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.     

Supergene processes and uranium ore formation in the Ronneburg ore field,Germany

The Ordovician-Lower Carboniferous sequence of slightly metamorphosed gray carbonate-terrigenous rocks contains the Silurian black cherty shales enriched in carbon (6–9%), pyrite (6–7%), and uranium (∼30 ppm). The uranium ore is localized at the pinch-out of areal and linear zones of the Early Permian supergene (exogenic) oxidation of rocks expressed in reddening (hematitization). U, As, Sb, Cu, Ni, Mo, and Ag have been removed from the oxidized black shales and concentrated in the cementation zone in form of pitchblende and sulfides in wall-rock disseminations and veinlets largely hosted in carbonate-bearing rocks. In the Late Permian, during deposition of the upper Rotliegende and Zechstein, the fractures in the basement were filled with carbonates and sulfates; uranium was partly redeposited along with enrichment in Pb and Zn. Mesozoic and Cenozoic supergene processes altered uranium ore insignificantly.     

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.     

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.     

The Rožná uranium deposit (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic): shear zone-hosted, late Variscan and post-Variscan hydrothermal mineralization

Three major mineralization events are recorded at the Rožná uranium deposit (total mine production of 23,000 t U, average grade of 0.24% U): (1) pre-uranium quartz-sulfide and carbonate-sulfide mineralization, (2) uranium, and (3) post-uranium quartz-carbonate-sulfide mineralization. (1) K–Ar ages for white mica from wall rock alteration of the pre-uranium mineralization style range from 304.5 ± 5.8 to 307.6 ± 6.0 Ma coinciding with the post-orogenic exhumation of the Moldanubian orogenic root and retrograde-metamorphic equilibration of the high-grade metamorphic host rocks. The fluid inclusion record consists of low-salinity aqueous inclusions, together with H₂O-CO₂-CH₄, CO₂-CH₄, and pure CH₄ inclusions. The fluid inclusion, paragenetic, and isotope data suggest that the pre-uranium mineralization formed from a reduced low-salinity aqueous fluid at temperatures close to 300°C. (2) The uraniferous hydrothermal event is subdivided into the pre-ore, ore, and post-ore substages. K–Ar ages of pre-ore authigenic K-feldspar range from 296.3 ± 7.5 to 281.0 ± 5.4 Ma and coincide with the transcurrent reorganization of crustal blocks of the Bohemian Massif and with Late Stephanian to Early Permian rifting. Massive hematitization, albitization, and desilicification of the pre-ore altered rocks indicate an influx of oxidized basinal fluids to the crystalline rocks of the Moldanubian domain. The wide range of salinities of fluid inclusions is interpreted as a result of the large-scale mixing of basinal brines with meteoric water. The cationic composition of these fluids indicates extensive interaction with crystalline rocks. Chlorite thermometry yielded temperatures of 260°C to 310°C. During this substage, uranium was probably leached from the Moldanubian crystalline rocks. The hydrothermal alteration of the ore substage followed, or partly overlapped in time, the pre-ore substage alteration. K–Ar ages of illite from ore substage alteration range from 277.2 ± 5.5 to 264.0 ± 4.3 Ma and roughly correspond with the results of chemical U–Pb dating of authigenic monazite (268 ± 50 Ma). The uranium ore deposition was accompanied by large-scale decomposition of biotite and pre-ore chlorite to Fe-rich illite and iron hydrooxides. Therefore, it is proposed that the deposition of uranium ore was mostly in response to the reduction of the ore-bearing fluid by interaction with ferrous iron-bearing silicates (biotite and pre-ore chlorite). The Th data on primary, mostly aqueous, inclusions trapped in carbonates of the ore substage range between 152°C and 174°C and total salinity ranges over a relatively wide interval of 3.1 to 23.1 wt% NaCl eq. Gradual reduction of the fluid system during the post-ore substage is manifested by the appearance of a new generation of authigenic chlorite and pyrite. Chlorite thermometry yielded temperatures of 150°C to 170°C. Solid bitumens that post-date uranium mineralization indicate radiolytic polymerization of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons and their derivatives. The origin of the organic compounds can be related to the diagenetic and catagenetic transformation of organic matter in Upper Stephanian and Permian sediments. (3) K–Ar ages on illite from post-uranium quartz-carbonate-sulfide mineralization range from 233.7 ± 4.7 to 227.5 ± 4.6 Ma and are consistent with the early Tethys-Central Atlantic rifting and tectonic reactivation of the Variscan structures of the Bohemian Massif. A minor part of the late Variscan uranium mineralization was remobilized during this hydrothermal event.     

