Abstract
Uranium is used as a fuel mineral for nuclear power, and in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. In this chapter we begin by briefly reviewing the adequacy of uranium resources to supply an expanding nuclear industry and then consider the relative importance of the principal deposit types. The diversity of uranium occurrences precludes a detailed consideration of each deposit type but the reader is referred to Nash et al. (1981) for an excellent overview of the subject. We have selected unconformity and sandstone-type deposits for particular consideration. The reasons are partly because together they constitute more than 60% of World resources but also because they serve to illustrate contrasting approaches to exploration. Uranium contained in quartz—pebble conglomerates is discussed in Chapter 5.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Adams, S. S., Starr Curtis, H., Hafen, P. L. and Salek-Nejad, H. (1978) Interpretation of post-depositional processes related to the formation and destruction of the Jackpile-Paguate uranium deposit, N.W. New Mexico.Econ. Geol., 73, 1635–1654.
Adler, H. H. (1974) Concepts of uranium ore formation in reducing environments in sandstones and other sediments. In Formation of Uranium Ore Deposits, Proceedings of a symposium organized by the Intl Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1974, pp. 141–166.
Armstrong, C. W. and Brewster, N. E. (1980) A comparison of exploration techniques in Saskatchewan and the Northern Territory. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), I.A.E.A., Vienna, pp. 733–741.
Beck, L. S. (1969) Uranium deposits of the Athabasca region, Saskatchewan. Sask. Dept. Min. Res. Rep. 126.
Binns, R. A., McAndrew, J. and Sun, S.-S. (1980) Origin of uranium mineralisation at Jabiluka. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), I.A.E.A., Vienna, pp. 543–562.
Blake, D. A. W. (1956) Geological notes on the region south of Lake Athabasca and Black Lake, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Geol. Surv. Pap. Can., 55(33), 12.
Bowie, S. H. U. (1981) World and U.K. nuclear fuels. Assessment of energy resources. The Watt Committee on Energy. Report No. 9, 51–55.
Cooper, J. A. (1973) On the age of uranium mineralisation at Nabarlek N.T. Australia. J. Geol. Soc. Austr., 19, 483–486.
Crick, I. H. and Muir, M. D. (1980) Evaporites and uranium mineralisation in the Pine Creek geosyncline. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), I.A.E.A., Vienna, pp. 531–542.
Dahlkamp, F. J. (1978a) Geologic appraisal of the Key Lake U-Ni deposits, N. Saskatchewan, Canada. Econ. Geol, 73, 1430–1449.
Dahlkamp, F. J. (1978b) Classification of uranium deposits. Miner. Deposita, 13(1), 83–104.
Dahlkamp, F. J. and Tan, B. (1977) Geology and mineralogy of the Key Lake U-Ni deposits, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. In Geology, Mining and Extractive Processing of Uranium (ed. M. J. Jones), Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, pp. 145–157.
Darmayan, P. (1981) The balance of supply and demand: a reassessment. In Uranium and Nuclear Energy: 1980, Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium held by the Uranium Institute, London, pp. 13–22.
Derry, D. R. (1973) Ore deposition and contemporaneous surfaces.Econ. Geol, 68, 1374–1380.
Dodd, P. H., Drouillard, R. F. and Lathan, C. P. (1970) Borehole logging methods for exploration and evaluation of uranium deposits.Geol Surv. Can. Econ. Geol Rep., 26.
Dooley, Jr., J. R., Harshman, E. N. and Rosholt, J. N. (1974) Uranium—lead ages of the uranium deposits of the Gas Hills and Shirley Basin, Wyoming.Econ. Geol, 69, 527–531.
Eargle, D. H. and Weeks, A. M. D. (1973) Geologic relations among uranium deposits, south Texas coastal plain region U.S.A. In Ores in Sediments (eds G. C. Amstutz and A.J. Bernard), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 101–113.
Eupene, G. S., Fee, P. H. and Colville, R. G. (1975) Ranger One Uranium Deposits. In Economic Geology of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ed. C. L. Knight), Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Parkville, Victoria, pp. 308–316.
