scholarly journals Paragenetic and petrographic study of uranium mineralization along the Midwest Trend, Northeastern Athabasca Basin

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Peter Ferguson ◽  
Guoxiang Chi ◽  
Charles Normand ◽  
Patrick Ledru ◽  
Odile Maufrais-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Resource ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Petrographic Study

The Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan is host to many world-class uranium deposits associated with the unconformity between the Paleoproterozoic sandstone of the basin and the underlying crystalline basement (Jefferson et al., 2007).  While the style and tonnage of these deposits vary, the current genetic model for unconformity-related uranium deposits has been a practical tool for exploration in the Athabasca Basin. However, the factors which control the location and formation of these deposits is still not fully understood. A paragenetic and petrographic study of mineralization along the Midwest Trend, located on the northeastern margin of the Athabasca Basin, aims to refine the current model and to address the general problem: What are the factors which control mineralization and non-mineralization? The Midwest Trend will be used as a "modèle réduit" for uranium mineralization, as it displays many features characteristic of unconformity type deposits. The Midwest Trend comprises three mineral leases that encompass two uranium deposits, the Midwest Main and Midwest A (Allen et al., 2017a, b). Mineralization occurs along a NE-trending graphitic structure, and is hosted by the sandstone, at the unconformity, and in much lesser amounts in the underlying basement rocks. Petrographic observations aided by the use of RAMAN spectroscopy and SEM-EDS, have been used to create a paragenetic sequence of mineralization (Fig.1). Future work will focus on fluid inclusion studies using microthermometry, LA-ICP-MS, and mass spectrometry of contained gases. References:Allen, T., Quirt, D., Masset, O. (2017a). Midwest A Uranium Deposit, Midwest Property, Northern Mining District, Saskatchewan, NTS Map Area 741/8: 2017 Mineral Resource Technical Report. AREVA Resources Canada Inc. Internal Report No. 17-CND-33-01. Allen, T., Quirt, D., Masset, O. (2017b). Midwest Main Uranium Deposit, Midwest Property, Northern Mining District, Saskatchewan, NTS Map Area 741/8: 2017 Mineral Resource Technical Report. AREVA Resources Canada Inc. Internal Report No. 17-CND-33-01. Jefferson, C.W., Thomas, D.J., Gandhi, S.S., Ramaekers, P., Delaney, G., Brisbin, D., Cutts, C., Portella, P., and Olson, R.A., 2007: Unconformity-associated uranium deposits of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 588, p. 23–67.

Geological environment of the Cigar Lake uranium deposit

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bruneton
Keyword(s):  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Metamorphic Basement ◽  
Basement Ridge ◽  
Archean Basement ◽  
East West

The Cigar Lake uranium deposit occurs within the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Like other major uranium deposits of the basin, it is located at the unconformity separating Helikian sandstones of the Athabasca Group from Aphebian metasediments and plutonic rocks of the Wollaston Group. The Athabasca Group was deposited in an intra-continental sedimentary basin that was filled by fluviatile terrestrial quartz sandstones and conglomerates. The group appears undeformed and its actual maximum thickness is about 1500 m. On the eastern side of the basin, the detrital units correspond to the Manitou Falls Formations where most of the uranium deposits are located. The Lower Pelitic unit of the Wollaston Group, which lies directly on the Archean basement, is considered to be the most favourable horizon for uranium mineralization. During the Hudsonian orogeny (1800–1900 Ma), the group underwent polyphase deformation and upper amphibolite facies metamorphism. The Hudsonian orogeny was followed by a long period of erosion and weathering and the development of a paleoweathering profile.On the Waterbury Lake property, the Manitou Falls Formation is 250–500 m thick and corresponds to units MFd, MFc, and MFb. The conglomeratic MFb unit hosts the Cigar Lake deposit. However, the basal conglomerate is absent at the deposit, wedging out against an east–west, 20 m high, pre-Athabasca basement ridge, on top of which is located the orebody.Two major lithostructural domains are present in the metamorphic basement of the property: (1) a southern area composed mainly of pelitic metasediments (Wollaston Domain) and (2) a northern area with large lensoid granitic domes (Mudjatik Domain). The Cigar Lake east–west pelitic basin, which contains the deposit, is located in the transitional zone between the two domains. The metamorphic basement rocks in the basin consist mainly of graphitic metapelitic gneisses and calcsilicate gneisses, which are inferred to be part of the Lower Pelitic unit. Graphite- and pyrite-rich "augen gneisses," an unusual facies within the graphitic metapelitic gneisses, occur primarily below the Cigar Lake orebody.The mineralogy and geochemistry of the graphitic metapelitic gneisses suggest that they were originally shales. The abundance of magnesium in the intercalated carbonates layers indicates an evaporitic origin.The structural framework is dominated by large northeast–southwest lineaments and wide east–west mylonitic corridors. These mylonites, which contain the augen gneisses, are considered to be the most favourable features for the concentration of uranium mineralization.Despite the presence of the orebody, large areas of the Waterbury Lake property remain totally unexplored and open for new discoveries.