REE geochemistry of ore zones in the archean auriferous schist belts of the eastern Dharwar Craton, south India

The eastern Dharwar Craton of southern India includes at least three ∼ 2700Ma supracrustal belts (schist belts) which have mesothermal, quartz-carbonate vein gold mineralization emplaced within the sheared metabasalts. In the Hutti and the Kolar schist belts, the host rocks are amphibolites and the ore veins have been flanked by only a thin zone of biotitic alteration; in the Ramagiri belt, however, the host rocks to the veins have been affected by more extensive but lower temperature alteration by fluids. The rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of the host metabasalts, alteration zones, ore veins and the bulk sulfides separated from the ore veins and the alteration zones suggest that

Pyrochlores as indicators of the uranium-bearing potential of magmatic melts

The interaction of columbite and uraninite with a fluid-magma system consisting of a melt of Li-F-granite and fluoride fluid at 750°C and P = 2300 bar causes the formation of zonal pyrochlores being considerably different in uranium and fluorine contents. Fluorine-rich pyrochlores (to 7–12 at %) preserve the Nb/U ratio of the initial columbite (15–30). Uranium-bearing pyrochlores contain 2–4 times less amounts of fluorine, above 2 at % of uranium, and the Nb/U molar ratio decreases to 5–15. The analysis of Ca, U, and F variation trends points to the influence of temperature on the reactions of Ca²⁺ to U⁴⁺ cation exchange. The statistical analysis (250 measurements) showed that the maximum uranium content in pyrochlores amounted to 16 ± 5 wt % for the magmatic system saturated with uraninite.     

Model of heat and mass transfer by fluid during formation of Mo-U deposits in the Strel’tsovka ore field,eastern Transbaikal region: Forced convection of solutions generated by a deep source

The Strel’tsovka and Antei uranium deposits located in the Strel’tsovka caldera are unique in ore resources. According to the considered mathematical model, the uranium source of these deposits was related to the middle-lower crustal silicic magma chambers or had mantle origin. Boundary conditions of the model are based on modern views of physicochemical conditions of hydrothermal process in the Strel’tsovka ore field and factors governing ore deposition therein. Modeling results are consistent with morphology of orebodies and ultimate uranium resources of the deposits and thus confirm indirectly that the physicochemical parameters of the ore-forming system are coherent. The maximal duration of uranium ore deposition is estimated at 500 ka.     

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.     

