaipur (Western Region), Nagpur (Central Region)andHyderabad (AMD headquarter &South Central Region).The strategies for uranium exploration are guided by geological criteria and contemporary developments in uranium exploration techniques world over. Thegeneral scheme of activities (investigative methodology)commences with literature study followed by study of available satellite images/ photogeological maps, known radioactivity, geochemical anomalies etc. This is followed by airborne gamma ray spectrometric (AGRS) surveys over favourable areas for narrowing down the target areas. Radiometric reconnaissance survey is taken up inthese target areas using hand held scintillometer. Once uranium anomalies are located, detailed geological and geophysical studies on different scales (1:50000; 1:25000; 1:10000; 1:5000) are then undertaken to narrow down the areas for taking updrilling. Simultaneously, the samples generated at various stages of exploration are analysed inPhysics,Chemistry,Spectrograph,Petrology,XRF,XRDandEPMAlaboratories for ore characterization. Bulk samples of the ores are studied inMineral TechnologyandOre Dressing laboratoriesfor optimizing flow sheet characters.ACHIEVEMENTS OF PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (1950- 2010)RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY5,23,698 Sq.Km

AGRS SURVEY6,56,996 Line Km

DETAILED SURVEY11,186 Sq.Km

GEOCHEMICAL SURVEY2,26,506 Sq.Km

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY3,118 Sq.Km

DEPARTMENTAL DRILLING13,70,293 m

CONTRACT DRILLING6,32,239 m

The resources of uranium are estimated at various stages of exploration and the mutually agreed reports on reserve estimates are prepared jointly with theUranium Corporation of India Limited(UCIL) for planning commercial exploitation.ResourcesIndia's identified conventional uranium resources (RAR and Inferred) are estimated to amount to 105 900 tU and are hosted by the following type of depositsS.No.Category #Resource %U Occurrences in India

1Vein type49.06%

2Sandstone type14.57%

3Unconformity type12.92%

4Metasomatic0.63%

5QPC0.33%

6Others22.49%

# categories as per Red Book (IAEA), 2009Majority of these resources occur in following 3 uranium provinces.(i)Singhbhum uranium province, located in theEastern Region. All the deposits, presently being exploited,such asJaduguda, Narwapahar, Turamdih, andBagjataoccur in this province.The other deposits in this belt areMohuldih, Nandup, Rajgaon, andGaradih. All these occurrences are of vein type.(ii)Mahadek uranium province, located in theNortheastern Region.The CretaceousMahadek Formationin Meghalaya contains the largest and richest sandstone-hosted uranium deposit of the country atDomiasiat(KPM deposit) in West Khasi Hills district. Another deposit of similar nature is atWahkynwhere exploration activities are in progress.(iii)Cuddapah uranium province, located in theSouthernandSouth CentralRegions.It contains the Proterozoic unconformity related uranium deposit atLambapur-Peddagattuin Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. TheCuddapah basinalso hosts a unique stratabound uranium deposit associated with siliceous dolostone atTummalapallein Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh.Current & Future ProgrammeEfforts are underway to augment the uranium resource base of the country by expediting exploration inputs in following geological domains. Airborne Time Domain Electromagnetic surveys have been introduced in a big way in the uranium exploration programme of the country. More than 400 000 km of airborne geophysical surveys, including TDEM, Gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetic surveys, are proposed to be carried out over potential Proterozoic Basins of India. An ambitious programme to drill about 700 000 m in potential target areas of the country has already been formulated in order to augment national uranium resources.1.Proterozoic basins:Nearly 33% of world uranium resources are found in the Proterozoic rocks. Particularly the unconformity contact zones between the Lower Proterozoic rocks with those of Middle-Upper Proterozoic ages have been the prime locales for the Uranium mineralisation. In India, a number of Proterozoic basins such as (i) Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh (ii) Aravalli-Delhi fold belt, Rajasthan (iii) Gwalior-Vindhyan basin, Madhya Pradesh (iv) Bhima basin, Karnataka (v) Chhattisgarh basin in Chhattisgarh & Orissa exist where multidisciplinary investigations have been taken up insearch of unconformityrelated uranium deposits.2.Phanerozoic basins: Similarly nearly 18% of world uranium resources are associated with Phanerozoic sandstones. In India too, the Phanerozoic sandstones, particularly the Cretaceous basin of Meghalaya has been one of the main targets for uranium exploration. One deposit has already been established and the entire basin has been considered as one of the thrust areas for uranium investigation.Other Phanerozoic basinsconsidered potential are (i) Siwalik basin of the Himalayas, (ii) Gondwana basins of Central India.3.Fe-oxide breccia type deposits:Particularly after the discovery of the Olympic Dam deposit in Australia which alone constitutes 31% of world uranium resources (RAR+EAR under 50% (Nb+Ta)2O5at the prices fixed videnotification No.12/2(3)/2007-I&M(AMD)/27 & 28dated 14-05-2008.Sale of LepidoliteA limited stock of lepidolite (lithium mineral) available with AMD is earmarked for sale as per the terms and conditions stipulated in theDAE notification No.9/1/92-AMD(R&D)dated 06.12.1993.

