The Nopal I uranium deposit located in northern Chihuahua Mexico has been the focus of study for the past 40 years. Information regarding to its formation and evolution through time demonstrate that it has a very complex history. Uranium mineralization occurs in two different styles: uranium oxide uraninite and a secondary phases of silicates (uranophane, soddyite) and oxyhydroxides (schoepite and ianthinite). Petrographic studies have revealed that uraninite is found encapsulated within the host rock (ignimbrites) as fine grains while secondary uranium minerals are filling fractures and micro-veins. Chemical dates from the uranium minerals give a wide range from 0 to 611 Ma; many of the ages may be overestimated since the host rock is 44 Ma. U/Pb isotopic studies demonstrate the presence of common Pb, and after a correction was applied, a new range of dates from 1< to 7 Ma was obtained.

The Nopal I uranium deposit located in northern Chihuahua Mexico has been the focus of study for the past 40 years. Information regarding to its formation and evolution through time demonstrate that it has a very complex history. Uranium mineralization occurs in two different styles: uranium oxide uraninite and a secondary phases of silicates (uranophane, soddyite) and oxyhydroxides (schoepite and ianthinite). Petrographic studies have revealed that uraninite is found encapsulated within the host rock (ignimbrites) as fine grains while secondary uranium minerals are filling fractures and micro-veins. Chemical dates from the uranium minerals give a wide range from 0 to 611 Ma; many of the ages may be overestimated since the host rock is 44 Ma. U/Pb isotopic studies demonstrate the presence of common Pb, and after a correction was applied, a new range of dates from 1< to 7 Ma was obtained.

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document Please note: There is still one map which will be added to this document as soon as it is available / Thesis (DSc (Geology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Geology / unrestricted

The eastern margin of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan is host to several of the highest-grade unconformity-related (U/C-related) uranium deposits in the world. Many researchers agree that uranium deposition occurred due to oxidized basinal brines transporting uranium mixing with reducing fluids or interacting with reduced rock causing uranium to precipitate, although the source of the uranium is still an unresolved and highly debated subject. Boron isotopic signatures, preserved in refractory minerals such as tourmaline, can aid in determining the source of fluids and P-T conditions during crystallization whereas lithium isotopic fractionation is indicative of weathering, hydrothermal alteration, and/or igneous and metamorphic processes. For this study a suite of fresh to strongly altered basement samples were selected from multiple sites below the eastern Athabasca Basin to measure the bulk delta7Li, delta11B and Pb-Pb isotopic signatures. Kinetic modelling of the Li and B isotopic systems suggest that both systems are slightly conservative of their original fluid reservoir, and by calculating the Damkohler numbers (ND) it is predicted that delta11B will be more indicative of the fluid source whereas lithium isotopes will equilibrate over shorter distance. However, both isotopic systems will fractionate with large concentration changes. Significant variations were observed for both delta7Li and delta11B, delta7Li values ranged from 0 to 14 ‰, the range in delta7Li was interpreted to be representative of both partial melting of metasediments to form granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal fluids. In comparison the range for delta11B was much larger from -16 to +17‰, within the dataset there appeared to be regional isotopic differences but unfortunately this dataset was too small to determine regional isotopic patterns. For each region the delta11B for the pegmatites was often heavier than the metasedimentary samples suggesting a metasedimentary source for the granitic pegmatites. Elevated U concentrations and decreasing 207Pb/206Pb ratios in both altered and unaltered samples suggest radiogenic Pb and U are present both in the basement and in fluids transporting U through the basement. Partial digestion 207Pb/206Pb ratios range from the common 207Pb/206Pb ratios of 0.7 to radiogenic 207Pb/206Pb ratios of 0.1. The radiogenic 207Pb/206Pb are indicative of either resetting of residual material during fluid migration or radiogenic fluids sources interacting with the rocks of this study.