Ore geochemistry,zircon mineralogy,and genesis of the Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit in Kola Peninsula is related to the fissure alkaline intrusion of the same name. The intrusion ∼7 km in extent and 4–5 km² in area of its exposed part is composed of Neoarchean (2.68–2.61 Ma) alkali and nepheline syenites, which cut through the Archean alkali granite and gneissic granodiorite. Mineralization is localized in the nepheline syenite body as linear zones 200–1350 m in extent and 3–30 m in thickness, which strike conformably to primary magmatic banding and trachytoid texture of nepheline syenite. The ore is similar to the host rocks in petrography and chemistry and only differs from them in enrichment in zircon, britholite-(Y), and pyrochlore. Judging from geochemical attributes (high HSFE and some incompatible element contents (1000–5000 ppm Zr, 200–600 ppm Nb, 100–500 ppm Y, 0.1–0.3 wt % REE, 400–900 ppm Rb), REE pattern, Th/U, Y/Nb, and Yb/Ta ratios), nepheline syenite was derived from an enriched mantle source similar to that of contemporary OIB and was formed as an evolved product of long-term fractional crystallization of primary alkali basaltic melt. The ore concentrations are caused by unique composition of nepheline syenite magma (high Zr, Y, REE, Nb contents), which underwent subsequent intrachamber fractionation. Mineralogical features of zircon-the main ore mineral—demonstrate its long multistage crystallization. The inner zones of prismatic crystals with high ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (90, on average) grew during early magmatic stage at a temperature of 900–850°C. The inner zones of dipyramidal crystals with average ZrO₂/HfO₂ = 63 formed during late magmatic stage at a temperature of ∼500°C. The zircon pertaining to the postmagmatic hydrothermal stage is distinguished by the lowest ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (29, on average), porous fabric, abundant inclusions, and crystallization temperature below 500°C. The progressive decrease in ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio was caused by evolution of melt and postmagmatic solution. The metamorphic zircon rims relics of earlier crystals and occurs as individual rhythmically zoned grains with an averaged ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (45, on average) similar to that of the bulk ore composition. The metamorphic zircon is depleted in uranium in comparison with magmatic zircon, owing to selective removal of U by aqueous metamorphic solutions. Zircon from the Sakharjok deposit is characterized by low concentrations of detrimental impurities, in particular, contains only 10–90 ppm U and 10–80 ppm Th, and thus can be used in various fields of application.     

Ag-Sb mineralization of the Yana-Kolyma belt, Northeast Russia

The mineral assemblages of the Ag-Sb deposits from the Yana-Kolyma Foldbelt were studied. The compositions of ore minerals, the isotopic compositions of sulfur in ore minerals, and the carbon and oxygen in carbonates are given. Arsenopyrite of the deposits is significantly enriched in Sb (1–16 wt %), which is related to the primary enrichment of the ore-hosting sequences in Sb and the ore formation at shallow depths. Based on the fluid inclusions study, the deposits were formed at T = 329–149°C and P = 0.30–1.04 kb from low-salinity chloride-sulfate-bicarbonate solutions enriched in Sb and Ag. The sequence of precipitation of Ag-Sb minerals was mainly controlled by the Sb concentration and the sulfur fugacity and potential in the fluid.     

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.     

Origin of uranium and rare earth minerals in bone detritus from rare metal deposits

In order to ascertain the forms in which uranium is present in ores of the Melovoe rare metal sedimentary deposit of uranium and rare earth minerals (South Mangyshlak), we investigated a series of typical ore samples that were collected earlier; both the uranium content and the total content of rare earth metals in them lay within 0.1–0.3%. The study was carried out by analytical electron microscopy using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, electron microdiffraction, and microprobing. It was ascertained that both uranium and rare earth elements are present in ore mostly associated with biogenic phosphate in the form of natural minerals, such as uraninite, ningyoite, coffinite, autenite, and churchite. Iron hydroxides and graphitized organic matter are present in some samples. It is assumed that the co-occurrence of uranium and rare earth elements, which is nontypical for the sedimentary process, resulted from secondary epigenetic processes and alternation of reducing and oxidizing environmental conditions.     