Geology, Structural Analysis, and Paragenesis of the Arrow Uranium Deposit, Western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada: Implications for the Development of the Patterson Lake Corridor

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Hillacre ◽  
Kevin Ansdell ◽  
Brian McEwan
Keyword(s):  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
White Mica ◽  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Quartz Veins

Abstract Recent significant discoveries of uranium mineralization in the southwestern Athabasca basin, northern Saskatchewan, Canada, have been associated with a series of geophysical conductors along a NE- to SW-trending structural zone, termed the Patterson Lake corridor. The Arrow deposit (indicated mineral resource: 256.6 Mlb U3O8; grade 4.03% U3O8) is along this trend, hosted exclusively in basement orthogneisses of the Taltson domain, and is the largest undeveloped uranium deposit in the basin. This study is the first detailed analysis of a deposit along this corridor and examines the relationships between the ductile framework and brittle reactivation of structures, mineral paragenesis, and uranium mineralization. Paragenetic information from hundreds of drill core samples and thin sections was integrated with structural analysis utilizing over 18,000 measurements of various structural features. The structural system at Arrow is interpreted as a partitioned, strike-slip–dominated, brittle-ductile fault system of complex Riedel-style geometry. The system developed along subvertical, NE- to SW-trending dextral high-strain zones formed syn- to post-D3 deformation, which were the focus of extensive premineralization metasomatism (quartz flooding, sericitization, chloritization), within the limb domain of a regional-scale fold structure. These zones evolved through post-Athabasca dextral and sinistral reactivation events, creating brittle fault linkages and dilation zones, allowing for hydrothermal fluid migration and resulting uraninite precipitation and associated alteration (white mica, chlorite, kaolinite, hematite, quartz veins). This study of the structural context of Arrow is important as it emphasizes that protracted reactivation of deep-seated structures and their subsidiaries was a fundamental control on uranium mineralization in the southwestern Athabasca basin.

Structural evolution and related implications for uranium mineralization in the Patterson Lake corridor, southwestern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

2020 ◽  
pp. geochem2020-030
Author(s):  
Dillon Johnstone ◽  
Kathryn Bethune ◽  
Colin Card ◽  
Victoria Tschirhart
Keyword(s):  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Transfer Faults ◽  
Dextral Strike Slip

The Patterson Lake corridor is situated along the southwest margin of the Athabasca Basin and contains several basement-hosted uranium deposits and prospects. Drill core investigations during this study have determined that granite, granodiorite, mafic and alkali intrusive basement rocks are entrained in a deep-seated northeast-striking subvertical heterogeneous high-strain zone defined by anastomosing ductile to semi-brittle shears and brittle faults. The earliest phases of ductile deformation (D1/2), linked with Taltson (1.94–1.92 Ga) orogenesis, involved interference between early fold sets (F1/2) and development of an associated ductile transposition foliation (S1/2). During subsequent Snowbird (ca. 1.91–1.90 Ga) tectonism, this composite foliation was re-folded (D3) by northeast-trending buckle-style folds (F3), including a regional fold centered on the Clearwater aeromagnetic high. In continuum with D3, a network of dextral-reverse chloritic-graphitic shears, with C-S geometry, formed initially (D4a) and progressed to more discrete, spaced semi-brittle structures (D4b; ca. 1.900–1.819 Ga). Basin development (D5a; <ca. 1.819 Ga) was marked by a set of north-striking normal faults and related east- and northeast-striking transfer faults that accommodated subsidence. Primary uranium mineralization (D5b; ∼1.45 Ga) was facilitated by brittle reactivation of northeast-striking basement shears in response to west-southwest - east-northeast-directed compressional stress (σ1). Uraninite was emplaced along σ1-parallel extension fractures and dilational zones formed at linkages between northeast- and east-northeast-striking dextral strike-slip faults. Uranium remobilization (D5c) occurred after σ1 shifted to west-northwest – east-southeast, giving rise to regional east- and southeast-striking conjugate faults, along which mafic dykes (1.27 Ga and 1.16 Ga) intruded.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Uranium Fluid Pathways collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/uranium-fluid-pathways

Mineralogy, geochronology, and genesis of the Andrew Lake uranium deposit, Thelon Basin, Nunavut, Canada

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 850-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandi M. Shabaga ◽  
Mostafa Fayek ◽  
David Quirt ◽  
Charlie W. Jefferson ◽  
Alfredo Camacho
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Model ◽  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Thelon Basin ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Alteration Minerals ◽  
Fluid Event

The Thelon Basin located in Nunavut, Canada, shares many similarities with the U-producing Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. The Kiggavik project area, located near the northeastern edge of the Thelon Basin, contains U deposits and showings along the ∼30 km long NE–SW Kiggavik – Andrew Lake structural trend. The Andrew Lake deposit is near the southern end of this trend. Pre-mineralization is characterized by quartz ± carbonate veins that occupy fault systems later reactivated as conduits for U-mineralizing fluids. A four-phase genetic model is proposed for the Andrew Lake deposit. Phase 1 comprises vein-style uraninite (U1; 1031 ± 23 Ma) that is associated with illite and hematite, and contains variable PbO contents (0.2–9.5 wt.%). Phase 2 is characterized by altered uraninite (U2; ∼530 Ma) that is associated with coffinite. Altered uraninite (U3; <1 Ma) characterizes phase 3 and occurs as centimetre-scale “roll-fronts”. In phase 4, all three uraninite stages, and coffinite, are altered to boltwoodite. Although the oldest uraninite U–Pb age is ∼1030 Ma, illite associated with the U mineralization gives 40Ar/39Ar ages of 941 ± 31 and 1330 ± 36 Ma. The younger age is similar to the age for U1, suggesting that there was a fluid event that either precipitated U1 or reset the U–Pb isotopic system at ∼1000 Ma. While the older age for illite (1330 Ma) does not correlate with Andrew Lake U–Pb uraninite ages, it does correlate with ages previously reported for uraninite and clay alteration minerals in the Kiggavik area.

Ore characteristics of the sandstone-type Daying uranium deposit in the Ordos Basin, northwestern China

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 893-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjian Dai ◽  
Yunbiao Peng ◽  
Chenjun Wu ◽  
Yangquan Jiao ◽  
Lu Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Ordos Basin ◽  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
The Ordos Basin ◽  
Thin Section Analysis ◽  
Oil Gas ◽  
Section Analysis

The Ordos Basin is one of the top oil-, gas-, and coal-producing basins in China and is increasingly recognized as an important uranium mineralization province. Uranium deposits occur near the margin of the basin and are mainly hosted in the sandstones of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation. The Daying uranium deposit in the Ordos Basin is one of the most important large sandstone-type uranium deposits in China. Based on thin section analysis and electron microprobe measurements, we used analytical chemical data to study the characteristics of the Daying uranium deposit, including the type, structure, particle size, material composition, chemical composition, form, and valence state of the uranium. The uranium mainly exists in three forms: an absorbed form, independent minerals, and uranium-bearing minerals. Most of the uranium in the ore is U4+, and the proportion of U6+ ranges from 18% to 55%, with an average of 33%. The proportion of U6+ is relatively high in the cores containing low-grade ore. This study provides a reference for determining the best smelting technology with which to further develop this deposit.

Mineralogy and U/Pb, Pb/Pb, and Sm/Nd geochronology of the Key Lake uranium deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 879-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Carl ◽  
E. von Pechmann ◽  
A. Höhndorf ◽  
G. Ruhrmann
Keyword(s):  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Radiometric Dating ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Isotopic Data ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
The Past ◽  
Preparation Techniques

The Key Lake deposit is one of several large, high-grade, unconformity-related uranium deposits located at the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The deposit consists of the Gaertner orebody, now mined out, and the Deilmann orebody, which is presently being mined. In the past, radiometric dating efforts yielded an age of oldest ore-forming event of 1250 ± 34 Ma at the Gaertner orebody and 1350 ± 4 Ma at the Deilmann orebody. This unlikely age difference called for further investigation. Innovative preparation techniques were used to separate the paragenetically oldest U mineral, an anisotropic uraninite. Ore microscopy and U/Pb isotopic data show that the oldest event of uranium emplacement occurred simultaneously at the two orebodies, at 1421 ± 49 Ma. The primary ore-forming phase was followed by younger generations of U mineralization and periods of remobilization. Sm/Nd data of Key Lake uraninite form an isochron corresponding to an age of 1215 Ma. This is interpreted as the age of a uranium remobilization or a new mineralizing event. The lead found in the Athabasca Group above the Deilmann deposit and in galena appears to be a mixture of a common lead and radiogenic lead mobilized from the orebody over a time span of at least 1000 Ma.

scholarly journals Geological, Geochemical, and Radiometric Study of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit Exploration in Menukung Area, West Borneo

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Wira Cakrabuana ◽  
◽  
Ekky Novia Stasia Argianto ◽  
Roni Cahya Ciputra ◽  
Dhatu Kamajati
Keyword(s):  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Uranium Content ◽  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Coal Seams ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Uranium Exploration ◽  
Radiometric Data

BATAN has been carried out uranium exploration in West Borneo since 1969. So far, the exploration is focused on metamorphite-type uranium deposits in Kalan Area. The previous study concluded that mineralized uranium is originated from Sepauk Tonalite consisted of felsic-intermediate igneous rocks, and is hosted in medium-grade foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks of Pinoh Metamorphite. As uranium exploration develops, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) introduces the sandstone-type uranium mineralization concept that offers a more cost-effective mining process. The Melawi Basin becomes an attractive probable location for sandstone-type uranium deposit exploration since it is situated downstream of Schwaner Mountain's Sepauk Tonalite. The sandstone-dominated Tebidah Formation of Melawi Basin can be the host rock for sandstone-type uranium deposit if there is a reduction zone to trap the mobile uranium in the groundwater. The geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and radiometric survey were conducted in Menukung Area to prove the hypothesis. It is located in the eastern part of the Tebidah Formation, which contains abundant carbonaceous mudstones associated with coal seams. Mobile uranium content analysis showed the anomaly of 36–60 ppm at the central of Tebidah Formation at the study area, while radiometric data denoted the anomaly of 6.5–11.3 ppm eU. At those locations, coal and carbonaceous sandstone were observed. Those data indicate the presence of a reductive environment that gives the advantage to uranium trapping. It can be concluded that there is a possibility of the occurrence of sandstone-type uranium mineralization in the Menukung Area.

The age of unconformity-related uranium mineralization in the Athabasca Basin, northern Saskatchewan

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1623-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Cumming ◽  
D. Krstic
Keyword(s):  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Major Exception ◽  
Vein Deposits ◽  
Eagle Point ◽  
The One ◽  
Almost All

Age data are presented for major Athabasca Basin uranium deposits at Cigar Lake, Cluff Lake, Collins Bay, Dawn Lake, Eagle Point, McArthur River, Midwest, and Rabbit Lake, as well as for several minor or undeveloped deposits, including Hughes Lake and Nisto. The best constrained data indicate that almost all the deposits formed in a restricted time interval between about 1330 and 1380 Ma. This range of ages is believed to be real and not the result of uncertainties in the calculation of ages based on discordant data. The one major exception is the recently discovered NiAs-free deposit at McArthur River, for which a well-determined age of 1514 ± 18 Ma (2σ) has been obtained. Even this deposit yields an age in the1330–1380 Ma range for some material. Periods of reworking–redeposition occurred at ~1280, ~1000, ~575, and ~225 Ma. These may be basin-wide, affecting to some degree all the deposits that we have studied. Other times of redeposition are less well determined, but may be present as well. No ages that approach the ~1700 Ma age of the Athabasca Group have been found to date for unconformity-related deposits, and the Athabasca Basin mineralization is unrelated to the ~1750 Ma pitchblende vein deposits in the Beaverlodge Lake area.