Ewers, G. R. and Ferguson, J. (1980) Mineralogy of the Jabiluka, Ranger, Koongarra and Nabarlek uranium deposits. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A.B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 363–374.
Ferguson, J. (1980) Metamorphism in the Pine Creek geosyncline and its bearing on stratigraphic correlations. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A.B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 91–100.
Ferguson, J., Ewers, G. R. and Donnelly, T. H. (1980) Model for the development of economic uranium mineralisation in the Alligator Rivers uranium field. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 563–574.
Ferguson, J. and Goleby, A. B (eds) (1980) Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline, I.A.E.A., Vienna, 758 pp.
Ferguson, J. and Winer, P. (1980) Pine Creek geosyncline: statistical treatment of whole rock chemical data. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 191–208.
Fischer, R. P. (1968) The uranium and vanadium deposits of the Colorado Plateau region. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967. The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, pp. 735–746.
Fraser, W.J. (1980) Geology and exploration of the Rum Jungle Uranium Field. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 287–298.
Gabelman, J. W. (1977) Migration of uranium and thorium — exploration significance. Studies in Geology No. 3 American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 149 pp.
Gatzweiler, R., Schmeling, B. and Tan, B. (1981) Exploration of the Key Lake uranium deposits, Saskatchewan, Canada. In Uranium Exploration Case Histories, Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 195–220.
Giblin, A. M. (1980) The role of clay adsorption in genesis of uranium ores. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna., pp. 521–530.
Goldhaber, M. B., Reynold, R. L. and Rye, R. O. (1983) Role of fluid mixing and fault related sulphide in the origin of the Ray Point Uranium District, South Texas. Econ. Geol., 78, 1043–1063.
Granger, H. C. and Warren, C. G. (1969) Unstable sulfur compounds and the origin of roll-type uranium deposits. Econ. Geol., 64, 160–171.
Gustafson, L. B. and Curtis, L. W. (1983) Post- Kombolgie metasomatism at Jabiluka, Northern Territory, Australia and its significance in the formation of high grade uranium mineralisation in Lower Proterozoicrocks. Econ. Geol., 78, 1–25.
Hambleton-Jones, B. B. (1978) Theory and practice of geochemical prospecting for uranium. Min. Sei. Eng., 10(3), 182–197.
Hansuld, J. A. (1967) Eh and pH in geochemical prospecting. Geol. Surv. Can. Pap. 66(54), 172–187.
Harshman, E. N. (1968a) Uranium Deposits of Wyoming and South Dakota. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967, The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge) Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, New York, pp. 815–831.
Harshman, E. N. (1968b) Uranium deposits in the Eocene sandstones of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967, The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, New York, pp. 838–848.
Hawkins, W. K. and Gearhart, M. (1969) Gamma-ray logging in uranium prospecting. InNuclear Techniques and Mineral Resources, Int. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 213–222.
Haynes, D.W. (1979) Geological technology in mineral resource exploration. In Mineral Resources of Australia (eds D. F. Kelsall and J. T. Woodcock), Australian Academy of Technical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, pp. 73–96.
Hegge, M. R., Mosher, D. V., Eupene, G. S. and Anthony, P. J. (1980) Geological setting of the East Alligator uranium deposits and prospects. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A.B. Goleby), I.A.E.A., Vienna, pp. 259–272.
Hills, J. H. and Richards, J. R. (1972) The age of uranium mineralization in northern Australia. Search, 3, 382–385.
Hills, J. H. and Richards, J. R. (1976) Pitchblende and galena ages in the Alligator Rivers region N.T. Australia. Miner. Deposita, 11, 133–154.
Hoeve, J. and Sibbald, T. I. I. (1978a) On the genesis of Rabbit Lake and other unconformity-type uranium deposits in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.Econ. Geol., 73, 1450–1474.
Hoeve, J. and Sibbald, T. I. I. (1978b) Mineralogy and geological settings of unconformity-type uranium deposits in Northern Saskatchewan. In Uranium Deposits: Their Mineralogy and Origin (ed. M. M. Kimberley), Mineralogical Association of Canada, Canada Books International, London, pp. 457–472.
