To aid in geological exploration.

To aid in geological exploration.

Similarities between the Athabasca and Cariewerloo Basins were first proposed by PIRSA geologists in the 1990s. Subsequently, the uranium potential of the Cariewerloo Basin has been heavily promoted by PIRSA. Both are intracratonic basins...

Similarities between the Athabasca and Cariewerloo Basins were first proposed by PIRSA geologists in the 1990s. Subsequently, the uranium potential of the Cariewerloo Basin has been heavily promoted by PIRSA. Both are intracratonic basins containing Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic, unmetamorphosed and largely undeformed, quartz-dominated, fluvial sedimentary rocks. In addition, both basins unconformably overlie deformed and metamorphosed Palaeoproterozoic and Archaean basement including metasedimentary rocks, such as graphitic schists, and granitoid rocks. Reactivated basement structures that propagate into the basin sediments are also common. Moreover, basement rocks under both basins contain elevated uranium concentrations.
More recent visits by PIRSA geologists to Saskatchewan have further delineated the similarities, leading to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) being signed in early 2009 between the Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA), for PIRSA, and the Saskatchewan [Provincial] Geological Survey, for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, Canada. This MoU has resulted in substantial benefits for both parties, throughout the technical phase of this collaboration. Secondments of GSSA and Saskatchewan Geological Survey staff have enabled specialist expertise and knowledge exchange to be utilised in both jurisdictions. Examples of this include the development of 3D basement models of the Athabasca Basin, geophysical modelling of the basement underlying the Athabasca Basin, and the development of lithostratigraphic logging capabilities within the GSSA.
The subject Cariewerloo Basin Data Package represents the technical component of collaborative work undertaken by both parties. It includes the following processed image product digital datasets:
- detailed lithostratigraphic logs of stored samples from 13 drillholes; 
- petrophysical data and accompanying handheld Niton® XL3t instrumental XRF analyses for each drillhole; 
- 3D geological modelling of the internal stratigraphy of the Pandurra Formation, including its top and base geometry, and effects of the associated fault network [where the 3D model has been built in GOCAD and presented as a 3D pdf ]; 
- HyLogger-2 TM or, where available HyLogger-3TM, summary diagrams and downhole mineralogy plots represented in 3D; 
- 3D modelling of the mineralogy determined by HyLogger data; 
- geochemical assay data for selected pathfinder elements; 
- basement models and multi-scale edges (worms) produced from the reduced-to-pole TMI data; 
- an interpretation of AEM survey data flown over the Cariewerloo Basin during June 2010, including GA's layered earth inversion models and subsequent geological models; and
- accompanying literature.
Note: these models are presented as a 'proof of concept' only and their accuracy (spatial or otherwise) should not be relied upon for exploration or other decision making processes.

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