Geology of the Ranger Uranium Mine, Northern Territory, Australia: structural constraints on the timing of uranium emplacement

The geology of the No 1 and 3 pits at the Ranger Mine in the Pine Creek Inlier (PCI) of Australia is dominated by Palaeoproterozoic volcanic, carbonate and sedimentary sequences that unconformably overlie Archaean granitic gneiss of the Nanambu Complex (2470±50 Ma). These sequences are folded, faulted and sheared, and crosscut by east-trending granite (sensu stricto) dykes and pegmatite veins, and gently dipping N–NE trending mafic dykes of the Oenpelli Dolerite (1690 Ma). Regional metamorphism is to greenschist facies and contact metamorphism is to hornblende-hornfels facies.The rocks of the Ranger Mine have been subjected to at least two phases of ductile–brittle deformation (D2–D3) and one phase of brittle deformation (D4). These events were preceded by regional diastathermal or extension-related metamorphism (D1) and the development of an ubiquitous bedding-parallel cleavage (S1).D2 resulted in the development of NNE–NNW trending mesoscopic folds (F2) and a network of thrusts and dextral reverse shears. The modelled palaeo-stress directions for the emplacement of pegmatite veins suggests that they formed early in D2. D3 resulted in the development of WNW–NW trending mesoscopic folds (F3), a weakly defined axial planar cleavage (S3) and sinistral reactivation of D2 shears. D2–D3 are correlated with deformation during the Maud Creek Event of the Top End Orogeny (1870–1780 Ma), while the emplacement of granite dykes and pegmatite veins is correlated with emplacement of regional granites at 1870–1860 Ma.D4 is associated with brittle deformation and resulted in the development of normal faults and fault breccias during a period of east–west extension. This event is correlated with regional east–west extension during deposition of Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic platform sequences.The sequence of tectonic events established in this study indicates that uranium-bearing ore shoots in the Ranger No 1 and 3 pits formed during extension in D4, and after emplacement of the Oenpelli Dolerite at 1690 Ma. However, the currently accepted 1737±20 U–Pb Ma age places the mineralising event at time of regional post-orogenic erosion, after the Top End Orogeny and before emplacement of the Oenpelli Dolerite and extension in D4. The U–Pb age is not consistent with Sm–Nd ages for primary uranium mineralisation at Nabarlek and Jabiluka at 1650 Ma [Econ. Geol. 84 (1989) 64] and does not concur with currently accepted regional tectonic data of Johnston [Johnston, J.D., 1984. Structural evolution of the Pine Creek Inlier and mineralisation therein, Northern Territory, Australia. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Monash University, Australia], Needham et al. [Precambrian Res. 40/41 (1988) 543] and others. Consequently, the absolute age of uranium mineralisation at the Ranger Mine is open.     

Uranium mineralization in the South Alligator River valley

The South Alligator uranium deposits are located in the Northern Territory, Australia, south-west from the recent discoveries of Nabarlek, Ranger, Koongarra and Jabiluka. All five deposits occur in intensely folded Early Proterozoic rocks around the perimeter of the Kombolgie Formation, a flatlying Middle Proterozoic sandstone unit. It is proposed that during reconstitution (weathering or diagenesis) of acid volcanic rocks, groundwaters leached uranium and percolated down into the groundwater system of the permeable sandstone and conglomerate unit at the base of the sequence. Uranium as uranyl ion was stable in relatively high Eh groundwater conditions and was carried in solution until active reducing conditions were met with which resulted in reduction of uranyl ion to insoluble UO₂. Reduction occurred where faulting had brought underlying carbonaceous shales up against the sandstone aquifer, or where groundwater could percolate down permeable fault zones into the carbonaceous shales. These structural, chemical traps were sites of uranium accumulation.     

