Groundwater helium surveys in mineral exploration in Australia

Abstract

The potential for using groundwater helium surveys in exploration has been evaluated by conducting local and regional surveys in several mineralized and background areas in Australia. Dissolved helium contents decrease markedly upwards, particularly in the top 10–15m, due to degassing in attaining dynamic equilibrium with the atmosphere. Gradients of depth profiles are not uniform but because total concentration variations to 50m or more are commonly less than 10, whereas regional variations are 10³–10⁵, samples from the greatest constant depth possible below water-table are adequate for survey purposes. Helium concentrations in excess of the atmosphere equilibrium value of 0.044 μl He/l H₂O were found to be associated with uranium mineralization at Honeymoon (6.9–44.4 μl/l), Manyingee (0.08–1.68 μl/l), Bennett Well (9.9–29.5 μ/l) and the Stuart Shelf—Roxby Downs (910–2495 μl/l), with a carbonatite at Mt. Weld (0.18–13.6 μl/l), and with kimberlites at Wandagee (0.2–3.25 μl/l). No anomaly was associated with the shallow calcrete uranium deposit at Yeelirrie. However, equivalent or higher concentrations were found in groundwaters from unmineralized areas around these deposits, e.g. up to 85 μl/l at Manyingee—Bennett Well, to 215 μl/l at Yeelirrie and to 1525 μl/l, Stuart Shelf—Mt. Gunson. Similarly, helium in waters from stock wells near Mt. Weld appears to indicate the presence of the carbonatite but in a survey of a geologically similar area near Malcolm, equivalent anomalies were not related to carbonatite.

Although the uranium (and thorium) mineralization is a significant source, high helium concentrations can arise by accumulation in groundwaters with long residence times and by leakage from deep sources, particularly granitoid basement. The concentration reached is also a function of the porosity and configuration of the aquifer and the permeability of the aquiclude to helium. These factors are more important in determining dissolved helium concentrations than the uranium and thorium contents of the rocks. However, the effects are not readily quantifiable, particularly in exploration areas where geology and hydrology are relatively unknown, hence helium groundwater data can be difficult if not impossible to interpret.