Genetic classification of uranium deposits

Commercial uranium deposits and those likely to become commercial in the near future are genetically classified as magmatic, hydrothermal, exogenous, metasedimentary, and deposits of questionable origin. A brief discussion of each type is included. — C.E. Sears.     

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.     

铀矿大型矿集区与成矿作用

大型矿集区的形成，是在地质历史演化进程中，多矿种大矿量超常聚集的结果。不同的矿集区有不同的典型矿种和典型矿床。本文仅以铀矿为例，在世界范围内厘定出14个铀矿大区矿集区。本文研究铀矿大型矿集区时空分布规律与地球动力学演化的关系，在此基础上探讨了铀矿大型矿集区元素超常聚集规律，提出多矿种“点区超常聚集”和“短时限爆发成矿”特征。本文按照“源、运、积”3个环节，探讨铀矿大型矿集区的成矿作用，其中有关深源成矿、特殊碱质流体的水岩反应以及元素沉积环境的研究，为建立铀矿大型矿集区的找矿模式奠定基础。     

砂岩型铀矿床中铀矿物的形成机理

本文通过对砂岩型铀矿床中铀在不同地球化学环境中的行为、存在形式及铀矿物种类的分析，论述了主要工业铀矿物——沥青铀矿的形成机理：(1)铀是变价元素，在氧化环境中活化迁移，在还原环境中还原沉淀；(2)来自于氧化环境的[UO2(CO3)3]^4-、[UO2(CO3)2]^2-在氧化还原过渡带与有机质、硫化物及低价铁等还原剂发生反应，形成铀的简单氧化物——沥青铀矿；(3)有机质、粘土矿物等吸附UO2^2 ，加快了其被还原的速度，有利于铀的富集。因此认为：有机质还原UO2^2 形成H2S和H2S还原UO2^2 的作用是沥青铀矿形成的主要原因，这一反应在中性和弱碱性碳酸盐溶液中广泛和普遍存在。H2S等还原剂的存在是环境Eh值下降的主要原因，从而使水中的UO2^2 在氧化还原过渡带处于过饱和状态，加速了铀的吸附和沉淀。     

The extreme diversity of uranium deposits

Most available classifications of uranium deposits are based on the characteristics of the host rocks or on the morphology of the ore deposits. The aim of the present paper is to propose the basis for a genetic classification of these deposits. After a short introduction on the geochemical behavior of uranium in fluids and silicate melts and on the main uranium fractionation mechanisms operating in uranium-rich peraluminous, metaluminous, and peralkaline melts, the most recent metallogenic models of the main types of uranium deposits are shortly reviewed.     

Groundwater processes and sedimentary uranium deposits

 Hydrologic processes are fundamental in the emplacement of all three major categories of sedimentary uranium deposits: syngenetic, syndiagenetic, and epigenetic. In each case, the basic sedimentary uranium-enrichment cycle involves: (1) leaching or erosion of uranium from a low-grade provenance; (2) transport of uranium by surface or groundwater flow; and (3) concentration of uranium by mechanical, geochemical, or physiochemical processes. Although surface flow was responsible for lower Precambrian uranium deposits, groundwater was the primary agent in upper Precambrian and Phanerozoic sedimentary uranium emplacement. Meteoric or more deeply derived groundwater flow transported uranium in solution through transmissive facies, generally sands and gravels, until it was precipitated under reducing conditions. Syndiagenetic uranium deposits are typically concentrated in reducing lacustrine and swamp environments, whereas epigenetic deposits accumulated along mineralization fronts or tabular boundaries. The role of groundwater is particularly well illustrated in the bedload fluvial systems of the South Texas uranium province. Upward migration of deep, reducing brines conditioned the host rock before oxidizing meteoric flow concentrated uranium and other secondary minerals. Interactions between uranium-transporting groundwater and the transmissive aquifer facies are also reflected in the uranium mineralization fronts in the lower Tertiary basins of Wyoming. Similar relationships are observed in the tabular uranium deposits of the Colorado Plateau. Received, May 1998 · Revised, July 1998 · Accepted, September 1998     

Hydrothermal uranium deposits and sulfur isotopes

Research on sulfur isotopes in hydrothermal uranium deposits with acid alterations shed much light on the genetic aspects of hydrothermal uranium deposits. Based on the studies of uranium deposits of different genesis, it is concluded that σ³⁴S of Sulfides in hydrothermal uranium deposits derived from residual magma is within the range of +2‰ ?2.6‰, approximately the same as meteorite sulfur. δ³⁴S of Sulfides in polygenetic hydrothermal uranium deposits is slightly lighter than meteorite sulfur and varies over a restricted range (6.7‰), averaging ?10.15‰. Two intervals can be recognized with respect to sulfur isotopic compositions in palingenetic hydrothermal uranium deposits. δ³⁴S of sulfides formed in diagenesis, autometamorphism and hypothermal stages is similar to meteorite sulfur. On the other hand, at the stage starting from the alteration of uranium mineralization to the formation o uranium deposits and postmineralization the average δ³⁴S is -7.89‰, with a wider range of δ³⁴S variation (13.7‰), which can be attributed to the enrichment of δ³⁴S in palingenetic hydrothermal solutions.     