冀北张麻井铀钼矿床叠加成矿:矿石地球化学质量 平衡迁移计算的制约

张麻井铀钼矿床位于沽源-红山子铀成矿带西南段,是中国重要的与火山岩有关的热液铀矿床,其铀、钼储量均达到大型矿床的标准。铀-钼矿矿体主要分布于流纹斑岩岩体的内外接触带,钼矿化的分布范围略大于铀矿化,两者在空间上高度重叠。在铀-钼矿矿体外发育一层单钼矿体,与铀-钼矿矿体界限清晰,两者为截然分开的接触关系。为了研究该矿床铀成矿与钼成矿的关系,对张麻井的铀矿石、钼矿石进行主微量元素分析,采用质量平衡迁移计算方法,选择Yb元素作为不活动组分,使用Grant公式对其组分迁移定量计算。地球化学数据显示,铀矿石的平均w(U)、w(Mo)为1589×10-6、3837×10-6;钼矿石的平均w(U)、w(Mo)为493×10-6、5706×10-6,显示钼矿石具有更高的Mo含量,更低的U含量。计算结果显示铀矿石的Isocon均小于以1(分别为0.48、0.58、0.46、0.53),相较流纹斑岩整体发生了组分带入,其中最明显的特点是带入大量SiO2,还带入Mo、U、Zn、Cu、Ni、V、Pb、Co等成矿元素,K2O、Na2O、Rb、Cs等碱金属,以及Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,Cd、Bi、Sc、Eu等组分也表现出较大程度的带入,仅碱金属Li,MnO等少量组分显示带出;钼矿石的Isocon均小于以1(分别为0.73、0.67、0.90、0.39),相较于流纹斑岩整体也发生了组分带入,带入的主要有成矿元素Mo、U、Ni、Zn、V、Co、Cu、Pb,碱金属K2O、Na2O、Rb、Li,大离子亲石元素Ba、Sr,以及TFeO、Cd、Bi、Sc等组分,仅Cr、MnO组分显示带出。质量平衡迁移计算之后,铀、钼矿石平均w(Mo)分别增加到7217×10-6、7759×10-6,显示两者增加的Mo基本一致。铀、钼矿石平均w(U)分别增加到3131×10-6、604×10-6,显示前者增加的U远远大于后者。在标准化Isocon图解中,铀矿石和钼矿石的组分迁移具有一定相似性,但具体迁移特征也有一定的差异,整体上表现出相似而不相同的特点。结合矿石从铀-钼矿矿体到外侧的单钼矿体,U含量迅速下降的地球化学特征,铀、钼矿体的空间分布特征以及其接触关系,文章认为两者极有可能是不同的成矿过程,而且可能是后期富铀成矿流体叠加在早期的钼矿之上。     

Nonsulfide zinc deposits in the Silesia–Cracow district,Southern Poland

The Silesia–Cracow district in Poland has been one of the world’s principal sources of zinc from nonsulfide zinc ore (Polish: galman). The still remaining nonsulfide ore resources can be estimated at 57 Mt at 5.6% Zn and 1.4% Pb. Nonsulfide mineralization is mainly hosted by Lower Muschelkalk (Triassic) limestone and is associated with different generations of the hydrothermal ore-bearing dolomite (OBD I, II, III). A fundamental ore control is believed to have been exerted by the basement faults, which were repeatedly reactivated during the Alpine tectonic cycle, leading to the formation of horst-and-graben structures: these dislocations may have caused short periods of emersion and the circulation of meteoric waters during the Cenozoic. Nonsulfide ores show a wide range of morphological characteristics and textures. They occur as earthy masses, crystalline aggregates, and concretions in cavities. Breccia and replacement textures are also very common. The most important mineral phases are: smithsonite, Fe–smithsonite, Zn–dolomite, goethite, and Fe–Mn(hydr)oxides. Minor hemimorphite and hydrozincite have also been detected. Two distinct nonsulfide ore types occur: the predominant red galman and the rare white galman. In the white galman, Fe–smithsonite and Zn–dolomite are particularly abundant. This ore type is commonly considered as a peripheral hydrothermal alteration product related to the same fluids that precipitated both the OBD II–III and the sulfides. In contrast, a supergene origin is commonly assumed for the red galman. Evidence of the petrographic and mineralogical difference between white and red galman is also found in stable isotope data. Smithsonite from red galman shows a limited range of δ ¹³C_VPDB values (−10.1 to −11.4‰), and δ ¹⁸O_VSMOW values (25.3‰ to 28.5‰, mean 26.8 ± 0.3‰). The uniform and low carbon isotope values of red galman smithsonite are unusual for supergene carbonate-hosted deposits and indicate the predominance of a single organic carbon source. Smithsonite from white galman has a more variable, slightly more positive carbon isotope (−2.9‰ to −7.4‰), but broadly similar oxygen isotope composition (26.8‰ to 28.9‰). The relationship of the white galman ore with the hydrothermal system responsible for OBD II and sulfide generation is still uncertain. The most important paleoweathering events took place in both Lower and Upper Silesia during Late Cretaceous up to Paleogene and early Neogene time. During this period, several short-lasting emersions and intense weathering episodes facilitated the formation of sinkholes in the Triassic carbonate rocks and the oxidation of sulfide orebodies through percolating meteoric waters. These phenomena may have lasted until the Middle Miocene.     