Two Paleoproterozoic basins, the western Thelon Basin, and the Otish Basin, Canada, were investigated using basin analysis to evaluate critical factors for the formation of unconformity-related uranium deposits. The results serve to guide ongoing exploration at two under-studied uranium prospects in each basin, and help predict whether or not these basins have the potential to host high-grade uranium deposits in other locations. Sequence stratigraphy, in combination with mineral paragenesis indicates that unmetamorphosed basinal sandstones overlying the Boomerang Lake prospect, western Thelon Basin, were compacted and occluded by kaolinite and muscovite during diagenesis, and became diagenetic aquicludes that were unable to effectively conduct uranium-bearing basinal brines. Based on the high δ18O values of basinal and basement-influenced fluids, and the preservation of pre-Thelon-Basin 40Ar/39Ar dates of poorly-crystalline phyllosilicates in the basement rocks, hydrothermal alteration and uranium mineralization must have occurred at low water/rock ratios. This produced uneconomic amounts of U-bearing phosphate that was misidentified as uraninite in a previous report. A significant uranium deposit is unprobable based on the lack of unsupported radiogenic Pb near the prospect. However, intersections of thick, stratigraphically-higher diagenetic aquifers, which are marked by abundant dickite, and structurally-reactivated basement rocks on a different exploration trend remain the most prospective locations for a uranium deposit in the area. At the Camie River prospect, Otish Basin, diagenesis of basinal sediments in thick diagenetic aquifers was associated with fluids that were isotopically similar to seawater-derived basinal brines. The 1721 ±20 Ma Pb/Pb date obtained for Camie River uraninite coincides with intrusions of the Otish Gabbro, which triggered basinal fluid flow in diagenetic aquifers and uranium mineralization throughout the basin. The effects of late hydrothermal, metamorphic, and meteoric fluid events are restricted to fractures and faults. These zones also preferentially host radiogenic Pb and pathfinder elements that dispersed from the prospect, which can be utilized to vector towards additional deposits. The unconformity-type deposit model can be extended to basins as old as 2.0 Ga, as the Otish Basin demonstrates that atmospheric oxygen contents were high enough at this time to allow the evolution of U-leaching oxidizing basinal brines. / Thesis (Ph.D, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-01-29 15:45:53.651

Uranium deposits associated with Paleoproterozoic successor basins were investigated using structural, petrographic, geochronological and geochemical relationships to understand the character and timing of ore-forming fluids and the structural control on uranium mineralization. The work focused on two successor basins that share similar geological characteristics: the Martin Lake Basin in the Beaverlodge area in Canada, and the El Sherana Basin in the South Alligator River area in Australia. The Beaverlodge area records six temporally distinct stages of U mineralization spatially associated with the Martin Lake successor basin. Early minor stages are hosted in cataclasite and veins at ca. 2.29 Ga and in albitized granite in the Gunnar deposit between ca. 2.3 Ga and 1.9 Ga, which predates the main stage of U mineralization of hydrothermal breccias that formed at ca. 1.85 Ga. Later stages of mineralization are related to minor veins at ca. 1.82 Ga linked to alkaline mafic dikes associated with the Martin Lake Basin and to minor veins at ca. 1.62 Ga corresponding to the timing of unconformity-type U mineralization in the overlying Athabasca Basin. The main breccia-type U mineralizing event that affected all deposits in the Beaverlodge area formed at ca. 1.85 Ma from metamorphic fluids at ca. 330oC linked to metasomatism during regional metamorphism of the Trans-Hudson Orogen. The ore-forming fluids were likely derived from metamorphic remobilization of pre-existing U-rich basement rocks, and ascended upward along deep fracture systems that resulted from brittle reactivation of early ductile shear zones. The main event of U mineralization in the South Alligator River area formed at ca. 1.82 Ma, subsequent to deposition of the El Sherana Group at 1.84-1.83 Ma. The formation of these deposits is related to fluids derived from diagenetic processes in sandstone of the El Sherana Group. Mineralization formed when a 250oC, low latitude, oxidizing, U-bearing basinal brine from diagenetic aquifers in the Coronation sandstone descended downward into the unconformity along fracture systems created by brittle reactivation of the El Sherana-Palette fault system. Uranium deposits associated with successor basins in the Beaverlodge and South Alligator River area are older than those in the U-rich Athabasca and Kombolgie basins. Rocks that host these deposits have been folded, and then exhumed during subsequent tectonic events. These older U deposits can be considered as a potential source for detrital uraninite that fed sediments of the Athabasca and Kombolgie basins and therefore contributed to the inventory of uranium that formed unconformity-related U mineralization in the younger basins. Therefore, the occurrence of older U mineralization associated with successor basins can be considered as positive criterion for exploration of unconformity-related U mineralization in younger Paleoproterozoic basins. / Thesis (Ph.D, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-08-13 18:54:41.141