A geologic investigation of the Halloran Hills,central Mojave Desert,California

The Halloran Hills consist of Precambrian (?) metamorphites, Mesozoic igneous intrusive rocks, Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary breccias, and Quaternary alluvia. The Precambrian Halloran Complex has been subdivided into the following formations: (1) Silver Lake Peak Formation, mostly quartzofeldspathic gneisses; (2) Cree Camp Formation, quartzites and metarhyolites; (3) Riggs Formation, metamorphosed carbonate rocks. This complex is intruded by dioritic rocks. Regional metamorphism produced parageneses of the almandine amphibolite facies. Metablastesis was a major phenomenon, partial fusion was a local one. The rocks are, therefore, metatexites. Regional metamorphism was followed by diaphthoresis, accentuated in a zone of dislocation. A mesozonal pluton (Wander Mine Pluton) invaded the Halloran Complex during the Laramide (?) orogeny. The plutonic core consists of quartz monzonite, whereas the peripheral parts are more basic in composition. Contact relationships with the country rock are both concordant and discordant. Locally, a tectonic breccia marks marginal upthrusts. Foliation exists to various degrees in the periphery of the pluton. The sequence of the emplacement phases of the pluton is as follows: (1) metasomatism, (2) flow, and (3) movement of the dead body. All three phases overlapped each other, but at the present level of erosion the rocks in any one restricted area depict only two phases. Younger granitic rocks and various dike-swarm intrusions followed the emplacement of the pluton. During the Tertiary, autoclastic friction breccias of andesitebasalt composition intruded along faults. These intrusions were followed by the deposition of arkosic breccias (Halloran Spring Formation) and coarse sedimentary breccias (rubble). At the end of the Tertiary (Pliocene?), basalt flows buried much of the ancient land surface near Halloran Spring. The configuration of the Halloran complex indicates a domelike structure, partially bounded in the north by a fault zone (Cree Camp Fault Zone). Outlines of the Wander Mine Pluton indicate a phacolithic geometry modified by regional faults. The most important fault in the area is the Cree Camp Fault Zone, which has a general east-west trend. It was probably formed before the emplacement of the pluton, and was revived three times after its initiation. Faulting ceased after the outpouring of the basalt flows. Within the regional framework, the Halloran Hills lie east of the quartz-diorite line. There seems to be a trend for association of tonalites with sillimanite-cordierite-bearing metamorphites west of the quartz-diorite line, and of quartz monzonites with potassium-rich metamorphites east of it. If the plutonic rocks are anatexitic, or palingenetic, their compositional differences on either side of the line find a suitable explanation. Results of recent experiments agree with this assumption. “Anormal” rock suites are explained as ectectic mobilizates. The age of orogenies in California generally decreases from west to east, and the potassium-sodium ratio increases in the same direction. It is submitted that time determines the site of the orogeny and that the site determines the possible range in composition of the granitic magma. The spreading sea-floor hypothesis serves as the unifying framework for the above considerations.     

云南牟定戌街地区铀矿化特征及成因探讨

云南牟定戌街1101铀矿区位于扬子地台西南缘,康滇地轴中南段,是我国西南地区产于元古界变质岩中的铀矿之一。通过对矿化区岩石及矿石的岩石学、矿物学、地球化学及年代学特征进行研究,分析了铀矿的形成条件,揭示了铀成矿规律。研究发现:①牟定戌街地区铀矿化赋存于斜长角闪岩、角闪斜长片麻岩和二云母石英片岩等变质混合岩中,主要铀矿物为晶质铀矿、钛铀矿及次生铀矿,含铀矿物有榍石、锆石,硫化物丰富,围岩蚀变主要为硅化、赤铁矿化、碱交代等;②牟定1101铀矿化地区混合岩化岩石的地球化学特征表现为高钾钙碱性-钙碱性系列岩石;③研究区混合岩形成于1 056 Ma左右,铀矿形成于845 Ma左右,为新元古代产物;④牟定1101地区铀成矿受构造、岩性控制,与混合岩化作用、构造热液活动及碱交代作用关系密切,属热液成因铀矿。     