In the nuclear power programme of the country, uranium plays the key role. Thefirst stageof three-stage programme of the Department is based on PHWRs which are fuelled by natural uranium. Thesecond stageenvisages utilization of plutonium produced in the first stage and thethird stageis based on thorium fuel. Therefore, apart from uranium, AMD has also been engaged in locating and evaluating the mineral resources of thorium and other nuclear raw materials, such as zirconium, beryllium, lithium, etc. required for implementing the above programme. These minerals, such as ilmenite, rutile (titanium minerals), zircon (zirconium mineral), monazite (thorium and REE mineral)along with garnet and sillimanite, occur abundantly along the eastern and western coastal plains of the country as well as in some inland placers of Tamil Nadu,Bihar and West Bengal. Amongst these, ilmenite, rutile, zircon and monazite are grouped as prescribed substancesunder the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.AMD has the mandate to explore and evaluate the resources of these minerals.Of the nearly 6000 km. coastal length of the country nearly one third has been explored so far and a large tonnages of these minerals established.

UsesThe beach sand and inland placer minerals find wide application in both atomic energy and other industries. The salient uses of these minerals are:Ilmenite: It is a source mineral for titanium. It is used in garter springs of a nuclear reactor and astitanium pigment, titanium metal, and sand blastingRutile: titanium pigment, titanium metal, welding rod fluxLeucoxene: titanium pigment, welding rod fluxZircon: Zircalloys as cladding material for nuclear fuel, opacifier/ pigments for ceramics, refractories, zirconium metal production, abrasivesMonazite: source for thorium, rare earth elementsGarnet: AbrasivesSillimanite: RefractoriesResourcesThere are 27 deposits of beach sand and inland placer minerals identified so far along the coastline and inland placers of India. Thetotal resourcesestablished in these deposits are given in Table.Policy Resolution on Beach Sand MineralsConsidering the large resource base of these minerals and growing demand for their value added products it was decided by the Government to allow Private Sector participation in this highly capital intensive field. Accordingly, DAE has issuedPolicy Resolution, 1998allowing participation of entrepreneurs in(i) Mining and Mineral separation(ii) Value addition per se to the products of (i) above(iii) Integrated activities (Comprising both (i) and (ii) above)Executive SummariesVarious summary and detailed reports on beach sand mineral deposits are now made available to entrepreneurs on payment basis at a cost which will be intimated on specific request. Thelist of executive summariescurrently available for sale are given in Table.The reports on any other area, not listed above, can be generated by AMD on specific request.Details of Approved Mine Plans pertaining to Private Enterprises in Tamil NaduAirborne SurveysThe significance of airborne radiometric and airborne magnetic (AM) surveys in prospecting for atomic minerals was recognised by AMD as early as 1955 when the survey wasundertaken by hiring a Dakota aircraft with indigenously designed and fabricated Total Count system on board. In 1972 the total count system was replaced with in-house designed high sensitivity Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometer and Proton Precession Magnetometer fitted on the hired Dakota aircraft.The continuoushardware upgradation and refinement of the data acquisition, processing and interpretation capabilities resulted in the development of high sensitivity Notebook PC-based gamma ray spectrometer with larger NaI (Tl) detector crystals. From 1997 till 2002, this unit, interfaced withCs-vapour magnetometer and Global Positioning System, was flown by hiring Beechcraft B-200 aircraft of National Remote Sensing Agency. The Flight line interval ranged from 500 to 2000 meters.In 2003 heliborne EM survey was carried out by outsourcing the operation to NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute) with their instruments. The flight line interval was 250 meters.Calibration padsas perIAEAstandards were constructed, at Nagpur airport for calibration of spectrometer and calculation of system sensitivities and stripping