The time related occurrence of uranium deposits

Plotting of the main types of uranium deposits in a diagram according to their time related occurrence reveals a characteristic qualitative and quantitative distribution of the deposits to distinct epochs, and a grouping into five principle generations of deposits. Furtheron, most of the deposits show an obvious geographic affinity to uraniferous source rocks of also distinct geological ages.     

砂岩型铀矿床分类探讨

在研究国内外大量砂岩型铀矿床成矿地质特征的基础上，本文分别以铀矿床含矿沉积建造、含矿主岩沉积环境、矿体形态和矿床成因为依据，提出了砂岩型铀矿床的4种分类方案，并探讨了这4种分类方案在铀矿勘查中的应用问题。     

硬岩型铀矿化(点、带)地球物理特征

为了深入研究硬岩型铀矿化(点、带)的地球物理特征,在桃山、红山子地区开展了综合物探测量.结果表明,在△T磁异常平面等值线图中,铀矿床(点、带)一般位于强弱磁异常过渡地带偏弱磁异常一侧,电阻率断面图中多位于高低阻梯度变化带或中低阻区,电阻率平面图中多位于中低阻过渡带偏低阻一侧.该硬岩型铀矿化地球物理特征为寻找该类铀矿有利地段提供了重要信息.     

砂岩型铀矿床硫化物还原富集铀的机制

砂岩型铀矿中含大量不同形态、不同阶段的黄铁矿。仅凭矿相学对黄铁矿产状及电子探针对黄铁矿形态的观察难以准确地判别成矿期、成矿前及成矿后形成的黄铁矿。而成矿期黄铁矿是铀矿床成因和形成过程的重要信息载体,对其准确识别具有特别重要的意义。以往国内外研究采用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱(LA-MC-ICP-MS)方法分析Pb同位素,但该方法对于低含量Pb样品分析精度较低且较难获得²⁰⁴Pb数据。本文对铀矿石中的黄铁矿利用微区原位的手段进行更加精准的飞秒级质谱(fs-LA-MC-ICP-MS)的Pb同位素测试,发现大量黄铁矿存在Pb同位素异常,从中可能区分出成矿期与非成矿期的黄铁矿。经U-Th-Pb放射性衰变原理分析并结合黄铁矿矿相学特点可以发现,矿相学镜下明确是成矿期的黄铁矿,其²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb比正常克拉克值大十几倍甚至数十倍,²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb稍有异常,而²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb基本不变。矿相学中产状呈草莓状,以及铀矿物围绕其生长但未有穿插关系的非成矿期黄铁矿,其²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb正常;矿相学镜下难以确定形成阶段的、与铀矿物没有任何接触关系的黄铁矿,其Pb同位素没有明显的规律性。这些结果证明了利用Pb同位素异常来判断黄铁矿形成阶段的准确性。因此,利用黄铁矿微区原位Pb同位素差异,适当配合矿相学形态和产状观察,可较为精准地识别出成矿期黄铁矿。

     

Evidence of uranium biomineralization in sandstone-hosted roll-front uranium deposits, northwestern China

We show evidence that the primary uranium minerals, uraninite and coffinite, from high-grade ore samples (U₃O₈>0.3%) in the Wuyiyi, Wuyier, and Wuyisan sandstone-hosted roll-front uranium deposits, Xinjiang, northwestern China were biogenically precipitated and psuedomorphically replace fungi and bacteria. Uranium (VI), which was the sole electron acceptor, was likely to have been enzymically reduced. Post-mortem accumulation of uranium may have also occurred through physio-chemical interaction between uranium and negatively-charged cellular sites, and inorganic adsorption or precipitation reactions. These results suggest that microorganisms may have played a key role in formation of the sandstone- or roll-type uranium deposits, which are among the most economically significant uranium deposits in the world.     