Genetic implications of minor-element and Sr-isotope geochemistry of alkaline rock complexes in the Wet Mountains area,Fremont and Custer counties,Colorado

Concentrations of Rb, Sr, and REE (rare earth elements), and Sr-isotopic ratios in rocks of the Cambrian alkaline complexes in the Wet Mountains area, Colorado, show that rocks formed as end-products of a variety of magmas generated from different source materials. The complexes generally contain a bimodal suite of cumulus mafic-ultramafic rocks and younger leucocratic rocks that include nepheline syenite and hornblende-biotite syenite in the McClure Mountain Complex, nepheline syenite pegmatite in the Gem Park Complex, and quartz syenite in the complex at Democrat Creek. The nepheline syenite and hornblende-biotite syenite at McClure Mountain (535±5m.y.) are older than the syenitic rocks at Democrat Creek (511±8m.y.). REE concentrations indicate that the nepheline syenite at McClure Mountain cannot be derived from the hornblende-biotite syenite, which it intrudes, or from the associated mafic-ultramafic rocks. REE also indicate that mafic-ultramafic rocks at McClure Mountain have a source distinct from that of the mafic-ultramafic rocks at Democrat Creek.In the McClure Mountain Complex, initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios for mafic-ultramafic rocks (0.7046±0.0002) are similar to those of hornblende-biotite syenite (0.7045±0.0002), suggesting a similar magmatic source, whereas ratios for carbonatites (0.7038±0.0002) are similar to those of nepheline syenite (0.7038±0.0002). At Democrat Creek, initial ratios of syenitic rocks (0.7032±0.0002) and mafic-ultramafic rocks (0.7028±0.0002) are different from those of corresponding rocks at McClure Mountain.     

Relative timing of deformational,metamorphic and mineralisation events at the Mt. Todd (Yimuyn Manjerr) Mine,Pine Creek Inlier,Northern Territory,Australia

The Mt. Todd Mine (also known as the Yimuyn Manjerr Mine), located approximately 40 km northwest of the township of Katherine, in the Northern Territory, Australia, is host to several discrete ore bodies that strike NNE within a broad NE-trending corridor of gold mineralisation. The mine lies in the southern region of the Central Domain of the Pine Creek Inlier (PCI) and is hosted by a Palaeoproterozoic sequence of rocks termed the Burrell Creek Formation, which is dominated by greywacke, siltstone, sandstone and shale that exhibit sedimentary features akin to those of a river-dominant delta front to prodelta environment. The formation is conformably overlain by volcanoclastic and volcanolithic sedimentary rocks of the Tollis Formation (∼1890 Ma).Three deformation events are recognised in the Mt. Todd region, D1, D2 and D3. The earliest deformation, D1, is characterised by close to tight, NE to N to NW-trending asymmetric folds (F1), and a continuous axial–planar cleavage (S1). The deformation is associated with the development of conjugate buck–quartz veins and was preceded by the emplacement of the Yenberrie Leucogranite, which produced contact metamorphism of the sedimentary rocks of the Burrell Creek Formation to hornblende–hornfels facies (H1), with the development of cordierite porphyroblasts (type C1). D1 was coincident with peak regional metamorphism to greenschist facies.D2 is associated with westerly trending open folds (F2), and a spaced disjunctive to fracture cleavage (S2) in transection to the folds. It was preceded by the emplacement of the Tennysons Leucogranite of the Cullen Batholith (1835–1820 Ma), which produced contact metamorphism of the Yenberrie Leucogranite and the sedimentary rocks of the Burrell Creek and Tollis formations to hornblende–hornfels facies (H2), with the development of cordierite porphyroblasts (type C2).D3 is characterised by the reactivation of strike-slip faults (mostly sinistral), a steeply dipping Type S3-C type foliation, and mesoscopic en échelon folds (F3) that trend oblique to the faults in a left stepping (sinistral) array.The age of emplacement of the Tennysons Leucogranite, and the timing of D1 and D2 are broadly constrained by the age of emplacement of the Cullen Batholith at 1835–1800 Ma. D1 and D2 are correlated with deformation during the Maud Creek Event (∼1850 Ma), while D3 is correlated with deformation during the Shoobridge Event (∼1780 Ma). The age of the Yenberrie Leucogranite is constrained to the age of emplacement of granite batholiths at 1870–1860 Ma.A temporal and broad structural relationship exists between D2 structures, the Tennysons Leucogranite, and the several gold-bearing quartz–sulphide veins and lode systems of the Mt. Todd Mine. The systems appear to have formed after peak thermal metamorphism associated with the emplacement of the pluton at about 1825 Ma, and early in D2, prior to the development of the regional S2 fabric. W–Mo–Sn–Bi–Cu greisen-type mineralisation in the carapace of the Yenberrie Leucogranite of the Yenberrie Wolfram Field constitutes a discrete mineralising event that preceded the emplacement of the Tennysons Leucogranite.     

