Saturation of groundwaters with respect to minerals of the host rocks

Calculations of the saturation of groundwaters with respect to minerals of the rocks hosting these waters indicate that most of the analyzed groundwaters were saturates with respect to calcite, dolomite, and quartz. Brines of chloride-calcic composition were determined to be saturated with respect to calcite, whereas brines of chloride-sodic composition are saturated with respect to dolomite and quartz. The solution was simultaneously saturated with respect to six minerals for the association ankerite-calcite-dolomite-pyrite-quartz-strontianite. An increase in the number of minerals with respect to which solution is saturated is correlated with an increase in the diversity of types of groundwaters and an increase in the runoff rate. The paper proposes possible avenues for searches for relations between hydrogeological and geochemical parameters that make it possible to adapt the thermodynamic models to real geological-hydrogeological conditions. The research was centered on the testing of groundwaters for their saturation with respect to minerals of the rocks hosting these waters. This parameter plays a significant part in forming the geochemical type of natural waters because it reflects the crystallization of a mineral from a solution and, consequently, the removal of an element from the aqueous solution.     

Hydrogeochemical exploration for uranium within the Athabasca Basin, northern Saskatchewan

As part of our exploration programs for unconformity-related uranium deposits, we have studied the chemistry of deep ground waters from throughout the Athabasca Basin. Samples have been collected from routine, small-diameter, exploration diamond drillholes, and we have placed considerable emphasis on ensuring that they represent true ground waters.We have measured both major and minor constituents, including various uranium daughter products. Ground-water samples collected from the vicinity of uranium mineralization have consistently high levels of uranium, radium, radon and helium. Although we have not been able to establish the maximum extent of the hydrogeochemical anomalies in this environment, we have detected anomalies at distances of up to tens of meters from known mineralization.     

The use of helium in mineral exploration

A literature review of the source and occurrence of helium shows that it can, under favorable conditions, lead to the discovery of radioactive ore deposits, oil and gas pools, and fracture zones associated with mineral occurrences. Analytical results show that anomalous helium is present in groundwaters and near uranium occurrences and thus can aid in the identification of uranium occurrences or prospective target areas for uranium exploration.     

二连盆地哈达图铀矿床综合物化探特征及找矿意义

二连盆地哈达图铀矿床是我国大型可地浸砂岩型铀矿床,矿体埋深大、品位富,研究其地电化学等综合物化探特征,可为建立覆盖区航放异常有效查证技术方法提供依据.基于矿床地质及航磁航放特征的分析,开展组合物化探方法测量及特征分析.研究表明:哈达图铀矿床位于受断裂构造控制的北东向、北北东向中等磁场区及中等-弱磁场的梯度带;航空及地面...     

安徽庐江砖桥科学深钻内的铀钍赋存状态研究

2012年深部探测项目SinoProbe-03-06在安徽省庐江县砖桥地区实施了2012 m科学深钻,在钻孔深部正长岩中发现铀钍异常,局部已达工业边界品位。系统的岩芯观测、显微镜下研究以及电子探针分析揭示,铀钍的赋存状态主要有2种：一种呈铀钍的独立矿物如铀钛矿、铀钍石、晶质铀矿形式存在;另一种以类质同象形式赋存于锆石、磷灰石、金红石等副矿物中。独立铀钍矿物主要呈2种形式产出：一种呈自形赋存于钠长石中,常与锆石在空间上伴生;另一种主要呈微细颗粒散布于金红石、磷灰石、硬石膏等热液蚀变矿物中。与铀钍矿化相关的蚀变主要有钠长石化、电气石化、硬石膏化等高温热液蚀变。砖桥深钻距庐枞盆地南缘铀矿床（点）不远,且均与正长岩有关,虽然两者的铀钍矿化、铀钍比值、赋存状态、蚀变矿化等一系列特征均存在差异,但两者之间可能存在成因联系,科学深钻所揭示出的铀钍矿化可能代表了铀钍在盆地深部岩体中的高温成矿样式。     

新疆伊犁盆地砂岩型铀矿床层间氧化带中粘土矿物特征及与铀矿化关系研究

新疆伊犁盆地砂岩型铀矿床,由于规模大、成矿环境和成矿条件好,在同类型矿床中具有良好的代表性,研究矿床的成矿作用对今后找矿勘查以及开采具有重要理论意义。本文在区域赋铀层位沉积环境研究基础上,以赋矿围岩为研究主体,对伊犁盆地典型铀矿床沉积序列和矿床的控矿层位开展研究,通过对赋矿沉积层位中粘土质对铀矿成矿的控制作用及与铀矿的空间联系和成因分析,开展系统的铀矿床学、能谱测试、显微结构、扫描电镜、地球化学、氢氧同位素等研究,特别是开展了富矿砂体中粘土矿物的种类、成分、结构、同位素、成因等的研究,对粘土质矿物对铀矿成矿的控制作用进行了系统研究。通过研究粘土矿物在伊犁盆地蒙其古尔砂岩型铀矿床成矿过程中的作用及与铀矿的空间联系和成因分析表明:粘土矿物在层间氧化带中分布较为广泛,在主要矿体的氧化还原过渡带中,尤其是部分具有强烈粘土蚀变的砂岩层中铀含量较其他层位要高,反映出粘土矿物与铀成矿是有成因关联的。通过系统的扫描电镜、能谱测试研究,从微观证明粘土矿物与铀成矿有相关关系;粘土矿物的存在导致在近地表含氧含铀水在经过砂岩孔隙时被具有较强吸附能力和巨大表面自由能的粘土矿物所吸附,形成了铀含量较高的片状,团块状的粘土矿物,其在铀成矿作用中起到了吸附和界面的作用,有利于赋矿空间的形成及定位。结合沉积作用、构造活动和后期流体成矿作用等因素,分析了成矿机制和成矿作用,赋矿层位中的粘土矿物、其它成矿条件如岩性(赋矿层和矿源层)、构造(对铀矿化的动力和对地下水径流及铀矿体)等共同控制了铀成矿作用。     

内蒙古二连盆地砂岩型铀矿深穿透地球化学扫面技术的应用

铀矿资源的勘查一直是全球矿业领域的一个重点和热点,砂岩型铀矿是我国铀矿勘查的主要矿床类型。砂岩型铀矿在我国主要分布在盆地当中,矿体埋藏较深,找矿难度较大。本文通过深穿透地球化学扫面技术在二连盆地开展砂岩型铀矿的试验,主要得出以下结论:(1)通过土壤微细粒分离技术分离土壤样品,可以实现对富含活动性铀的粘土矿物进行物理富集,方法简单高效;(2)地表铀地球化学异常的发现反映的是活动性铀迁移扩散的结果,即深部铀矿(化)体产生的易溶于水的铀酰阳离子,在地下水及蒸发蒸腾作用下通过垂向迁移至地表,而通过地表径流等水平运移形成了大面积的地表铀异常;(3)利用能捕捉来自深部铀矿(化)体发出的直接找矿信息的土壤微细粒分离技术能有效圈定盆地内砂岩型铀矿在地表引起的地球化学异常,可在盆地内快速有效地开展砂岩型铀矿地球化学扫面工作。     

Water contamination downstream from a copper mine in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania

This paper presents the results of a study on stream and mine waters in the area of the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains (western Romania), the Rosia Poieni ore deposit. The research was focused on two aspects of environmental impact: (1) evaluation of the release of toxic elements into the environment through studying the mineralogical and chemical composition of the ore deposit; and (2) assessment of the distribution and extent of contamination through studying the chemistry of stream waters. This work proved that the Rosia Poieni mine is an active acid-rock drainage (ARD)-producing site. Waters draining freely from the ore deposit are acidic and transport large amounts of toxic elements (Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, Sr, etc.). The weathering of silicate and ore minerals represents an important source of elements. Their release was determined by speciation calculations using an EQ3/6 computer program.     

Uranium transport in the Walker River Basin,California and Nevada

During the summer of 1976 waters from tributaries, rivers, springs and wells were sampled in the Walker River Basin. Snow and sediments from selected sites were also sampled. All samples were analyzed for uranium and other elements. The resulting data provide an understanding of the transport of uranium within a closed hydrologic basin as well as providing a basis for the design of geochemical reconnaissance studies for the Basin and Range Province of the Western United States.Spring and tributary data are useful in locating areas containing anomalous concentrations of uranium. However, agricultural practices obscure the presence of known uranium deposits and render impossible the detection of other known deposits.Uranium is extremely mobile in stream waters and does not appear to sorb or precipitate. Uranium has a long residence time (2500 years) in the open waters of Walker Lake; however, once it crosses the sediment-water interface, it is reduced to the U(IV) state and is lost from solution.Over the past two million years the amount of uranium transported to the terminal point of the Walker River system may have been on the order of 4 × 10⁸kg. This suggests that closed basin termini are sites for significant uranium accumulations and are, therefore, potential sites of uranium ore deposits.     

Deposits of the Hiagda Uranium Ore Field,Buryatia: Formation Conditions and Ore Control Factors

The paper concerns the geological–structural conditions of ore localization, mineralogy and chemistry of ore, and geochemical features of the ore-bearing medium at exogenic–epigenetic paleovalley deposits of the Hiagda ore field. The general localization regularities and ore control factors of uranium mineralization can be used for mining, exploration, and refining the prospecting criteria and indications of this type of deposits.     

层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿地电化学异常形成机理及其找矿意义

层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿是我国主要的砂岩型铀矿类型之一,属全盲矿,找矿难度大。地电化学方法作为深穿透地球化学方法的分支之一,为隐伏铀矿勘查提供了新的技术手段,并在实际找矿中取得了明显的效果。研究表明,在隐伏砂岩型铀矿上方,存在着地电化学提取U元素异常。总结和分析了层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿形成的物理化学条件以及在实际试验中发现的铀矿上方地电提取铀异常特征,在前人提出的元素由深部向地表迁移机制的基础上,进一步归纳了砂岩型铀矿地电化学异常的形成机理。层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿上方地电提取U元素主要呈现为跳跃的锯齿状高值异常,可以作为深部铀矿找矿的指示标志。     

相山铀矿田磷灰石与富矿形成的关系

本文系统研究了相山火山热液型铀矿田磷灰石与富铀矿床形成之间的关系。研究表明：该区富矿石中铀含量与五氧化二磷含量呈正相关关系;电子探针揭示富铀矿体中铀矿物周围有大量磷灰石存在,磷灰石在富铀矿石中以两种形式产出：一种是结晶自纯的晶体磷灰石;另一种是胶体磷灰石,后者与铀矿化关系密切。笔者在调研了磷、铀地球化学性质相似性及磷灰石沉淀的物理化学条件的基础上提出：胶体共沉淀是导致本区富铀矿形成的主要原因。     

Paleovalley-related uranium deposits in Australia and China: A review of geological and exploration models and methods

The features and similarities in the geology of paleovalley-related uranium mineralizing systems in Australia and China can be used to refine strategies for exploration. Paleovalley-related uranium resources include sandstone-, lignite- and calcrete-style deposits that are developed within the host sediments deposited in paleovalleys. The paleovalleys incise either crystalline bedrock or older sedimentary rocks, and uranium was deposited and concentrated by the influx of oxidized/reduced groundwaters flowing in aquifers within the paleovalley fill. The critical features of paleovalley-related uranium deposits include sediment and uranium sources, geological setting, depositional environment, age and relative timing of mineralization, aquifer characteristics, availability and distribution of reductants, and preservation potential of the uranium mineral system. This set of information provides a basis to establish the uranium mineralization model, which can then be used to assist with generating targets for uranium exploration and prospectivity analysis of a region. With respect to Sino-Australian examples, paleovalley-related uranium deposits form mostly around the margins of sedimentary basins and the mineralization is commonly hosted within channel fills contained within paleovalleys developed upon, or proximal to, Precambrian crystalline rocks that contain primary uranium sources. The deposits that have been well studied show remarkably similar factors that controlled the formation of paleovalley-related uranium deposits. Basement/bedrocks with above-background (2.8 ppm U) levels of uranium (10–100 ppm) that are linked to, and/or, incised by paleovalleys are associated with these deposits and are the inferred source of the uranium. In these regions, extensive fluvial systems developed particularly during Mesozoic and Cenozoic times, uranium from the bedrock was first dispersed into the sediments, and then concentrated to form deposits through successive chemical remobilization, precipitation and concentration. The deposits formed in continental or marginal marine environments, and commonly are associated with reduced lithologies, containing pyrite and dispersed organic matter and/or seams of lignite, or show evidence of infiltrated hydrocarbons. The mineralization is developed where oxidizing fluids (carrying dissolved U) reacted with reductants in the sediments. Geological, geophysical and geochemical features of the paleovalleys and related uranium deposits are used to construct models to understand host sediment distribution, fluid flow and ore genesis that can assist exploration for paleovalley-hosted uranium deposits. Precise geometric definition of the basin margin and paleovalley architecture is important in identifying exploration targets and improving the effectiveness of drilling. Refinements in remote sensing, geophysical and data processing techniques, in combination with sedimentological and depositional interpretations, provide an efficient approach for outlining the principal drainage patterns and channel dimensions. To help reduce risk, an exploration strategy should combine these technologies with a detailed understanding of the physicochemical parameters controlling uranium mobilization, precipitation and preservation.     