Hostetler, P. B. and Garrels, R. M. (1962) Transportation and precipitation of uranium and vanadium at low temperatures, with special reference to sandstone-type uranium deposits. Econ. Geol, 57, 137–167.
Huber, G. C. (1980) Stratigraphy and uranium deposits, Lisbon Valley District, San Juan County, Utah. Color. Sch. Mines Q., 75(2), 1–45.
Johns, R. W. (1970) The Athabasca sandstone and uranium deposits. Western Miner, Oct., 42–52.
Kelley, V. C., Kittel, D. F. and Melancon, P. E. (1968) Uranium deposits of the Grants Region. In Ore Deposits of the United States, 1933–1967. The Graton- Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, pp. 747–770.
Langmuir, D. (1978) Uranium solution-mineral equilibria at low temperatures with applications to sedimentary ore deposits.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 42, 547–569.
McAndrew, J. and Finlay, C. J. (1980) The nature and significance of the occurrence of uranium in the Nanambu complex of the Pine Creek geosyncline. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Ind. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 357–362.
McH. Clark R. J., Homeniuk, L. A. and Bonnar, R. (1982) Uranium geology in the Athabasca and a comparison with other Canadian Proterozoic basins. CIM Bull., 75(840), 91–98.
Malan, R. C. (1968) The uranium mining industry and geology of the Monument Valley and White Canyon Districts, Arizona and Utah. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967. The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, pp. 790–804.
Miller, D. S. and Kulp, J. L. (1963) Isotope evidence on the origin of the Colorado Plateau uranium ores. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 74, 609–630.
Mitchell, A. H. and Reading, H. G. (1969) Continental margins, geosynclines, and ocean floor spreading. J. Geol., 77, 629 pp.
Mitchell, A. H. G. and Garson, M. S. (1981) Mineral Deposits and Global Tectonic Settings, Academic Press Geology Series, London, 405 pp.
Morton, R. D. (1977) The Western and Northern Australian uranium deposits — exploration guides or exploration deterrents for Saskatchewan? In Uranium in Saskatchewan (ed. C. E. Dunn), Sask. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 3, 211–254.
Motica, J. E. (1968) Geology and uranium-vanadium deposits in the Uravan mineral belt, S.W. Colorado. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967, The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, pp. 805–814.
Mrak, V. A. (1968) Uranium deposits in the Eocene sandstones of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967, The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, pp. 839–848.
Nash, J. T., Granger, H. C. and Adams, S. S. (1981) Geology and concepts of genesis of important types of uranium deposits. Econ. Geol. 75th Anniv. Vol., 63–116.
Needham, R. S., Crick, I. H. and Stuart-Smith, P. G. (1980) Regional geology of the Pine Creek geosyncline. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 1–22.
Needham, R. S. and Roarty, M.J. (1980) An overview of metallic mineralisation in the Pine Creek geosyncline. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 157–174.
Page, R. W., Compston, W. and Needham, R. S. (1980) Geochronology and evolution of the late Archaean basement and Proterozoic rocks in the Alligator Rivers Uranium Field, Northern Territory, Australia. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 39–68.
Pagel, M. (1977) Microthermometry and chemical analysis of fluid inclusions from the Rabbit Lake uranium deposit, Saskatchewan. Can. Inst. Min. Metall. Trans, 86, 157.
Pagel, M., Poty, B. and Sheppard, S. M. F. (1980) Contribution to some Saskatchewan uranium deposits mainly from fluid inclusion and isotopic data. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 639–654.
Patterson, J. A. (1980) Long term uranium supply outlook. In Uranium and Nuclear Energy: 1980, Proceedings of 5th International Symposium held by the Uranium Institute, London, pp. 64–85.
Porter, D. A. (1981) Exploration of Bernabe Montano Complex of uranium deposits, New Mexico, U.S.A. In Uranium Exploration Case Histories, Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 279–291.
Rackley, R. I. (1976) Origin of Western-states type uranium mineralization. In Handbook of Stratabound and Stratiform Ore Deposits (ed. K. H. Wolf), Elsevier, Amsterdam, Vol. 7, pp. 89–152.