Cripple Creek and other alkaline-related gold deposits in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA: influence of regional tectonics

Alkaline-related epithermal vein, breccia, disseminated, skarn, and porphyry gold deposits form a belt in the southern Rocky Mountains along the eastern edge of the North American Cordillera. Alkaline igneous rocks and associated hydrothermal deposits formed at two times. The first was during the Laramide orogeny (about 70-40 Ma), with deposits restricted spatially to the Colorado mineral belt (CMB). Other alkaline igneous rocks and associated gold deposits formed later, during the transition from a compressional to an extensional regime (about 35-27 Ma). These younger rocks and associated deposits are more widespread, following the Rocky Mountain front southward, from Cripple Creek in Colorado through New Mexico. All of these deposits are on the eastern margin of the Cordillera, with voluminous calc-alkaline rocks to the west. The largest deposits in the belt include Cripple Creek and those in the CMB. The most important factor in the formation of all of the gold deposits was the near-surface emplacement of relatively oxidized volatile-rich alkaline magmas. Strontium and lead isotope compositions suggest that the source of the magmas was subduction-modified subcontinental lithosphere. However, Cripple Creek alkaline rocks and older Laramide alkaline rocks in the CMB that were emplaced through hydrously altered LREE-enriched rocks of the Colorado (Yavapai) province have ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios that suggest these magmas assimilated and mixed with significant amounts of lower crust. The anomalously hot, thick, and light crust beneath Colorado may have been a catalyst for large-scale transfer of volatiles and crustal melting. Increased dissolved H₂O (and CO₂, F, Cl) of these magmas may have resulted in more productive gold deposits due to more efficient magmatic-hydrothermal systems. High volatile contents may also have promoted Te and V enrichment, explaining the presence of fluorite, roscoelite (vanadium-rich mica) and tellurides in the CMB deposits and Cripple Creek as opposed to deposits to the south. Deep-seated structures of regional extent that formed during the Proterozoic allowed the magmas to rise to shallow crustal levels. Proterozoic sites of intrusions at 1.65, 1.4, and 1.1 Ga were also important precursors to alkaline-related gold deposits. Many of the larger gold deposits are located at sites of Proterozoic intrusions, and are localized at the intersection of northeast-trending ductile shear zones formed during Mesoproterozoic deformation, and an important north-trending fault formed during 1.1 Ga rifting.     