川北砂岩型铀矿稀土元素特征及铀成矿作用

在大量取样分析的基础上 ,本文系统分析研究了围岩、矿石、方解石脉和铀矿物的稀土元素组成 ,讨论了岩石、矿石沉积和成岩过程中的稀土元素变化规律 ,总结了川北砂岩型铀矿床的稀土元素地球化学特征。通过与典型的火山岩型和变质岩型热液成因铀矿床进行对比 ,认为川北砂岩型铀矿具有热液 (水 )改造成矿作用的稀土元素地球化学特点 ;铀矿化经历了沉积成岩和热液改造富集两个阶段。     

Methodology and exploration for sandstone-type uranium deposits

Mobility of uranium with ground water in near surface earth conditions and its association with sandstone formations of continental depositional environments require an increase in the understanding and application of depositional characteristics in exploration. This paper, therefore, summarizes significant relationships of uranium geochemistry in the supergene environments and depositional characteristics of fluvial, deltaic, and lacustrine environments and their influence on exploration that may aid in the expeditious search for sandstone-type uranium deposits throughout the world.     

Potassic alteration in French hydrothermal uranium deposits

A comprehensive study of alteration minerals, especially clays, developed around or within French hydrothermal uranium ore bodies (Vendée and Margeride), generally associated with leucogranitic rocks, using optical examinations, classical methods of clay mineralogy and electron microprobe determinations, demonstrates the general feature of potassic minerals as products of reaction between ore forming fluids and host rocks. Six stages of alteration follow the typical metallogenic sequence established for numerous deposits: early stages and uranium stages 1) 2) 3) with phengites, illite, mixed layered illite and K-montmorillonites; 4), early reworking of pitchblende 1 to pitchblende 2 with complex zoning around ores: illite, illite-K-montmorillonites; 5) then to coffinite-smectites; 6) sooty pitchblende, during supergene weathering, with smectites and kaolinite. Potassic metasomatism by fluids in desequillibrium with the minerals of the granitic host rocks, essentially albite, explains the complex alterations in K-smectites, mixed layered minerals and adularia. Variety of alteration products in each alteration zone indicate incomplete reactions of the solids and chemical potential gradients on a small scale.     

流水地貌与铀矿床的关系

渗入砂岩型铀矿床主要分布在现代河流附近，并与深大河谷关系密切。本文从追溯铀矿床的主要含矿砂体的物源、探讨河流对铀矿床的影响等方面来分析论证流水地貌的控矿作用，即流水地貌不仅为铀矿床提供了物质条件，而且控制层间氧化带的形成。     

应用铀同位素研究砂岩型铀矿中的若干问题探讨

笔者通过对512铀矿床含矿层岩石中铀同位素分布特征的研究,对砂岩型铀矿床铀同位素组成的分区进行了讨论。根据不同氧化还原分带中样品铀同位素组分的分布特征,对Osmond铀钍同位素组成分区模式提出了补充修改意见,认为A区应定名为“地球化学（氧化还原）矛盾区”更宜。该砂岩型铀矿床的铀同位素组成分区特征不仅是预测铀矿化定位的依据,而且也充分说明了铀富集成矿过程的滚动性。     

我国可地浸砂岩型铀矿成矿模式初步探讨

本文通过综合分析伊犁盆地南缘、吐哈盆地西南缘、鄂尔多斯盆地东北部地区等可地浸砂岩型铀矿重点成矿区的成矿环境和主要控制因素, 探讨了我国可地浸砂岩型铀矿的成矿模式, 认为伊犁盆地南缘、吐哈盆地西南缘层间氧化带型铀矿床主要受有利的构造、沉积建造和层间氧化带控制, 具有含矿建造铀预富集、表生后成改造成矿及矿后构造活动进一步叠加富集的特征, 而鄂尔多斯盆地东北部地区的铀矿化主要受古层间氧化带型铀矿化控制, 并遭受二次还原的改造作用, 其矿化规模显得较前者更大。     

Speciation and Precipitation of Uranium Complexes in Hydrothermal Solutions Related to Granite—type Uranium Deposits

Uranium-bearing hydrothermal solutions during the stage of ore deposition are weakly alkaline and of the Ca^2 -Na^ /HCO3^- -F^- type.UO2(CO3)2^2- and UO2F4^-, are dominant in the hydrothermal solutions with respect to their activity.Wall-rock hydrothermal alterations ,temperature and pressure drop and the reducing capability of rock assemblage (Δeh) led to a decrease in Eh of the hydrothermal solutions and an increase in Eh at which uranium began precipitating.Therefore,the mechanism of uranium precipitation is essentially the reduction of uranium complexes.The granite-type uranium deposits are the most important type of uranium resources in China.Discussions will be made in this paper concerning the hydrothermal speciation and precipitation mech-anisms of uranium complexes in the light of fluid inclusion and geological data from some major de-posits of this type in South China.