Nenhuma / Análises por Difratometria de Raios-X e Espectroscopia de Infravermelho (FTIR) revelaram que a mineralização secundária de urânio dos albititos da Jazida Cachoeira e Ocorrência das Laranjeiras, situadas na região de Lagoa Real Caetité BA, é predominantemente constituída pelos seguintes hidroxisilicatos de uranila: &#946;-Uranofano - Ca[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2.5(H2O); Uranofano - Ca[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2.5(H2O); Sklodowskita - Mg[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2.6(H2O); Haiweeita - Ca[(UO2)Si5O12(OH)2].3(H2O); Utilizando-se apenas a Difratometria de Raios-X, os seguintes fosfatos de uranila também puderam ser caracterizados: Autunita - Ca[(UO2)(PO4)]2 . 8-12(H2O); Meta-autunita - Ca[(UO2)(PO4)]2 .6-8(H2O); A coloração natural amarelada característica dos minerais acima foi também encontrada pela mesma metodologia em calcitas e albitas levemente intemperizadas, que estiveram presentes no material coletado para análise. Assim, nem todo material de coloração amarela associado aos albititos uraníferos representa, de fato, mineral secundário de urânio. &#946;-Uranofano, Uranofano, Sklodowskita e Haiweeita teriam sido resultantes da interação entre os cátions Ca+2, Mg+2 e UO2+2 e os complexos aniônicos do tipo hidroxisilicato. Esses íons são provenientes do intemperismo que afetou os principais tipos petrográficos (granitos, gnaisses e albititos) existentes na região. O íon Ca+2 foi liberado pelo intemperismo de minerais tais como piroxênio, plagioclásio não albítico e calcita. O íon Mg+2 foi liberado pela alteração dos anfibólios e biotitas e o íon uranila a partir da oxidação do U+4 presente nas uraninitas disseminadas nos albititos. A origem do Ca+2 e do íon uranila da autunita e meta-autunita é a mesma descrita acima. Os íons PO4-3 são provenientes do intemperismo de apatitas e monazitas dos granitos e ortognaisses da região. Um modelo geoquímico que permite explicar a formação dos hidroxisilicatos de uranila caracterizados neste trabalho segue a seguinte ordem de eventos: Oxidação do U+4 presente nas uraninitas (UO2) a U+6 que se manifesta sob a forma de íon uranila (UO2+2); Hidrólise do íon uranila e respectiva formação dos complexos de hidróxidos de uranila (de baixa estabilidade); Dissociação dos complexos de hidróxidos de uranila e hidrólise dos íons carbonato provenientes da calcita, resultando na elevação do pH das águas subterrâneas, o que favorece a solubilização da sílica dos minerais silicáticos dos albititos e explica o surgimento de hidroxisilicatos de uranila com Ca+2 ou Mg+2; Intensificação da dissociação dos complexos de hidróxidos de uranila, que desloca o equilíbrio da hidrólise dos íons carbonato, favorecendo o aparecimento de complexos carbonatados de uranila, estáveis em solução aquosa, e limita a formação de hidroxisilicatos de uranila. A mineralização secundária de urânio caracterizada neste estudo indica a existência, no perfil de alteração, de um lençol freático duradouro em um passado geológico recente, capaz de manter os albititos uraníferos em constante contato com a água, sem a qual os processos acima descritos não teriam sido desencadeados. Com o rebaixamento do nível do lençol freático conduzido pela erosão em passado geológico ainda mais recente, os minerais secundários de uranila foram expostos, permitindo o entendimento das alterações físico-químicas sofridas pelos albititos uraníferos de Lagoa Real. A não caracterização de sulfatos e carbonatos de uranila confirma a inexistência de um ambiente de forte evaporação. / X Ray Diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis reveal that the following uranyl hidroxisilicates mainly constitute the uranium secondary mineralogy from albitites of the Cachoeira and Laranjeiras uranium anomalies (Lagoa Real BA Brazil): &#946;-Uranophane-Ca[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2.5(H2O); Uranophane-Ca[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2.5(H2O); Sklodowskite-Mg[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2.6(H2O); Haiweeite-Ca[(UO2)Si5O12(OH)2].3(H2O). Using only the X Ray Diffraction, the uranyl phosphates below were also characterized: Autunite - Ca[(UO2)(PO4)]2 . 8-12(H2O); Meta-autunite - Ca[(UO2)(PO4)]2 .6-8(H2O); The natural yellowish color of the above minerals was also found by the same analytical methodology in slightly weathered calcites and albites of the sampled material. Thus, yellowish materials from uraniferous albitites do not represent only uranyl minerals. &#946;-Uranophane, Uranophane, Sklodowskite and Haiweeite resulted from the interaction between Ca+2, Mg+2 and UO2+2 cationic species and hidroxisilicate anionic complexes. These ions originated from the weathering that affected the mineralogy of the albitites, granites and gneisses found in the Lagoa Real uranium district. The Ca+2 ion came from pyroxenes, calcium plagioclase and calcite. The Mg+2 came from amphiboles and biotites. The mobile ion uranyl (hexavalent U) came from the uraninite (UO2) by the U+4 oxidation. The Ca+2 and uranyl íons of the autunite and meta-autunite originated in the same way as above. The PO4-3 ions came from the weathering that affected the apatites and monazites of the granites and gneisses. A geochemical model allowing the formation of the aforementioned uranyl hidroxisilicates could beas follows: 1. U+4 oxidation to U+6 which appears as the mobile uranyl ion [UO2]+2. 