The role of biogeochemical processes in minimising uranium dispersion from a mine site

The Ranger Uranium Mine located in the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory lies in the tropical zone and has an annual wet-dry monsoonal climate. Following the commencement of the wet season, runoff from the waste rock dump accumulates in a retention pond (RP4). This water is permitted to discharge to the nearby Magela Creek once minimum flow of 5 m³/sec is reached and following filling of the pond. The discharge proceeds via a channel, experimental wetland and a backflow billabong (Djalkmarra Billabong) which acts as a natural wetland filter and flows out to Magela Creek.This study examines monitoring data for water releases over 3 wet seasons. I wet season with no release and 4 dry seasons. The monitoring data comprised electrical conductivity (EC). pH, Na, K. Ca, Mg. HCO⁻₃ SO²⁻₄, Cl⁻ and U (total or filtered, < 0.45 μm). Some ICP-MS scans of trace elements were also undertaken with particular reference being made to Re and U.Specific features of the sequence of water accumulation, release and reconstitution of Djalkmarra Billabong are able to show that U is effectively removed from solution, from about 50 ppb down to < 1 ppb. Soluble salts may remain in the water column and are removed by dilution following discharge to Magela Creek. Sediment levels show no increase in U concentration with time.The pH of the billabong water during releases (6.0–6.6) suggests that cationic forms of U, such as (UO₂)₃ (OH)⁵, predominate, favouring adsorption on to the humic-rich sediments of the natural wetland. The application of this principle enables U to be removed efficiently from waste water and to be contained within the mine lease.     

The Topaz Basin archaeological obsidian source in the transition zone of central Arizona

The Classic Period Migration Project involves the analysis of archaeological sites at Perry Mesa in central Arizona and resulted in the discovery of several small marekanite1 obsidian artifacts that signaled a previously unlocated source. The source was eventually located in the Topaz Basin area of the upper Cienega Creek stream basin, southwest of Camp Verde, Arizona.² While this locality solves the “unknown” sources in the Perry Mesa archaeological assemblage, it has not appeared in the archaeological record of Arizona with any frequency. The glass itself is an excellent medium for tool production, so its near absence in the archaeological record is likely attributable to social/territorial causes as well as limited secondary deposition, and along with other “minor” sources points to the archaeological utility of understanding these smaller sources. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Gold-bearing Quartz Veins and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Paleozoic Epithermal System in the Francis Creek Area, North Queensland, Australia

Abstract. The Francis Creek area located at the Sybil graben in North Queensland, Australia, has some features of epithermal gold mineralization such as gold-bearing quartz vein and silica body hosted in rhyodacitic rocks of the Late Carboniferous Hells Gate Formation. In order to understand the nature of the paleo-hydrothermal activity in this area and to aid exploration for an economic gold deposit in this area, we carried out hydrothermal alteration mapping surrounding the veins and silica body, over an area of about 7 times 5 km².
We defined two alteration zones and inferred the center of hydrothermal activity. Fluid inclusion shows the boiling feature, and the microthermometry analysis resulted in the trapping temperature of 240°C and low salinity. This temperature is consistent with the formation temperature of clay mineral in the host rocks. On the basis of whole-rock composition, the silica body was identified as silicified rocks. Precious metal minerals such as electrum and acanthite coexist with sulfide minerals. Iodagylite was identified as a product of weathering. The sulfide minerals imply that the low-sulfidation epithermal gold mineralization occurred in the Francis Creek area.     

Geochemical evolution of solutions derived from experimental weathering of sulfide-bearing rocks

The chemical composition of natural waters is affected by the weathering of geologic materials at or near the surface of the Earth. Laboratory weathering experiments of whole-rock sulfide rocks from the Shoe-Basin Mine (SBM) and the Pennsylvania Mine (PM) from the Peru Creek Basin, Summit County, Colorado, indicate that the mineral composition of the sulfide rocks, changes in pH, the duration of the experiment, and the formation of sorbents such as Fe and Al oxyhydroxides affect the chemical composition of the resulting solution. Carbonate minerals in the rock from SBM provide buffering capacity to the solution, contribute to increases in the pH and enhance the formation of Fe and Al oxyhydroxides, which sorb cations from solution. The final solution pH obtained in the experiments was similar to those measured in the field (i.e., 2.8 for PM and 5.0 for SBM). At PM, acidic, metal-rich mine effluent is discharged into Peru Creek where it mixes with stream water. As a result, the pH of the effluent increases causing Fe and Al oxyhydroxide and schwertmannite to precipitate. The resulting solids sorb metal cations from the water thereby improving the quality of the water in Peru Creek.     

