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Recent Developments of
Uranium Explorationin Jordan
Ned Xoubi, PhD
2008
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Recent Developments ofUranium Exploration in Jordan
Ned Xoubi, PhDCommissioner for Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Jordan Atomic Energy Commission
Director General ofJordan Energy Resources, Inc
IAEA Technical Meeting on Uranium Exploration and Mining Methods
November 17-20, 2008
Amman - Jordan
Invited Talk
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Uranium is a Strategic Resource
Lack of conventional energy resources, Jordan Imports over95% of its energy fuel
Development of secure alternative energy supply is a toppriority for Jordan
Uranium is a strategic resource
Uranium exploitation policy is to maximize sovereignty while
creating value from resource
No Concessions to foreign companies
Assurance of nuclear fuel supply for Jordans Nuclear PowerPlants
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Jordan Energy Resources Inc
Jordan Energy Resources, Inc (JERI) wasfounded for the purposes of exploring, mining
and exploiting uranium resources in Jordan JERI is the commercial arm of JAEC
JERI is a private shareholding company wholly
owned by JAEC
Foreign Investors ?
Joint Ventures with foreign companies interested
in investing and developing Uranium resources inJordan
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1979/1980 Airborne Survey
Gamma intensity of up to 2000 cps
Source: NRASource: NRASource: NRA
12 Areas with high radiationintensity were identified
Mostly related to Areas with
Phosphate rock formations
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Phosphate Mines Locations
Source: NRASource: NRASource: NRA
Source : JPMC
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Potential Areas
Ruwaished
Wadi Bahiyyah
Central Jordan
Northern Jordan
Wadi Sahb Elabiadh
Haranah
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Previous Work
During the 80s and 90s NRA carried out many studies inthese areas
Concentrating on Central Jordan
1700 trenches
15000 car-borne and foot gamma measuring points
11000 emanometry and track-etch radon gas points
Hundreds of boreholes
Thousands of samples were collected and analyzed
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Results & Data
Data available is preliminary
Uranium deposits are mostly
surfacial
Overburden thickness is 0.5 - 3 m
Uranium concentration of 200 2700 ppm
Difficulty in repeating some of themeasurements
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Central Jordan
64880648801.326060Total
1559515.5951.289489469.189.18KZKhan Azzabib
4.851.363716.874
2.3151.312634.83
2.061.233423.5214965
5.741.34
345
405
22.73
7.561
Attarat and W.
Maghar
4.571.494155.264
0.81.424880.823
20.41.2777814.9234320
8.5481.25
592
688
28.1
7.11
Siwaqa
Total EstimatedUranium Ore(U3O8) (tones)
EstimatedUranium Ore
(U3O8) Inventory
(tones)
AverageOre Thick.
meter
Total AverageConc.ppm
AverageConc.ppm
TotalAreakm2
Area
km2Block
Central JordanUranium
Areas
NRA Estimated Uranium Ore (U3O8) Deposit
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Central Jordan
Joint Venture with Areva signedon September 30, 2008
A total area of approximately1400 km (50 km fertile zone)
Detailed exploration program
Bankable feasibility study (BFS)
Uranium production in 2012
2000 tons per year (estimated)
French and Jordanian geologists
are currently working in the area
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Northern Jordan
Includes Housha and Hamra whichare located in Mafraq governant in
northern Jordan Currently under active exploration
An area of approximately 30 Km2
maybe expandable up to 150 Km2
Jordanian/ Chinese Joint workinggroups
Chinese and Jordanian geologistsare currently working in the area
Mafraq
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Northern Jordan
Uranium
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Northern Jordan
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Northern Jordan
0 40 80 120 160
1
2
3
4
0 40 80 120 160
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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Northern Jordan
Categories & Genesis of Uranium Mineralization
Paleo-weathering zone type
weathering-leaching-evaporation(gypsum and calcium nodules )
Fissure type
leaching-evaporation (near the
ground surface, usually no morethan several meters )
Quaternary sediments type
(leaching)-absorption (reduction) -evaporation (near the groundsurface, usually no more thanseveral meters )
Uranium anomaly related tothe Fissures
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Wadi Bahiyyah
Wadi Bahiyyah
Currently under activeexploration
Wide area of approximately1300 Km2
Jordanian/ Chinese Joint
working groups Chinese and Jordanian
geologists are currentlyworking in the area
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Wadi Bahiyyah
URC
MCM
Uranium anomalies (70-140cps)are very common in the upper part of MCM
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Wadi Bahiyyah
Uranium anomaly occurs in themodern weathering zone, just
beneath the concretion
0230958 E
3378343 N
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Wadi Bahiyyah
50-70cm marl, 1500cps
10-50cm loose marl with yellow minerals, up to 1500cps
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Wadi Bahiyyah
0212990 N
3412313 E
Uranium: 300-380cps or 40-50 ppm, in Quaternary sedimentsWidth: more than 150m
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Other Potential Areas
Ruwaished
Wadi Sahb Elabiadh
Other potential Areas including
1. Ruwished
2. Wadi Sahb Elabiadh
Are under negotiations with amajor Uranium company
Joint working groups
Exploration should start soon
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Thank You
Questions ?
More than a dream . It is our Goal
NX