2. Uranyl hydrolysis and formation of the uranyl hydroxide complexes (low stability). 3. Dissociation of the uranyl hydroxide complexes and hydrolysis of the carbonate ions from calcite, resulting in groundwater pH increasing which improves the silica dissolution from silicatic minerals and consequent precipitation of the uranyl hidroxisilicates with Ca e Mg. 4. Intensification of the dissociation of uranyl hydroxide complexes, which dislocates the equilibrium of the carbonate ion hydrolysis, allowing the formation of the uranyl carbonate complexes (stable in aqueous solution), and limits the formation of uranyl hidroxisilicates. The Lagoa Real uranium secondary mineralogy indicates the existence of a permanent groundwater table in the weathering profile during a recent geological past.The climatic oscilation of it maintains the uraniferous albitites in permanent contact with water, allowing the formation of [UO2]+2 and its gheochemical immobilization by the [XO4]x-ou {[XO4][OH]}y- found in the rockpores as well. The erosion in a more recent geological past lowered the groundwater sheet and exposed this uranium secondary mineralogy at the surface. The inexistence of uranyl sulfates and carbonates corroborates the lack of a strong evaporation setting during the formation of the Lagoa Real uranium secondary mineralogy.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir para o conhecimento sobre a gênese da Jazida de Urânio Cachoeira (Lagoa Real, BA), caracterizando piroxênios (com ênfase nos associados à mineralização uranífera e que hospedam inclusões fluidas) e suas inclusões associadas. Em função das análises realizadas, foram descritos, de maneira geral, os passos que devem ser seguidos para obtenção e nterpretação de dados, em inclusões fluidas (IF), na linha D09B XRF Fluorescência de Raios-X do Laboratório Nacional de Luz síncrotron (LNLS), Campinas, SP. As análises dos piroxênios revelaram augita, diopsídio e aegirina-augita, havendo também termos intermediários, por exemplo entre augita e diopsídio. Os piroxênios apresentaram inclusões fluidas bifásicas e trifásicas (que podiam apresentar fase sólida birrefringente), sendo algumas possivelmente primárias. Os piroxênios apresentaram, também, inclusões sólidas. A análise de algumas inclusões sólidas revelou tratarem-se de albita, que provavelmente é anterior ao piroxênio hospedeiro. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que os piroxênios estudados estão associados a uma importante fase de metassomatismo cálcico. Tais piroxênios não estariam totalmente associados à precipitação do minério uranífero. No estudo petrográfico das amostras chamou a atenção, a identificação de duas gerações de plagioclásios, uma fortemente alterada e outra menos alterada. A luz síncrotron, utilizada para estudo de IF, é uma poderosa ferramenta de análise. Foi constatado que cuidados na preparação da amostra, como a seleção de IF superficiais, são muito importantes para se obter um bom dado. Devido principalmente a fatores experimentais, somente o vanádio foi detectado em maior quantidade na área que continha as IF (no piroxênio), em relação à área branca, nos estudos com luz síncrotron. A ocorrência de tal elemento é de difícil interpretação. Estudos futuros, envolvendo as inclusões fluidas e sólidas do piroxênio, e de outros minerais, serão importantes para compreender a Jazida Cachoeira. A pesquisa de U em IF, mediante uso da luz síncrotron, será também de grande importância. / This work had as objective to contribute for the knowledge about the genesis of the Cachoeira uranium deposit (Lagoa Real Uranium Province, Bahia State, Brazil), characterizing pyroxenes (with emphasis in those associated with the uranium mineralization and those hosting inclusions) of the deposit and their associated inclusions. In function of the accomplished analyses, steps that should be followed to obtain and interpret data from fluid inclusions (FI), in the D09B XRF X-Ray Fluorescence Beam Line of the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Campinas, Brazil, have been described. The analyzed pyroxenes are augites, diopsides and aegirine-augites, and intermediate terms, for example between augite and diopside, were detected. They presented two and three phases fluid inclusions being some, possible, primary ones. The three phases FI could present a birefringent solid phase. The pyroxenes presented, also, solid inclusions. The analysis of some solid inclusions revealed that they were albites. These albites are, probably, previous to the pyroxene host mineral. The obtained results indicated that the studied pyroxenes are associated to an important phase of calcic metasomatism. These pyroxenes are not totally associated to the precipitation of the uranium. In the petrographic study of the samples, two types of plagioclase were identified, one very altered and other less altered. Synchrotron light is a powerful tool for analyze FI. It was verified that care in the preparation of the sample, such as the selection of near-surface FI, are very important to obtain reliable data. In the studies with synchrotron light only the vanadium was detected in larger amount in the area that contained FI (in pyroxene), in relation to the control area, due, mainly, to experimental factors. The presence of this element its not easy to interpret. Additional studies, on solid and fluid inclusion in pyroxene, and in other minerals, will be important to understand the Cachoeira uranium deposit. The research of U in FI, using synchrotron light, will be of great importance as well.

