Effect of Groundwater Radiolysis on the Wall—rock Alteration of Uranium Ore Deposits

Reported for the first time in this paper are the results of simulating experiments on the γ-irradiation-induced oxidation of Fe^2 under the physicochemical conditions(T=200℃，P=50MPa,Eh=-0.1V,pH=7.2)simial to those under which moderate-low temperature hydrothermal uranium deposits are formed.Evdence shows that the effect of groundwater radiolysis seems to be the major mechanism of wall-rock alteration(hematitizaton)of hydrothermal uranium deposits.Moreover,adiscussion was made of possible effects of radiolysis of the water-rock system on wall-rock alterations including argillization and decoloration of uranium ore deposits on the basis of the experimental results.     

On the Genesis of Uranium Deposit 720 with Special Reference to the Double Solution—Mixing Model

Presented in this paper is an approach to the analysis of “series-stage“division.The processes of hydrothermal evolution involved in ore deposition,the factors affecting the enrichment of uranium and the source of ore forming elements in uranium deposit 720 are also discussed .In addition,the ore-forming tem-perature and pressure as well as the pH,Eh and chemical composition of ore-forming medium are studied with reference to the fluid inclusion data available.A double solution-mixing model has been proposed to explain the genesis of the uranium deposit studied.     

Metallogenesis of Devonian—Carboniferous Strata—bound Carbonate—type Uranium Deposits in South China

This paper deais with the geological conditions.mineralization characteristics,genetic types and space-time distribution of the Devonian-Carboniferous strata-bound carbonate-type uranium deposits in South China.These ore deposits are genetically classified as the leaching type and the leaching-hydrothermal superimposed type,These ore deposits are confined mainly to the strata (D2-3,C1)of platform-lagoon carbonate facies.Unique tectonic settings are a vital factor leading to the formation of these uranium deposits.A metallogenetic model for these uranium deposits has been proposed.     

Uranium Provinces in China

Three uranium provinces are recognized in China, the Southeast China uranium province, the Northeast China-Inner Mongolia uranium province and the Northwest China (Xinjiang) uranium province. The latter two promise good potential for uranium resources and are major exploration target areas in recent years. There are two major types of uranium deposits: the Phanerozoic hydrothermal type (vein type) and the Meso-Cenozoic sandstone type in different proportions in the three uranium provinces. The most important reason or prerequisite for the formation of these uranium provinces is that Precambrian uranium-enriched old basement or its broken parts (median massifs) exists or once existed in these regions, and underwent strong tectonomagmatic activation during Phanerozoic time. Uranium was mobilized from the old basement and migrated upwards to the upper structural level together with the acidic magma originating from anatexis and the primary fluids, which were then mixed with meteoric water and resulted in t     

Assessment of Prospecting Potentiality for Superlarge Continental Volcanic Rock—Type Uranium Deposits in China

The superlarge continental volcanic rock-type uranium deposits,which were discovered abroad long ago,have not ye been reported up to now in China.This is an important problem that needs to be urgently solved by uranium geologists at present.In this paper,on the basis of analyzing the metallogenic settings and geological conditions of the superlarge continental volcanic rock-type uranium deposits discovered in the world along with the metallogenic characteristics of those of the same type in China,the space-time distribution patterns of continental volcanics and the metallogenic potential of main tectono-volcanic belts in China are discussed,and a synthetic conclusion has been drawn that there is a possibility to discover the superlarge continental volcanic rock-type uranium deposits in China.Moreover,it is evidenced that the Ganhang,Nanling,Yanliao,Da Hinggan Ling and other tectono-volcanic belts possess favorable geological conditions for the formation of ssuperlarge ore deposits of the continental volcanic rock type.The intersecting and overlapping locations of the aforementioned main belts with other tectono-volcanic(-intrusive)belts are the most potential areas where the superlarge continental volcanic rock-type uranium deposits would be found.     

Isotope Geological Studies of Granite-Type Uranium Deposits in South China

The uranium-bearing granites in South China can be classified into two types. namely, syntectic type andtransformation type. A fairly systematic hydrogen, oxygen. carbon, sulfur isotopic study of uranium depositsrelated to these two types of granites has been carried out by the authors, and the results show that they haveobvious differences in such aspects as ore-forming and rock-forming ages. properties of ore-forming solutionsand source of ore-forming substances. The authors hold that the uranium deposits related to the syntectic typegranitoids are intimately connected with magmatism in time and space, whereas the uranium deposits relatedto the transformation type granites, though spatially linked up with uranium-bearing granites, should actuallyowe their formation to extension in the fault block movement in South China.     

