Conversion factors for quantitative interpretation of gamma-ray logging and gamma-ray sampling of uranium ores

Abstract

Testing of uranium ores in natural occurrence (boreholes and mine workings) is performed by gamma radiation. It is based on the proportional relationship between the intensity of radiation and the amount of radioactive elements in the ore. The coefficient of proportionality in this case is usually called the conversion coefficient. Since 93-98% of gamma-radiation of equilibrium uranium ore is caused by gamma-radiation of Ra226 and its decay products, the conversion factor is, in fact, the specific (per unit of content) intensity of the equilibrium spectrum of Ra226 registered by the detector at uniform distribution of gamma-emitters in an infinite medium (case of gamma logging) or in a half-space (case of gamma-testing in mine workings).