Streamlines Based Stochastic Methods and Reactive Transport Simulation Applied to Resource Estimation of Roll-Front Uranium Deposits Exploited by In-Situ Leaching

Roll-front uranium deposits are ore mineralizations that occur in sandstones or arkoses downstream from redox fronts reduced/oxidized geochemical barriers. They often bounded above and below by impermeable shaly/muddy layers making them ideal for in-situ leaching exploitation. Several stochastic simulations were previously investigated either to characterize the grade distribution within roll-front type deposits, describing geological processes involved their formation. This work suggests some modifications/improvements of conventional geostatistical algorithms honoring hydrodynamic constraints govern fluid flows bearing layers. In particular, instead using classical Euclidian curvilinear (for Sgrid) distance computing variogram, it is proposed calculate variogram accounting time flight (TOF) water particles down streamlines together with available well data. Non-deterministic streamline-based methods seem provide more accurate interpolation results resource estimation compared a traditional approach when applied deposits.