Stable lead isotope ratios and metals in freshwater mussels from a uranium mining environment in Australia’s wet-dry tropics

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, U and Pb, and stable Pb isotopes ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb were measured via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in sediments, water and freshwater mussels (Velesunio angasi) from two catchments in the Alligator Rivers Region, Australia. Sediment U and Pb concentrations were higher in Magela Creek downstream than upstream of the Ranger U mine due to the mineralised nature of the catchment and potential local input of sediment from the mine site. Water metal concentrations were highest in Georgetown Creek, which is a tributary of Magela Creek and part drains the Ranger mine site, but there was little difference in concentrations between the Magela Creek upstream and downstream sites. Metal concentrations in mussels collected immediately upstream and downstream of the mine site also showed little difference, whereas Pb isotope ratios displayed a very distinct pattern. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotope ratios were more uranogenic downstream than upstream of the site and also more uranogenic than ratios measured in Sandy Billabong, a reference billabong in a catchment not influenced by U mineralisation. Isotope ratios were also more uranogenic in younger mussels, potentially due to the increasing footprint of the mine site over the past decade. The most uranogenic ratios were found in mussels from Georgetown Creek and at a site approximately 2 km downstream. At Mudginberri Billabong, approximately 12 km downstream of the Ranger mine, the relative contribution of uranogenic Pb to the total Pb concentration in mussels was small and overwhelmed by the input of industrial Pb with a Broken Hill type Pb signature. Whereas metal uptake by and thus concentrations in mussel flesh are influenced by water chemistry, mussel condition and metabolic rates, Pb isotope ratios are independent of these factors and provide a powerful means of source apportionment of contaminants in mussels and waterways, in particular in an U mining environment.     

西藏扎布耶盐湖超大型B、Li矿床成矿物质来源研究

扎布耶盐湖位于西藏高原腹地,是一个现代盐湖矿床。对扎布耶地区地球化学背景的研究表明:变质岩及蚀变岩石中硼锂含量很高以及电气石脉的出现,暗示着扎布耶地区深部曾产生含硼锂高的热流体;沉积岩中除晚石炭世砂岩含硼锂稍高外,其他岩石均低于同类岩石的平均含量;火山岩中除早白垩世基性岩的硼锂含量高于基性岩平均含量外,其他均很低;该区大量发育的第四纪钙华含硼锂非常高,表明早期的热水系统曾提供过大量的成矿物质;河流及泉水中的硼锂含量是世界河水平均含量的数倍至数百倍,表明地表和近地表条件下的水-岩相互作用的产物也是成矿物质来源之一。     

Proterozoic low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism and an anticlockwise P–T–t path for the Hazeldene area, Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, Australia

In the Hazeldene area, situated in the Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, the metamorphic grade changes from chlorite zone, through biotite and cordierite zones, to sillimanite/K-feldspar zone.
Microstructural studies of rocks near the sillimanite isograd demonstrate that cordierite grew early during the development of a steep foliation (S2), was replaced by biotite, andalusite and sillimanite at the metamorphic peak late in S2, and in turn by kyanite + chlorite adjacent to localized small post-D2 shear zones. Although the anticlockwise P–T–t path is well defined, the precise P–T conditions are uncertain because of problems with experimental and thermodynamic data. The best estimate for the metamorphic peak for rocks close to the sillimanite isograd is around 600° C at 4 kbar.
The metamorphism has been dated at 1544 Ma, and was synchronous with a major crustal shortening event. Because proposed extensional events occurred more than 60 Ma earlier, their contribution to the peak metamorphic thermal perturbation would have been insignificant. The syn-metamorphic Mica Creek Pegmatites, the abundance of high heat-producing elements in the nearby pre-D2 Sybella Granite, and advective heat by fluids which caused considerable metasomatism in the Hazeldene area, may have each contributed to the thermal budget. However, the metamorphic thermal gradient may be 80°C km^-1 or higher, strongly suggesting a local magmatic control. As none are known in the area, such syn-metamorphic plutons would have to lie beneath the exposed high-grade rocks.     