Reynolds, R. L., Goldhaber, M. B. and Carpenter, D.J. (1982) Biogenic and non-biogenic ore-forming mechanisms in the south Texas uranium district: evidence from the Panna Maria deposit. Econ. Geol., 77, 541–556.
Riese, W. C., Lee, M. J., Brookings, D. G. and Delia Valle, R. (1978) Application of trace element geochemistry to prospecting for sandstone-type uranium deposits. In Geochemical Exploration 1978 (eds J. R. Watterson and P. K. Theobald), Proc. 7th Int. Geochem. Expl. Symp., pp. 47–64.
Roberts, D. E. and Hudson, G. R. T. (1983) The Olympic Dam copper-uranium—gold deposit, Roxby Downs, South Australia. Econ. Geol., 78, 799–822.
Robertson, D. S. and Lattanzi, C. R. (1974) Uranium deposits of Canada. Geosci. Can., 1, 8–19.
Rowntree, J. C. and Mosher, D. V. (1981) Discovery of the Jabiluka uranium deposits, East Alligator River Region, Northern Territory of Australia. InUranium Exploration Case Histories, Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 171–194.
Ryan, G. R. (1972) Ranger 1: a case history. In Uranium Prospecting Handbook, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, pp. 296–300.
Sandford, R. F. (1982) Preliminary model of regional Mesozoic groundwater flow and uranium deposition in the Colorado Plateau. Geology, 10, 348–352.
Saracoglu, N., Wallis, R. H. and Brummer, J.J. (1983) The McClean uranium deposits, northern Saskatchewan — discovery. CIM Bull, 76(852), 63–79.
Scott, F. (1981) MidWest Lake uranium discovery, Saskatchewan, Canada. In Uranium Exploration Case Histories, Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 221–242.
Shockley, P. N., Rackley, R. I. and Dahill, M. P. (1968) Source beds and solution fronts. Remarks Wyo. Met. Sect. Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, Feb. 27, 7 pp.
Strnad, J. G. (1980) Genetic models and their impact on uranium exploration in the Athabasca sandstone basin, Saskatchewan, Canada. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A.B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 631–638.
Stuart-Smith, P. G., Wills, K., Crick, I. H. and Needham, R. S. (1980) Evolution of the Pine Creek geosyncline. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 23–38.
Tremblay, L. P. (1978) Geological setting of the Beaverlodge type of vein-uranium deposit and its comparison to that of the unconformity type. In Uranium Deposits: Their Mineralogy and Origin (ed. M. M. Kimberley), Mineralogical Association of Canada, Canada Books International, London, pp. 431–455.
Tripathi, V. S. (1979) Comments on ‘Uranium solution-mineral equilibria at low temperatures with applications to sedimentary ore deposits’.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 43, 1989–1990.
Uranium — Resources, Production and Demand (1983) A joint report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Nuclear Energy Agency and the Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, December 1983, 348 pp.
Waters, A. C. and Granger, H. C. (1953) Volcanic debris in uraniferous sandstones and its possible bearing on the origin of precipitation of uranium. U.S. Geol Surv. Circ., 224, 26 pp.
Wedepohl, K. H. (1972) Hand-book of Geochemistry, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Wood, H. B. (1968) Geology and exploitation of uranium deposits in the Lisbon Valley area, Utah. In Ore Deposits of the United States 1933–1967, The Graton-Sales Volume (ed. J. D. Ridge), Am. Inst. Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, pp. 771–789.
World Uranium (1980) World Uranium: Geology and Resource Potential, International Uranium Resources Evaluation Project, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency, 524 pp.
Ypma, P.J. M. and Fuzikawa, K. (1980) Fluidinclusion and oxygen isotope studies of the Nabarlek and Jabiluka uranium deposits, Northern Territory, Australia. In Uranium in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (eds J. Ferguson and A. B. Goleby), Intl. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 375–396.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 R. P. Edwards and K. Atkinson
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Edwards, R., Atkinson, K. (1986). Uranium ores of sedimentary affiliation. In: Ore Deposit Geology and its Influence on Mineral Exploration. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8056-6_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8056-6_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-8058-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-8056-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive