Formation of albitite-hosted uranium within IOCG systems: the Southern Breccia,Great Bear magmatic zone,Northwest Territories,Canada

Uranium and polymetallic U mineralization hosted within brecciated albitites occurs one kilometer south of the magnetite-rich Au–Co–Bi–Cu NICO deposit in the southern Great Bear magmatic zone (GBMZ), Canada. Concentrations up to 1 wt% U are distributed throughout a 3 by 0.5 km albitization corridor defined as the Southern Breccia zone. Two distinct U mineralization events are observed. Primary uraninite precipitated with or without pyrite–chalcopyrite?±?molybdenite within magnetite–ilmenite–biotite–K-feldspar-altered breccias during high-temperature potassic–iron alteration. Subsequently, pitchblende precipitated in earthy hematite–specular hematite–chlorite veins associated with a low-temperature iron–magnesium alteration. The uraninite-bearing mineralization postdates sodic (albite) and more localized high-temperature potassic–iron (biotite–magnetite ± K-feldspar) alteration yet predates potassic (K-feldspar), boron (tourmaline) and potassic–iron–magnesium (hematite ± K-feldspar ± chlorite) alteration. The Southern Breccia zone shares attributes of the Valhalla (Australia) and Lagoa Real (Brazil) albitite-hosted U deposits but contains greater iron oxide contents and lower contents of riebeckite and carbonates. Potassium, Ni, and Th are also enriched whereas Zr and Sr are depleted with respect to the aforementioned albitite-hosted U deposits. Field relationships, geochemical signatures and available U–Pb dates on pre-, syn- and post-mineralization intrusions place the development of the Southern Breccia and the NICO deposit as part of a single iron oxide alkali-altered (IOAA) system. In addition, this case example illustrates that albitite-hosted U deposits can form in albitization zones that predate base and precious metal ore zones in a single IOAA system and become traps for U and multiple metals once the tectonic regime favors fluid mixing and oxidation-reduction reactions.