有机质-铀矿床中铀产出形式的电子探针研究

在富含有机质的油矿石中,铀的产出形式往往不易查清。笔者以电子探针显微分析技术为主要研究手段,辅以放射性照相、X射线粉晶分析及其它的物理、光学和化学等测试方法,对我国南方5个重要的(含)有机质铀矿床进行研究,确定了各矿床原生工业铀矿物的存在及其产出特征,进一步查明了各矿床中铀的赋存状态。在本文研究的所有矿床的富含有机质铀矿石标本中,电子探针均查出有原生铀矿物沥青铀矿和铀石存在。在各矿床中,细小铀矿物多成集合体分布在有机质条带内或以不规则浸染状产于煤岩中,也有的铀矿物呈胶结物形式产出。此外,还见有铀矿物同黄铁矿或白硒铁矿(FeSe_2)一起充填于古植物细胞腔内的现象。     

地电提取测量法在水泄地区的实验及应用

塌化学提取测量法是应生产需要而发展起来的一种轻便，快捷的寻找隐伏矿床的方法，对于探测隐伏的矿体有其优势，是地电化学勘探方法的一种，在水泄地区进行实验研究，取得较好的效果，并在未知矿区圈定了规划区，为进一步的探矿打下了基础。     

Geometallurgy of Australian uranium deposits

Australian uranium ores are often composed of complex mineral assemblages. Differences in ore compositions and textures are seen between deposits as well as within a single deposit, which can host a range of ore types. Such a wide variety of uranium ores make it impossible for a single extraction or treatment process to be developed that will accommodate all of the ores. From a mineralogical perspective, key issues confronting the Australian uranium mining industry include: the prevalence of low grade ores; a lack of detailed chemical and mineralogical information (uranium speciation, texture, grainsize) for the various ore deposit types; and the presence of refractory uranium-bearing minerals and highly acid-consuming gangue minerals. This paper reviews some of the main controls on uranium geometallurgy by linking concepts relating to ore genesis and the resulting ore mineralogy, with the processing behaviour of specific Australian uranium ore types. Emphasis is placed on the value of detailed ore mineralogical analysis and the insight this provides into the factors of importance when considering uranium extraction.     

激发极化法在新疆奥尔托喀讷什一带锰矿区的找矿效果

虽然传统物探方法在大多数金属矿产勘查中都取得了良好的效果,但在锰矿勘查中的应用却相对较少,这主要是由于锰矿与其围岩的地球物理性质和化学性质差异较小,加大了锰矿的勘探难度,尤其是埋深较大、后期改造强烈的一些锰矿床,勘探难度更大,导致进行直接找矿效果并不显著。笔者近几年主要在巴山锰矿带和塔里木盆地西南缘锰多金属矿区采用不同的物探方法进行锰矿勘查工作,在部分矿区取得了较好的勘查效果。本文主要以塔里木盆地西南缘锰多金属矿区的新疆奥尔托喀讷什一带锰矿区为例,主要介绍了采用激发极化法在该工区开展的具体工作情况以及取得的一些成果认识,表明该方法在寻找隐伏含锰层位具有较好的效果。     