Types and Ore-forming Conditions of Gold Deposits in the Jinsha River-Lancang River-Nujiang River Area

The Jinsha River-Lancang River-Nujiang River area is one of the important prospect areas for noble metal and nonferous metal deposits of China. Of a great variety of gold deposits present in this area, the following types seem to be economically most valuable and promising: tectonic alteration type in ophiolitic melange; polymetallic quartz vein type related to intermediate-acid intrusions; finely disseminated type in fracture zones; mixed hydrothermal type in tectonic fractures of carbonate rocks; hydrothermal type related to subvolcanic rocks; volcanic-hot spring type; submarine volcano exhalation-sedimentary-hydrothermal reformation type. Metallogenic epochs are exclusively Mesozoic and Cenozoic, and ore deposits and orebodies are controlled by linear structures. Magmatic activity has affected gold mineralization in varying degrees, and gold deposits are basically of mesothermal-epithermal type with ubiquitous and intense alterations. Ore-forming materials and hydrothermal solutions show multi-source character.     

Complexation of Si in hydrothermal systems

The Au-SiO2 and Sn-SiO2 complexes have been experimentally calibrated at varying temperature,silica comcentration and pH: Au^ H2SiO4^-=AuH3SiO4 lgK=-1.65436 9611.21/T; Sn^4 4H3SiO4^-=Sn(H3SiO4)4 lgK200℃=42.73 Compared with Au-Cl,Au-HS and Sn-OH complexes,AuH3SiO4 and Sn(H3SiO4)4complexes can be recognized as the dominant transport forms in Si-bearing solurtions under pH and Eh conditions of general interest.The decrease of SiO2 concentration and oxygen fugacity would reverse the direction of dissolution-complexing reactions,resulting in the precipitation of gold and silica,as well as cassiterite and silica.This study illustrates the significance of SiO2-complexation in hydrothermal solutions for gold,tin and other metallizations.     

Outline of Uranium Resources Characteristics and Metallogenetic Regularity in China

Uranium,as one of twenty-six kinds of important minerals in China,is strategic resource and energy mineral,which has been thoroughly investigated in the project of National Potential Evaluation of Uranium Resource.During the implementation of this project,the authors summarized the metallogenic regularity of uranium resource in China systematically,through the researches of geological characteristics of uranium resource,uranium deposits type(genetic and prediction type),temporal and spatial distribution,and metallogenic series.Based on the investigation of present situation and progress in uranium exploration,this paper proposes the uranium deposits in China should be divided into 4 classes,9 types,21 subtypes in genetic,and 50 types in prediction;suggests to divide China into 29 uranium metallogenic belts and 20 uranium prospective area,and constructs 20uranium-polymetallic metallogenic series,through summarizing temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and metallogenic regularity of uranium deposits in China.The above research is beneficial to the comprehensive understanding of regional uranium metallogenic regularity,and will direct the uranium exploration in the future.     

Geochemical Characteristics of the Sandstone—type Uranium Deposits in Northern Sichuan Province

Described in detail in this paper are the geochemical characteristics of the sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern Sichuan Province .Favorable and unfavor-able conditions for the enrichment of uranium are explored on the basis of the elemental abundances and ratios of U,Th and K determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy. Gamma-ray spectroscopic(U, Th and K) and XRF analyses(As, Ba) are helpful to distinguish U-bearing light-colored sandstones from U-barren light-colored ones and red sandstones (red claystone) from light-colored sandstones. Therefore, the favorable target area for prospecting the sandstone-type uranium deposits can be difined in northern Sichuan Province.     

Stable isotope geochemistry and diagenetic mineralization associated with the Tono sandstone-type uranium deposit in Japan