广东大亚湾西北部新发现铀矿点及找矿远景讨论

2003年在广东大亚湾西北部新发现了一处火山岩型铀矿点,经刻槽取样分析,铀矿石品位高达0.459%。该处铀矿物成份主要是沥青铀矿和次生铀矿物,前者 UO_2最高为94%,Al_2O_3<1%,P_2O_5含量变化大,按照 P_2O_5含量可分两组,其一变化于2.23%～2.57%,另一组变化于17.96%～19.95%;次生铀矿物含 UO_3大约为60%左右,Al_2O_3在1.6%～3.0%之间,P_2O_5变化于10%～15%。对含矿岩石及围岩进行了岩石学和地球化学研究,结果表明,出露的岩石主要为流纹质岩石,与著名的相山矿田的岩石类型相似。岩石具有高的 LREE/HREE 值,Eu 负异常并不普遍。从主、微量元素及稀土元素特征来看,含矿岩石及围岩差别不大,总特征与一般的钙碱性火山岩相似。新发现的铀矿化带范围虽然不大,但含矿岩石铀品位高,所处构造环境与相山铀矿田的某些矿床有一定的相似性,是值得注意和进一步工作的地区。     

Paleontological analysis of a lacustrine carbonaceous uranium deposit at the Anderson mine, Date Creek basin, west-central Arizona (U.S.A.)

The Tertiary sedimentary sequence of the Date Creek basin area of Arizona is composed principally of intertonguing alluvial-fan and lacustrine deposits. The lacustrine rocks contain large intermediate- to, locally, high-grade uranium deposits that form one of the largest uranium resources in the United States (an estimated 670,000 tons of U₃O₈ at an average grade of 0.023% is indicated by drilling to date). At the Anderson mine, about 50,000 tons of U₃O₈ occurs in lacustrine carbonaceous siltstones and mudstones (using a cutoff grade of 0.01%). The Anderson mine constitutes a new class of ore deposit, a lacustrine carbonaceous uranium deposit.Floral and faunal remains at the Anderson mine played a critical role in creating and documenting conditions necessary for uranium mineralization. Organic-rich, uraniferous rocks at the Anderson mine contain plant remains and ostracodes having remarkably detailed preservation of internal features because of infilling by opaline silica. This preservation suggests that the alkaline lake waters in the mine area contained high concentrations of dissolved silica and that silicification occurred rapidly, before compaction or cementation of the enclosing sediment. Uranium coprecipitated with the silica. Thinly laminated, dark-colored, siliceous beds contain centric diatoms preserved with carbonaceous material suggesting that lake waters at the mine were locally deep and anoxic. These alkaline, silica-charged waters and a stagnant, anoxic environment in parts of the lake were necessary conditions for the precipitation of large amounts of uranium in the lake-bottom sediments.Sediments at the Anderson mine contain plant remains and pollen that were derived from diverse vegetative zones suggesting about 1500 m of relief in the area at the time of deposition. The pollen suggests that the valley floor was semiarid and subtropical, whereas nearby mountains supported temperate deciduous forests.     