松辽盆地西南部DL铀矿带铀赋存状态及矿物组成特征

DL铀矿带是松辽盆地近年找矿的新发现。文章利用扫描电镜、电子探针和自动矿物参数定量分析系统等测试手段对该区矿石样品进行了铀赋存状态研究,结果表明:研究区铀主要以沥青铀矿、含锆铀矿物、含钛铀矿物等独立铀矿物以及黏土吸附、有机质吸附、锐钛矿吸附等吸附铀形式存在,铀矿物呈微粒状、细脉状、块状和团块状产出,空间上与磷灰石、硒铅矿、黄铁矿、有机质和碳酸盐等关系密切,与周边铀矿床的铀存在形式略有差别,其中含锆铀矿物在砂岩型铀矿中属首次发现。矿物组成以石英、长石、黏土矿物和碳酸盐为主,此外还有一定量的钛铁氧化物、重晶石、铁氧化物和少量独居石、磷钇矿、硒铅矿等副矿物。利用电子探针的铀定量分析数据和自动矿物参数定量分析系统的铀矿物定量分析数据,首次定量计算了不同存在形式铀的分布率,结果显示:独立铀矿物中沥青铀矿和含锆铀矿物的分布率最高,吸附铀以黏土矿物吸附占优势,有机质和锐钛矿吸附次之。铀赋存状态及矿物组成的精细厘定对矿床成因与选冶工艺研究等具有重要意义。     

Rapid development of negative Ce anomalies in surface waters and contrasting REE patterns in groundwaters associated with Zn–Pb massive sulphide deposits

Ground and surface waters collected from two undisturbed Zn–Pb massive sulphide deposits (the Halfmile Lake and Restigouche deposits) and active mines in the Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC), NB, Canada were analysed for the rare earth elements (REE). REE contents are highly variable in waters of the BMC, with higher contents typical of waters with higher Fe and lower pH. There are significant differences between ground- and surface waters and between groundwaters from different deposits. The REE contents of surface waters are broadly similar within and between deposit areas, although there are spatial variations reflecting differences in pH and redox conditions. Surface waters are characterised by strong negative Ce anomalies ([Ce/Ce*]_NASC as low as 0.08), produced by oxidation of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ and preferential removal of Ce⁴⁺ from solution upon leaving the shallow groundwater environment. Groundwaters and seeps typically lack significant Ce anomalies reflecting generally more reducing conditions in the subsurface environment and indicating that Ce oxidation is a rapid process in the surface waters. Deeper groundwaters at the Halfmile Lake deposit are characterised by REE patterns that are similar to the host lithologies, whereas most groundwaters at the Restigouche deposit have LREE-depleted patterns compared to NASC. Halfmile Lake deposit groundwaters have generally lower pH values, whereas Restigouche deposit groundwaters show greater heavy REE-complexation by carbonate ions. Shallow waters at the Halfmile Lake and Stratmat Main Zone deposits have unusual patterns which reflect either the adsorption of light REE onto colloids and fracture-zone minerals and/or precipitation of REE–phosphate minerals. Middle REE-enrichment is typical for ground- and surface waters and is highest for neutral pH waters. The labile portion of stream sediments are generally more middle REE-enriched than total sediment and surface waters indicating that the REE are removed from solution by adsorption to Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxides in the order middle REE≥light REE>heavy REE.     

深穿透地球化学方法在山东大尹格庄金矿区试验研究

山东大尹格庄金矿埋深距地表距离大于200 m,属典型的隐伏矿床。选择大尹格庄金矿开展金属活动态测量、地球气测量、地电化学测量、土壤全量测量的方法,以检验深穿透地球化学方法勘查隐伏矿的有效性。试验结果显示:在埋深达300 m的隐伏金矿体上方发现了较明显的地球气、水提取与地电化学Au异常,异常与已知金矿体位置吻合程度较高,而土壤全量测量只在蚀变带头部有所反映,显示了深穿透地球化学方法在隐伏矿勘查中的良好应用前景。