Fluid Inclusion Studies of Gold Deposits in the Gezhen Shear Zone,Hainan Province,China

The Tuwaishan, Baoban, Erjia, Bumo and other gold deposits in western Hainan occur in Precambrian metamorphic clastic rocks and are structurally controlled by the Gezhen shear zone. Fluid inclusion studies have been carried out of the gold deposits mentioned above. The homogenization temperatures of the whole fluid inclusion population range from 140°C to 370°C, indicating that gold was precipitated mainly at 240–250°C. The salinities are within the range of 2.0–9.2 wt% NaCl equiv. and the pressure of formation of the deposits was estimated at about 270×10⁵−500×10⁵Pa, corresponding to a depth of about 1.1–2.0 km under lithostatic confinement. Chemical studies show that the ore fluid is of the Na⁺(K⁺)-Ca²⁺-Cl⁻(F⁻) type. Theδ ¹⁸O andδD values of the fluid vary from −2.7‰- +4.4‰ and −50‰–−87‰ Evidence developed from fluid inclusions and geological setting indicates that the ore fluid was a mixture of magmatic and meteoric-hydrothermal waters. Changes in chemical composition andδ ¹⁸O andδD of fluid inclusions from one ore field to another seem to be related with regional tectonism, metamorphism and magmatism.     

Uraniferous diagenetic xenotime in northern Australia and its relationship to unconformity-associated uranium mineralisation

Stratabound, uraniferous diagenetic xenotime cements provide a minimum depositional age of 1,632±3 Ma for the sedimentary Birrindudu Group in the Killi Killi Hills, Tanami Region in northern Australia. The age of xenotime formation is broadly coeval with that recently proposed (1,650–1,600 Ma) for uranium mineralisation in the unconformity-associated deposits of the Pine Creek Inlier, northern Australia, and Athabasca Basin, Canada. The geological setting and formation model for the uraniferous xenotime crystals are similar to those widely proposed for unconformity-associated uranium deposits, suggesting a genetic link between the two. However, xenotime formation in the Birrindudu Group occurred during an apparently earlier stage of diagenesis, compared to late diagenetic formation of unconformity-associated uranium deposits. This could be explained by variations in the thickness of sediment cover and diachronous diagenesis across the basin, at the time of the basin-wide uranium mobilisation event, herein dated at ca. 1,630 Ma. In such a scenario, stratabound uraniferous xenotime cements could represent the remote distal zones of a more deeply buried, uranium mineralising system. Alternatively, the xenotime layer represents a precursor to, or a source for, later unconformity-associated ore deposition. In this case, the presence of diagenetic uraniferous xenotime in an area prospective for unconformity-associated uranium mineralisation would be an indication of, and still provide an approximate age for, uranium mobilisation within the cover sequence. Xenotime is a far more robust mineral than uraninite for U–Pb geochronology and can potentially provide a more reliable and precise timeframe for uranium mineralisation and subsequent recrystallisation events if present in the immediate uranium-ore environment.     

Multi-stage Ag–Bi–Co–Ni–U and Cu–Bi vein mineralization at Wittichen,Schwarzwald, SW Germany: geological setting,ore mineralogy,and fluid evolution