Matt Wilson structure: record of an impact event of possible Early Mesoproterozoic age,Northern Territory

The Matt Wilson structure is a circular 5.5 km-diameter structure in Early Mesoproterozoic or Neoproterozoic rocks of the Victoria Basin, Northern Territory. It lies in regionally horizontal to gently dipping Wondoan Hill and Stubb Formations (Tijunna Group) and Jasper Gorge Sandstone (Auvergne Group). An outer circumferential syncline with dips of 5?–?40° in the limbs surrounds an intermediate zone with faulted sandstone displaying horizontal to low dips, and a central steeply dipping zone about 1.5 km across. Several thrust faults in the outer syncline appear to indicate outward-directed forces. The central zone, marked by steeply dipping to overturned Tijunna Group and possibly Bullita Group sandstone and mudstone, indicates uplift of at least 300 m. The rocks are intensely fractured with some brecciation, and contain numerous planar to subtly undulating surfaces displaying striae which resemble shatter cleavage. Thin-sections of sandstone from the central area show zones of intense microbrecciation and irregular and planar fractures in quartz, but no melt-rocks have been identified. The planar fractures occur in multiple intersecting parallel sets typical of relatively low-level (5?–?10 GPa) shock-pressure effects. Alternative mechanisms, i.e. igneous intrusion, carbonate collapse, diapirism and regional deformation processes, have been discounted. The circular nature, central uplift, faulting, shatter features and planar fractures are all consistent with an impact origin. The Matt Wilson structure is most likely a deeply eroded impact structure in which the more highly shocked rocks of the original crater floor have been removed by erosion. Estimates of the age of the Auvergne and Tijunna Groups range from Early Mesoproterozoic (which we favour) to Late Neoproterozoic. Early Cambrian Antrim Plateau Volcanics near the impact structure show no signs of impact effects, allowing the age of impact to be constrained between Early Mesoproterozoic and Early Cambrian. The presence of widespread soft-sediment deformation features, apparently confined to a single horizon in the Saddle Creek Formation some 700?–?1000 m stratigraphically higher in the Auvergne Group than the rocks at the impact site, and apparently increasing in thickness towards the Matt Wilson structure, lead us to speculate that this probable event horizon is related to the impact event: if correct the impact occurred during deposition of the Saddle Creek Formation.     

放射性元素和毒性重金属污染土壤的治理探讨--以湖南雄磺矿和七一五铀矿为例

湖南雄磺矿和七一五铀矿的长期开采和冶炼,对矿山生态环境造成了严重的污染和破坏,直接影响到了矿山周边居民的正常生产与生活。从2003年起,国土资源部和国家财政部拨出了专款实施矿山地质环境治理工程。其中对放射性和毒性元素污染的土地治理都是采用的机械物理复垦土地的方法,比起国外先进的原地微生物净化处理方法来,缺少科技含量。通过介绍保加利亚中部两个矿山采用微生物净化处理污染土壤的成功范例,提出了同类矿山地质环境治理的建议。     

小兴安岭西北部奥陶系火山岩形成环境

本文依据火山岩岩石化学、微量元素和稀土元素地球化学特征，论述了小兴安岭西北部中奥陶统火山岩形成于陆缘弧环境。并且，用板块俯冲机制对其形成机制进行了解释。     

伊犁盆地砂岩型铀矿同位素地质特征

本项目试图探讨砂岩型铀矿床的同位素地质特征 ,开拓同位素地质研究的新领域。对伊犁盆地砂岩型铀矿床及其蚀源区的初步研究表明 ,该区砂岩型铀矿具有期成矿作用的特点 ,成矿年龄有 82Ma、6 0Ma、11 4Ma、7 1Ma和 3 5Ma。从含矿砂体中精选出的碎屑锆石的U Pb等线年龄为 380Ma,与蚀源区花岗岩和火山岩的年龄一致 ,从而限定了含铀砂体的物源。笔者认为 ,伊犁盆地砂岩型铀矿床具有多铀源富集的特征 ,铀源主要来自沉积过程中形成的富铀砂体 ,也有部分来自蚀源区富铀岩石风化淋滤作用而释出的铀。