The Tono sandstone-type uranium mine area, middle Honsyu, Japan is composed of Miocene lacustrine sedimentary rocks in the lower part (18–22 Ma) and marine facies in the upper part (15–16 Ma). Calcite and pyrite occur as dominant diagenetic alteration products in these Neogene sedimentary rocks. The characteristics of calcite and pyrite differ significantly between lacustrine and marine facies. Abundant pyrite, calcite, organic matter, and small amounts of marcasite or pyrrhotite occur in the lacustrine facies, whereas small amounts of calcite and framboidal pyrite, organic matter and no marcasite or pyrrhotite are found within the marine units. The δ¹³C values of calcite in the lacustrine deposits are low (−19 to −6‰ PDB) but those in marine formation are high (−11 to +3‰). This implies that the contribution of marine carbonate is larger in upper marine sedimentary rocks, and carbon in calcite in the lower lacustrine formation was derived both from oxidation of organic matter and from dissolved marine inorganic carbon. The δ³⁴S values of framboidal pyrite in the upper marine formation are low (−14 to −8‰ CDT), indicating a small extent of bacterial seawater sulfate reduction, whereas those of euhedral-subhedral pyrite in the lower lignite-bearing arkose sandstone are high (+10 to +43‰), implying a large extent of closed-system bacterial seawater sulfate reduction. The δ³⁴S and δ¹³C data which deviate from a negative correlation line toward higher δ¹³C values suggest methanogenic CO₂ production. During diagenesis of the lacustrine unit, large amounts of euhedral-subhedral pyrite were formed, facilitated by extensive bacterial reduction of seawater sulfate with concomitant oxidation of organic matter, and by hydrolysis reactions of organic matter, producing CH₄ and CO₂. Uranium minerals (coffinite and uraninite) were also formed at this stage by the reduction of U⁶⁺ to U⁴⁺. The conditions of diagenetic alteration within the lacustrine deposits and uranium mineralization is characterized by low Eh in which nearly equal concentrations of CH₄ and HCO₃ ⁻ existed and reduced sulfur species (H₂S, HS⁻) are predominant among aqueous sulfur species, whereas diagenetic alteration of the marine formations was characterized by a predominance of SO₄ ²⁻ among dissolved sulfur species. Modern groundwater in the lacustrine formation has a low Eh value (−335 mV). Estimated and measured low Eh values of modern and ancient interstitial waters in lacustrine environments indicate that a reducing environment in which U⁴⁺ is stable has been maintained since precipitation of uranium minerals. Received: 9 February 1996 / Accepted: 11 April 1997     

铀的地球化学性质与成矿——以华南铀成矿省为例

铀是强不相容元素,随着岩浆演化而不断富集,在岩浆演化末期受结构氧增加影响进入独居石、磷钇矿等副矿物中。岩浆演化通常无法直接形成达到工业品位的铀矿床。铀是对氧逸度敏感的变价元素。在表生风化过程中岩体(层)中的铀被氧化为UO_2~(2+)而极易溶解进入水体中,并可在还原环境沉淀而富集成矿,氧化还原界面是找矿的理想选区。大气水可通过断裂构造系统进入一定深度,并受热源作用形成高氧逸度的热液而萃取出岩体(层)中的铀在还原位置沉淀富集形成矿床。新元古代氧化事件以及Marinoan冰期结束使得表生风化过程中更多的U进入水体;而寒武纪生命大爆发,易在沉积盆地底部形成还原环境,有利于U的沉淀富集。受上述三方面因素控制,在华南形成了广泛分布的富铀黑色页岩层,并被之后的沉积物覆盖,成为华南各型铀矿床的铀源层。印支期构造运动使部分富铀黑色页岩层发生部分熔融形成了富铀的S型花岗岩,该类岩石亦是之后铀成矿作用的铀源岩。燕山运动后期华南发生伸展构造背景下的岩浆热事件为以大气水为主的高氧逸度热液的形成并作用于铀源岩(层)提供了有利条件,促使华南各类型铀矿床开始在白垩纪集中形成。     

Interaction of model F-bearing silicic melt with chloride fluid,uraninite, and columbite at 750°C and 1000–2000 bar and its implications for estimation of the ore-forming capability of the upper crustal magma chamber beneath the Strel’tsovka caldera,eastern Transbaikalia