The Wittichen Co–Ag–Bi–U mining area (Schwarzwald ore district, SW Germany) hosts several unconformity-related vein-type mineralizations within Variscan leucogranite and Permian to Triassic redbeds. The multistage mineralization formed at the intersection of two fault systems in the last 250 Ma. A Permo-Triassic ore stage I with minor U–Bi–quartz–fluorite mineralization is followed by a Jurassic to Cretaceous ore stage II with the main Ag and Co mineralization consisting of several generations of gangue minerals that host the sub-stages of U–Bi, Bi–Ag, Ni–As–Bi and Co–As–Bi. Important ore minerals are native elements, Co and Ni arsenides, and pitchblende; sulphides are absent. The Miocene ore stage III comprises barite with the Cu–Bi sulfosalts emplectite, wittichenite and aikinite, and the sulphides anilite and djurleite besides native Bi, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and tennantite. The mineral-forming fluid system changed from low salinity (<5 wt.% NaCl) at high temperature (around 300°C) in Permian to highly saline (around 25 wt.% NaCl + CaCl₂) at lower temperatures (50–150°C) in Triassic to Cretaceous times. Thermodynamic calculations and comparison with similar mineralizations worldwide show that the Mesozoic ore-forming fluid was alkaline with redox conditions above the hematite–magnetite buffer. We suggest that the precipitation mechanism for native elements, pitchblende and arsenides is a decrease in pH during fluid mixing processes. REE patterns in fluorite and the occurrence of Bi in all stages suggest a granitic source of some ore-forming elements, whereas, e.g. Ag, Co and Ni probably have been leached from the redbeds. The greater importance of Cu and isotope data indicates that the Miocene ore stage III is more influenced by fluids from the overlying redbeds and limestones than the earlier mineralization stages.     

Modeling of geochemical processes occurred during the formation of the Schlema deposit,Erzgebirge. II. Formation of pre-uranium veins

By means of computer modeling, it was shown that the pre-uranium quartz and quartz-sulfide veins of the Schlema deposit with their typomorphic assemblages could be formed at the expense of cooling of hot pore solutions from the Aue granite cupola underlying the mineralized zones. As was shown previously [1], the ore metal content of these pore solutions changes with decreasing temperature and pressure in the granite-water system and an increase in the intensity of granite “flushing” with a water phase. The dependence of the composition of precipitated material on the proportions of chlorides and carbon dioxide in the pore solutions was evaluated in the models. It was shown that silica mobilization from the granite and redeposition were accompanied by the oxidation of ferrous iron in the granite and extraction of sulfide sulfur in molal amounts similar to or even higher than those of silica. This provided conditions for uranium migration after these stages and formation of hydrothermal uranium ores. Original Russian Text ? Vikt.L. Barsukov. 2006, published in Geokhimiya, 2006, No. 12, pp. 1290–1314.     

粤北长江花岗岩型铀矿田沥青铀矿原位U-Pb年代学研究及其地质意义

花岗岩型铀矿床是我国重要的工业铀矿床类型,广泛分布于南岭地区。粤北长江铀矿田位于南岭中段诸广山岩体中南部,是我国典型的花岗岩型铀矿田。由于铀矿物在化学组成和成因上的固有属性,前人通过传统的铀矿物U-Pb同位素定年获得的成矿年龄(157～52Ma)变化范围较大且分散,难以有效约束精确的铀成矿时代。本文在精细矿物学研究的基础上,对长江铀矿田棉花坑、书楼坵和长排三个铀矿床的沥青铀矿开展了LA-ICP-MS原位微区U-Pb同位素定年研究。结果表明,棉花坑矿床成矿年龄为60. 8±0. 6Ma和66. 8±1. 6Ma,书楼坵矿床成矿年龄为71. 4±1. 3Ma和74. 4±1. 7Ma,长排矿床成矿年龄为62. 4±2. 5Ma和70. 2±0. 5Ma,总体分为～75Ma、～70Ma和～60Ma三期成矿年龄,代表了华南花岗岩型铀矿的晚期铀矿化。长江铀矿田成矿时代与诸广地区北东向断裂带、断陷盆地的强烈拉张时期(80～60Ma)同步,指示区内铀矿化与南岭地区晚白垩世-古近纪地壳拉张作用有关,区内铀成矿的幔源矿化剂CO_2来自区域性北东向断裂带的拉张作用。综合前人资料,认为诸广地区的铀成矿具同时性和多期性特征,成矿峰期为～140Ma、～125Ma、～105Ma、～90Ma和80～60Ma,成矿统一受制于华南岩石圈伸展的动力学背景,诸广山-南雄盆山体系白垩-古近纪的构造演化可能是促使区域铀矿化形成的主要因素。