ratios.This is the only facility in the entire southeast Asia.Two test strips of natural terrain, located at Devarkonda, Nalgonda dist, Andhra Pradesh and at Malharbodi, Bhandara dist., Maharashtra, were identified. These are being used for the determination of height attenuation coefficients for each of the radioelements and total gamma radioactivity.Digital image processingtechniques were customized to generate images from theairborne geophysical (AGRS & AM) data as well as for enhancing georeference imagesand integration of the derived information with other data sets.Radioelemental and total magnetic intensity contour maps and images are generated based on corrected and processed data.These images are useful to study the distribution of U, Th and K with respect to ground geology. A composite Ternary image of K-Th-U by assigning R-G-B colours depicts better ground geology and helps in refining geological maps particularly in granitic terrain. The softwares used to generate outputs are Golden Software Surfer, ERDAS Imagine, Ilwis and ENVI.The outputs are being utilised for atomic minerals exploration, in locating uranium, beach and inland heavy mineral placer deposits, geological mapping and environmental monitoring. Such surveys over Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery and South Rewa Gondwana Basins were taken up, on contract, for the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation in the Exploration of hydrocarbons. Aero-radiometric surveys were also carried out by AMD over Madras Atomic Power Plant (MAPP) at Kalpakkam and Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP) at Kota for monitoring the environmental radiation.AMD hascovered an areaof about 5.365 lakh sq. km (till March 2004) by high sensitivity AGRS and AM surveys.The contour maps, digital images and processed data are available with AMD headquarters, Hyderabad.AMD dedicates these efforts to those scientists, engineers and pilots, who while exploring new horizons, did not return during 1962 & 1977Acatalogue of AGRS survey data and maps prepared in this regard are available at AMD headquarters, Hyderabad.Remote SensingThe organization has well equipped remote sensing laboratorieswith opto-mechanical instruments, digital image processing systems, scanners, printers, plotters and expertise in processing, enhancements, Geo-referencing, interpretation and thematic map generation.The remote sensing data inputs include B&W aerial photographs, hard copies and transparencies of FCC satellite images and digital data of various satellite sensors like IRS-WIFS, LISS-II, LISS-III, PAN, LANDSAT-MSS, TM and SPOT-VHRR. Golden Software Surfer, ERDAS Imagine, ILWIS and ENVI Softwares are used for the image generation and enhancement. All the Regional Headquarters are equipped with remote sensing laboratories.Geographic Information SystemSpatial database creation of atomic minerals exploration is being carried out for data storage, retrieval, integration, analyses, thematic map generation and target area identification. The spatial database being created includes geological maps, lithostructural maps, AGRS & AM contour maps and images, detailed ground uranium exploration maps, litho-, pedo- and hydro-geochemical maps and enhanced satellite images. The digital maps are stored in ArcView Shape file format along with attribute data. The software used are ESRI ArcGIS Desktop and Workstation, AutoCAD, Golden Software Surfer, ERDAS and ENVI.Geophysical techniques have been integral part of uranium exploration programme of the organization, particularly in delineating subsurface structures and geology, having bearing on ore localization. Some of the areas where these techniques have been effectively applied in establishing continuity of mineralisation are parts of Singhbhum shear zone, Jharkhand; Rohil-Ghateshwar area, Sikar district, Rajasthan; Umra area, Udaipur district, Rajasthan; Arbail area, North Kanara district, Karnataka; and in Bhima basin, Gulbarga district, Karnataka.Methods and equipments availablea)Field equipmentThe various ground geophysical equipments presently available in AMD for field use are listed below.i)Gravity meter (Sodin make)ii)Total field proton magnetometer (ELSEC, EG&G and SCINTREX make)iii)Cesium magnetometer (Scintrex make)iv)Gradiometer (Scintrex make)v)Resistivity/ Induced Polarization (IP) equipment (IPR-10, IGS-4 both Scintrex make & IPV-2 Phoneix make)vi)Digital Self-Potential (SP) meter (Indigenously made)vii)Electromagnetic (TURAM) equipment (Scintrex make)viii)Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) equipment (EM-37 System, Geonics make) for ground surveyix)Very Low-frequency (VLF, Scintrex make)x)Slingram and horizontal loop EM (Scintrex make)Ancillary instrumentsxi)Global Positioning System (GPS, 12 channel ML-150 Micrologic)xii)Theodolite (Nikon and Wild make)xiii)Transreceivers (Realistic, Panasonic & Motorola make)b)Laboratory equipmentInstruments to measure physical properties of rocks in the laboratory are listed below.i)Magnetic Susceptibility meter (Helmholtz coil set-up for laboratory & portable Terra Science make for in-situ measurements)ii)Conductivity meter (PELICON PRODUCTS TORRANCE, USA)iii)Density meter (Walker & Steel balance, Indian make) and precision electronic balance.Available SoftwaresThe group is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art software packages for processing of various geophysical data sets. Some of them are developed in-house and others purchased from abroad.a) Software developed in-housei) MAGPROS: Developed using FORTRAN for gravity and magnetic data processing.ii) GMINV: An inversion software for gravity and magnetic data (2D) to obtain source parameters.iii) EXPFIT: A DOS based software written in FORTRAN for interpretation of secondary IP effects.b) Software purchased from abroadi) GEOSOFT : This software package, in both DOS and WINDOW versions, was purchased from Geosoft, Canada for gravity and magnetic data processing. Also, forward Modelling of the profile data is included in GMSYS.ii)OASIS MONTAJ: This is the Windows version of the GEOSOFT software package currently being used for aeromagnetic data processing.iii) RESIX IP 2DI V4: This software package, purchased from Interprex Pvt. Ltd., USA, is available for processing of 2D resistivity and IP data.iv)EM VISION: This software package, purchased from ENCOM Technology, Australia is available for analyses and Modelling of TEM data.Four decades of Geophysical Exploration Activity in AMDa)Ground Geophysical SurveysSo far, uranium exploration has relied predominantly on radiometric techniques asa direct detection process. However, as uranium resources near the surface have more or less been discovered, emphasis is presently shifted to explore deeper resources with non-radiometric geophysical techniques as potential tool. During the last four decades, the geophysics group of AMD has been actively involved in applying the non-radiometric geophysical techniques in geologically favourable terrains in different parts of the country for exploration of uranium.Nearly 2600 sq.km. area have been covered so far by various types of geophysical surveys in the country in different terrainconditions.Areas where geophysical survey has been successfully utilized are (a) Singhbhum shear zone, Jharkand (b) Rohil - Ghateshwar area, Sikar district, Rajasthan, (c) Umra area in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, (d) Gogi area in Bhima basin, Gulbarga district, Karnataka, (e) Arbail area in North Kanara district, Karnataka.b)Airborne GeophysicsAirborne magnetic data are acquired every timeAGRSsurveysis undertaken on any defined area. These airborne data are being processed and interpreted using state-of-the-art softwares and the product generated are generally high quality colour images that make visualization and interpretation more realistic.Data pertaining to nearly 5 lakhs sq. km of area has been processed so far.Atomic Minerals Data Centre (AMDC) is responsible to meet all the IT related needs of the Directorate. The major activities of the group are as follows.AGRS Data processingIn its earlier incarnation as Central Data Processing Unit (CDPU), established approximately 30 years back, the center started developing computer programmes for processing Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometry (AGRS) data, generated from routine AGRS survey conducted by the Directorate. The data processing technique developed by the group is in conformity with IAEA Technical Reports Series No.323 published in 1991. Various computer programmes/ softwares and their objectives developed in this regard are as follows:Sl.No.Software developedObjectivesCategory