Stable isotope constraints on the role of graphite in the genesis of unconformity-type uranium deposits

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. Kyser ◽  
M. R. Wilson ◽  
G. Ruhrmann
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Athabasca Basin ◽  
Ore Zones

The Key Lake unconformity-type uranium deposit occurs in a shear zone where it intersects the unconformity between Archean and Aphebian gneisses and the overlying Proterozoic Athabasca Group sandstones. The roots of the Key Lake and many other unconformity-type uranium deposits in the Athabasca basin are close to gneisses rich in graphite and most deposits have small amounts of carbonaceous materials (bitumen and hydrocarbon buttons) within and around altered basement and sandstone ore zones. In many Athabasca uranium deposits, hydrothermal fluids have destroyed graphite disseminated in the strongly altered gneisses in the vicinity of the deposits, prompting some to suggest that graphite was converted to CH4, which reduced and precipitated the uranium and partially condensed to form bitumen. The δ13C values of graphite collected from unaltered and altered gneisses around the Key Lake deposit have a limited range (−25 ± 5) and are not a function of distance from the mineralization or the intensity of alteration or deformation. The uniformity of these δ13C values suggests that the destruction of graphite was due predominantly to oxidation by basinal fluids from the sandstone and that the graphite near the deposits did not react to form substantial amounts of 12C-rich phases such as CH4. Most of the bitumen samples, which have higher H/C ratios than the graphite, have δ13C values identical to those of the graphite (−25 ± 5). The similarity in the isotopic compositions of carbon in the bitumen and in the graphite indicates that the bitumen formed from degradation of graphite as a result of reactions with no significant isotopic fractionations, such as ones involving radiolysis of graphite. The hydrocarbon buttons and a few samples of bitumen have petrographic relations and 13C/12C ratios (δ13C values less than −30) that are indicative of reduction of graphite by H2 produced from water by radiolysis. Graphite in these deposits did not play a central role as a reducing agent for uranium, rather it represents a critical structural factor by providing shear zones along which fluid flow can be focussed.

scholarly journals Origin and Role of Kaolinization in Roll-Front Uranium Deposits and Its Response to Ore-Forming Fluids in the Yili Basin, China

Geofluids ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Y. Liu ◽  
S. P. Peng ◽  
M. K. Qin ◽  
H. X. Liu ◽  
Y. Y. Geng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Uranium Deposit ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Uranium Mineralization ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Clastic Rocks ◽  
Homogenization Temperatures

Kaolinite is a common mineral found in most Chinese sandstone-hosted uranium deposits. It occurs particularly in coal-bearing clastic rocks in northwest China, such as the uranium deposits in the Yili Basin, which is well known for hosting several large-scale roll-front uranium deposits. Previous studies have provided limited information on the origin of kaolinization and its role in the uranium mineralization. This study uses gas hydrocarbon, fluid inclusions, O and H isotope analysis, and scanning electron microscopy observations to investigate the formation of kaolinite in ore-hosting rocks from the Mengqiguer uranium deposit in the southern margin of the Yili Basin and to determine its role in the uranium mineralization. Results suggest that kaolinization is intense in the coal- and ore-bearing clastic rocks and that it is related to leaching of feldspar by acidic fluids. Vermicular kaolinite was formed by hydrocarbon-bearing fluid generated from coal and carbonaceous mudstone during a shallow-burial diagenetic stage at low homogenization temperatures ranging from 69 to 78°C and at relatively high salinities of 7.6−11.0 wt%  NaCleq. Consequently, silicate minerals (such as feldspar) were leached and created secondary pores that hosted the subsequently formed uranium minerals. In contrast, micritic kaolinite was formed by infiltration of meteoric fluid enriched in U and O2 at low homogenization temperatures of 51−63°C and low salinities of 1.2−3.7 wt%  NaCleq. U6+ was sorbed by the micritic kaolinite through cation exchange, forming a U-bearing kaolinite complex; it was also reduced by pyrite and carbon detrital, thereby precipitating at the acidic oxidation front. The results of this study confirm that intense kaolinization is closely related to uranium mineralization in coal-bearing clastic rocks.

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