The geochemistry of surface media above two known U deposits were examined to observe any possible dispersion products could be detected from them, and based on these findings, improved geochemical exploration techniques are proposed to reduce cost of finding undiscovered U resources. This study examined the materials overlying the Phoenix deposits, which have indicated resources of approximately 58.2 million lbs U3O8 grading 15 wt% that lie at 400 m depth below surface at the unconformity between the overlying Athabasca sandstones and Paleoproterozoic basement rocks. Aqua regia digestion, ammonium acetate at pH 5 and hydroxylamine leaches revealed U, Pb, Co, Ni, Mo, and W anomalies in humus and U, W and As anomalies in B-horizon soils above the ore zones and the basement location of a deposit-hosting, northeast-trending “WS Hanging Wall” shear zone over a three year period. These metal signatures suggest likely upward transport of metals from the deposits to overlying sandstones, and subsequently into the overlying till and soils. This study also looked at materials above the Millennium U deposit, which has indicated resources of 68.2 million lbs U3O8 grading 4 wt% at ~750 m depth that occurs along a major fault in granites & metamorphosed pelites of Paleoproterozoic age below the Athabasca sandstones. Soil samples taken over the surface projections of an ore-hosting fault and the ore zone yielded anomalous values in U, Ni, Cu and Pb in aqua regia digestion of humus and U, Cu and Pb values in ammonium acetate leach of pH 5 of B-horizon soils. Hydroxylamine leach did not yield as many anomalies as ammonium acetate leach. Measured 4He/36Ar ratios of gas dissolved in water-filled drill holes were observed to be up to about 700 times the atmosphere value for air-saturated water, revealing the presence of radiogenic 4He that was likely produced from decaying U and released in the groundwater above the deposit. Our results suggest upward migration of metals to surface through porous sandstone and fault systems at Phoenix, and upward migration of metals along faults and He gas at Millennium. Both studies indicate the importance of the traverse method of sampling over targets perpendicular to the last major ice-flow event to discern U deposits that are defined by other means.

The geochemistry of surface media above two known U deposits were examined to observe any possible dispersion products could be detected from them, and based on these findings, improved geochemical exploration techniques are proposed to reduce cost of finding undiscovered U resources. This study examined the materials overlying the Phoenix deposits, which have indicated resources of approximately 58.2 million lbs U3O8 grading 15 wt% that lie at 400 m depth below surface at the unconformity between the overlying Athabasca sandstones and Paleoproterozoic basement rocks. Aqua regia digestion, ammonium acetate at pH 5 and hydroxylamine leaches revealed U, Pb, Co, Ni, Mo, and W anomalies in humus and U, W and As anomalies in B-horizon soils above the ore zones and the basement location of a deposit-hosting, northeast-trending “WS Hanging Wall” shear zone over a three year period. These metal signatures suggest likely upward transport of metals from the deposits to overlying sandstones, and subsequently into the overlying till and soils. This study also looked at materials above the Millennium U deposit, which has indicated resources of 68.2 million lbs U3O8 grading 4 wt% at ~750 m depth that occurs along a major fault in granites & metamorphosed pelites of Paleoproterozoic age below the Athabasca sandstones. Soil samples taken over the surface projections of an ore-hosting fault and the ore zone yielded anomalous values in U, Ni, Cu and Pb in aqua regia digestion of humus and U, Cu and Pb values in ammonium acetate leach of pH 5 of B-horizon soils. Hydroxylamine leach did not yield as many anomalies as ammonium acetate leach. Measured 4He/36Ar ratios of gas dissolved in water-filled drill holes were observed to be up to about 700 times the atmosphere value for air-saturated water, revealing the presence of radiogenic 4He that was likely produced from decaying U and released in the groundwater above the deposit. Our results suggest upward migration of metals to surface through porous sandstone and fault systems at Phoenix, and upward migration of metals along faults and He gas at Millennium. Both studies indicate the importance of the traverse method of sampling over targets perpendicular to the last major ice-flow event to discern U deposits that are defined by other means.