1.MCAMCA spectrum peak finding/fixing and integration of MCA data for K, U, Th windowsQuality Control

2.VelproValidation of Fiducial markings

3.RAWPRINTVerification of record length and applying corrections

4.BGCALComputation of calibration parameters (Background, Attenuation coefficients, stripping factors and system sensitivities) from test strip and test pad data.Systems calibration

5.ATTNCOEFF

6.COMPTONCOEFF

7.VALIDFiltration of K, U, Th and total data for errors/jittersData processing

8.CNCBackground, Compton (interchannel) and height correction for K, U & Th.

9.GRIDGridding of AGRS data

10.PARMWISECalculation of basic parameters (U, Th, K, Total & Magnetic) and ratio parameters (U/Th, U/K & Th/K)

11.CONTOURPresentation of grid data in contour map and colour imagesData presentation

12.PROFILE

Different steps undertaken to process the AGRS data are presented pictorially inthe figure. Nearly 15 GB data from approximately 7,00,000 line km of flying is presently available in the data library.Database developmentDatabase development is another major field, the center is mostly engaged in.Beginning with a modest development of a database (LOGIC-D) for borehole logging data and (INDUGEO) for U-occurrences in India, the group is presently involved in collecting, classifying, synthesising and storing data in databases for easy retrieval.The geoscience database on atomic mineral exploration was designed and developed in paradox software at AMD headquarter, Hyderabad. The same was deployed at all regional centers where database is being populated. Works are at hand for design and development of geoscience database in oracle under 3-tier architecture.In addition, a number of utility databases have also been developed for various in-house applications.Local & Wide Area NetworkAMDC presently operates a network of computer comprising a number of network servers with operating systems such as Windows NT, LINUX and AIX. Through ISDN connectivity communication between headquarter and various regions is established. This facility is in use on regular basis for exchange of reports, maps, research papers, and other information between various units of AMD.Web designingAMDC has been entrusted with thetask of design, development, promotion and updating of AMD's website depicting all the activities of AMD. Itis responsible for updating all the information on the site on a regular basis.AnunetData center is actively collaborating in the VSAT based ANUNET project of DAE. ANUNET provides satellite-based communication between all major centers of DAE. It has two data channel and a voice channel. To provide seamless voice connectivity, EPABX exchange of AMD has been configured with ANUNET. AMD library server is also connected to LAN and ANUNET. Data center has provided network and ANUNET connectivity to its server. Users can browse library information for their routine requirements.A video conferencing system has been setup to communicate between various DAE units using VSAT based connectivity. Data encryption technique is being used for secure communication during video-conference.Map digitisation and data integration using GISDigitisation of geological maps and its integration with spatial data has been one of the major works taken up by the data center since 1997. The digitised maps are being used for exploration activities and geo-technical investigations. Nearly fifty maps in various scale have so far been digitized covering large areas of the country. Spatial databases for Geochronological and Geotechnical data have been created and integrated with the geological maps using GIS packages.In the survey and exploration programme of atomic minerals, the role of a laboratory is very vital. Every field geologist requires assistance from various laboratories almost at every stage of his activity right from the beginning of reconnaissance radiometric survey till the deposit is proved. To make the Directorate self-sufficient, various laboratories with state-of-the-art technology have been set up at AMD headquarter and at regional centers. They not only provide useful information to the field units but also design, develop, fabricate and maintain many of the instruments required in the exploration programme.While in each Region there is a Physics, Chemistry and Petrology laboratory, in the Headquarter at Hyderabad, there are other laboratories also often functioning as a Group, viz.Mineralogy-Petrology-Geochronology GroupPetrology LaboratoryX-Ray diffraction laboratoryElectron microprobe laboratoryX-Ray fluorescence laboratorySpectrograph laboratoryGeochronology laboratoryRadiation Standards and Analysis GroupRadiometric assay (Physics) LaboratoryNeutron activation laboratoryInstrumentation GroupChemistry GroupMineral Technology laboratoryDrilling is a key performance indicator of any exploration activity. Drilling for uranium was first started by AMD on contract during 1951 at Jaduguda in Jharkhand soon after discovery of uranium mineralisation there. Subsequently, following discovery of mineralisation in other geological environments, drilling rigs were procured. Although the strength of rigs reached 57 during early nineties, it has reduced to 37 now and additional requirements are met by outsourcing.TillFebruary 2005, AMD has drilled about 1370 km in different terrains to prove uranium resources by departmental drilling. Deepest drilling, down to 1200 meter depth, was done at Jaduguda in Singbhum shear zone, Bihar.There are 49 drilling engineers and 256 technical personals working in different capacities.The drilling rigs available in AMD are of Indian make (LT, Voltas, Rockdrill, Drillmax, Mincore etc.).Apart from uranium exploration, AMD has also taken up drilling in some important national projects on behalf ofBARC,NPCILandNGRI. The organization is competent to undertake drilling operations in various geological environments and difficult field conditions.