The experimental study of an F-bearing silicic melt—U, Nb, Ta minerals—chloride-fluoride fluid system is focused on ascertaining the origin of uranium deposits spatially related to intraplate silicic volcanism. The first series of experiments on uranium solubility in silicic melts close in composition to ore-bearing rhyolite of the unique Strel’tsovka Mo-U ore field has been performed in order to determine more precisely the ore genesis. As starting solid phases, model homogeneous glass of the chemical composition (wt %) 72.18 SiO₂, 12.19 Al₂O₃, 1.02 FeO, 0.20 MgO, 0.33 CaO, 4.78 Na₂O, 3.82 K₂O, 1.44 Li₂O, and 2.4 F (LiF, NaF, KF, CaF₂, MgF₂); synthetic UO₂ and UO₃·0.33H₂O; and natural columbite were used. The starting solutions contained 1.0 m Cl and 10⁻² m F. The runs were conducted in a gas vessel at a pressure of 1000 bar and in a high-pressure hydrothermal vessel at 2000 bar. The O₂ (H₂) fugacity was set by Ni-NiO, Co-CoO, Fe₃O₄-Fe₂O₃, and Cu-Cu₂O buffers. The equilibrium between melt and solution for major elements is reached during the first day, whereas 5–7 days are required for ore elements (U, Nb, Ta) to come into equilibrium. The solubility of Nb and especially Ta in Cl-F solutions equilibrated with F-bearing melt is extremely low. The solubility of U is much higher (10⁻⁴−10⁻⁵ mol/kg H₂O). The energy dispersive spectroscopy of run products allowed us to establish that columbite dissolved incongruently with formation of U- and F-bearing pyrochlores. The performed experiments have shown that a silicic melt close to the rhyolitic magma of the Strel’tsovka caldera in composition is not able to generate postmagmatic ore-forming solutions containing more than 10⁻⁶−10⁻⁵ mol U/kg H₂O under the relatively low pressure necessary for the existence of the first type of fluid. The amount of uranium that could have precipitated from this fluid in the zone of ore deposition is estimated at 216–9000 t. This estimate is two orders of magnitude lower than the total uranium resources of the deposits localized in the Strel’tsovka caldera. Thus, the upper crustal silicic magma chamber hardly was a source of uranium for Mo-U deposits of the Strel’tsovka ore field.     

Hydrothermal uranium deposits containing molybdenum and fluorite in the Marysvale volcanic field, west-central Utah

Uranium deposits containing molybdenum and fluorite occur in the Central Mining Area, near Marysvale, Utah, and formed in an epithermal vein system that is part of a volcanic/hypabyssal complex. They represent a known, but uncommon, type of deposit; relative to other commonly described volcanic-related uranium deposits, they are young, well-exposed and well-documented. Hydrothermal uranium-bearing quartz and fluorite veins are exposed over a 300 m vertical range in the mines. Molybdenum, as jordisite (amorphous MoS₂), together with fluorite and pyrite, increase with depth, and uranium decreases with depth. The veins cut 23-Ma quartz monzonite, 20-Ma granite, and 19-Ma rhyolite ash-flow tuff. The veins formed at 19-18 Ma in a 1 km² area, above a cupola of a composite, recurrent, magma chamber at least 24 × 5 km across that fed a sequence of 21- to 14-Ma hypabyssal granitic stocks, rhyolite lava flows, ash-flow tuffs, and volcanic domes. Formation of the Central Mining Area began when the intrusion of a rhyolite stock, and related molybdenite-bearing, uranium-rich, glassy rhyolite dikes, lifted the fractured roof above the stock. A breccia pipe formed and relieved magmatic pressures, and as blocks of the fractured roof began to settle back in place, flat-lying, concave-downward, “pull-apart” fractures were formed. Uranium-bearing, quartz and fluorite veins were deposited by a shallow hydrothermal system in the disarticulated carapace. The veins, which filled open spaces along the high-angle fault zones and flat-lying fractures, were deposited within 115 m of the ground surface above the concealed rhyolite stock. Hydrothermal fluids with temperatures near 200 °C, ¹⁸O_H2O∼−1.5, D_H2O∼−130, log f O₂ about −47 to −50, and pH about 6 to 7, permeated the fractured rocks; these fluids were rich in fluorine, molybdenum, potassium, and hydrogen sulfide, and contained uranium as fluoride complexes. The hydrothermal fluids reacted with the wallrock resulting in precipitation of uranium minerals. At the deepest exposed levels, wallrocks were altered to sericite; and uraninite, coffinite, jordisite, fluorite, molybdenite, quartz, and pyrite were deposited in the veins. The fluids were progressively oxidized and cooled at higher levels in the system by boiling and degassing; iron-bearing minerals in wall rocks were oxidized to hematite, and quartz, fluorite, minor siderite, and uraninite were deposited in the veins. Near the ground surface, the fluids were acidified by condensation of volatiles and oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in near-surface, steam-heated, ground waters; wall rocks were altered to kaolinite, and quartz, fluorite, and uraninite were deposited in veins. Secondary uranium minerals, hematite, and gypsum formed during supergene alteration later in the Cenozoic when the upper part of the mineralized system was exposed by erosion. Received: 23 June 1997 / Accepted: 15 October 1997     

Isotope geochemistry of ore fluids for the Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, China

The Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit is one of the large-sized sandstone-type uranium deposits discovered in the northern part of the Ordos Basin of China in recent years. Geochemical characteristics of the Dongsheng uranium deposit are significantly different from those of the typical interlayered oxidized sandstone-type uranium ore deposits in the region of Middle Asia. Fluid inclusion studies of the uranium deposit showed that the uranium ore-forming temperatures are within the range of 150–160℃. Their 3He/4He ratios are within the range of 0.02–1.00 R/Ra, about 5–40 times those of the crust. Their 40Ar/36Ar ratios vary from 584 to 1243, much higher than the values of atmospheric argon. The δ18OH2O and δD values of fluid inclusions from the uranium deposit are -3.0‰– -8.75‰ and -55.8‰– -71.3‰, respectively, reflecting the characteristics of mixed fluid of meteoric water and magmatic water. The δ18OH2O and δD values of kaolinite layer at the bottom of the uranium ore deposit are 6.1‰ and -77‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of magmatic water. The δ13CV-PDB and δ18OH2O values of calcite veins in uranium ores are -8.0‰ and 5.76‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of mantle source. Geochemical characteristics of fluid inclusions indicated that the ore-formation fluid for the Dongsheng uranium deposit was a mixed fluid of meteoric water and deep-source fluid from the crust. It was proposed that the Jurassic-Cretaceous U-rich metamorphic rocks and granites widespread in the northern uplift area of the Ordos Basin had been weathered and denudated and the ore-forming elements, mainly uranium, were transported by meteoric waters to the Dongsheng region, where uranium ores were formed. Tectonothermal events and magmatic activities in the Ordos Basin during the Mesozoic made fluids in the deep interior and oil/gas at shallow levels upwarp along the fault zone and activated fractures, filling into U-bearing clastic sandstones, thus providing necessary energy for the formation of uranium ores.     

H,O,S and Pb isotope studies of uranium ore deposits in granitoid rocks of South China

Most altered clay minerals in uranium ore deposits in granites in the selected provinces of South China haveδ ¹⁸O _m values ranging from 6.22 to 7.24,δD_m from −60 to −70,δ ¹⁸O from +3.05 to −3.07, and from −20.2 to −37.5‰. Relative enrichment of³²S in the uranium ore deposits and greater variations in Pb isotopic composition of galenas from them show that uranium ores in the granites were formed in such a way that uranium in shallow-source granites had been mobilized by heated meteoric waters and then migrated to local favourable locations along great faults to form uranium ore deposits. Zhang Shaoli, Yang Wenjin, Tang Chunjing and Xu Wenxin did part of this work.     

Chemical factors controlling the solubility of uraninite and their significance in the genesis of unconformity-related uranium deposits

A quantitative evaluation of the solubility of uraninite (UO₂) in aqueous solutions under hydrothermal conditions was made using previously reported thermodynamic data, so as to inquire into the controlling factors for Canadian unconformity-type ore mineralization as observed in the Athabasca uranium field. The results of solubility calculations suggest that uranyl carbonate complexes, such as UO₂CO ₃ ^o , UO₂(CO₃) ₂ ^2- and UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^4- , predominate under relatively oxidizing and slightly acidic-alkaline conditions and that the uranyl chloride complex, UO₂Cl⁺ is dominant under acidic conditions. These features are predicted at temperatures up to 200 °C over reasonable ranges of CO₂ pressure (Pco₂) and salinity. Consequently, the physico-chemical parameters, such as oxygen activity (ao₂), and pH are regarded as the most important factors controlling uraninite solubility. Judging from the paragenetic sequences observed in most unconformity-type uranium deposits in the Athabasca district, appreciable decreases in the above variables are postulated to have occurred in the stage of principal uranium deposition. Such changes would be due to fluid-mixing phenomenon accompanied by the diagenetic-hydrothermal activity (Hoeve and Quirt 1987).     

Transport and Concentration of Gold in Metamorphic—hosted Reworked Gold Deposits,China

Calculations based on the available thermodynamic data of AuCl ₂ ⁻ and Au (HS) ₂ ⁻ indicate that AuCl ₂ ⁻ is responsible for the transport and enrichment of gold during the stage of pre-concentration in the source bed while Au (HS) ₂ ⁻ is the main gold species involved in the formation of gold deposits in response to hydrothermal reworking. Acid chloride solutions witha _Cl ⁻ > 10° and sulfur-rich solutions with a_Σs in excess of 10⁻² are held as important criteria for gold enrichment in the source bed and for the formation of gold deposits by subsequent hydrothermal event, respectively.