Genetic models and exploration implication of the paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Erlian Basin, North China – A review and comparative study

doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103821

Ore Geology Reviews

Volume 127, December 2020, 103821

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103821 Get rights and content

Highlights

•
Three styles of paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits are identified.
•
The ore-bearing Saihan Formation is divided into four intervals.
•
Sources for uranium mineralization include uplifted granites and oxidized clasts.

Abstract

Since the Bayanwula uranium deposit was discovered, several paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits have been found in the Manite and Wulanchabu sub-basins of the Erlian Basin. The paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Erlian Basin represent important uranium sources in North China. The regional geological settings, depositional facies and sequences, ore-bearing sand bodies and uranium source rocks (e.g., granite and sandstones), play important roles in the formation of these deposits. Three styles of paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits occur in the Erlian Basin: 1) interlayer oxidation-style deposit hosted in the braided river sand bodies of the Saihan Formation and characterized by laterally zoned mineralization; 2) phreatic oxidation -style deposits hosted in meandering river sand bodies of the Saihan Formation, showing vertically zoned oxidized mineralization; 3) superimposed mineralization -style deposits hosted in braided river sand bodies of the Saihan Formation, characterized by an oxidized zone from fluvial channel center to margin, which was then overprinted by hydrothermal fluids. These three styles of the uranium deposits depend on depositional microfacies and development of deep-seated faults, which can be used to locate the mineralization and exploration targets within the Erlian Basin.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Sandstone-type uranium deposit, accounting for about 40 percent of the total uranium reserve, is one of the most important uranium resources worldwide at present (IAEA, 2016). Paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits (PCSUDs) are a sub-type of sandstone-type uranium deposits (IAEA, 2018), which have been discovered in Central Asia, Australia and America (Chen, 1999, Shor et al., 2002, Hou et al., 2017). In virtue of the invaluable exploration and research experiences from Central Asia, which has comparable geological setting as North China (Min et al., 2005, Dai et al., 2015), a number of sandstone-type uranium deposits have also been found in North China in recent years (Nie et al., 2007, Nie et al., 2015b, Jiao et al., 2012, Bonnetti et al., 2015a, Hou et al., 2017).

The Erlian Basin, as a rift-type basin in North China, possesses abundant uranium resources (Ren et al., 1998, Bonnetti et al., 2014). In the paleo-channels developed in the Manite and Wulanchabu sub-basins, a number of medium (3,000 to 10,000 tons uranium) to large-sized (≥10,000 tons uranium) uranium deposits have been discovered during last decades (Nie et al., 2010a, Nie et al., 2015a, Liu et al., 2017). In addition, fluvial sandstones are also the ore-bearing (Nie et al., 2007, Nie et al., 2015b, Bonnetti et al., 2015a). There are many differences among these deposits in terms of mineralization characteristics, sedimentary characteristics of the host rocks, orebody shapes, and mineral assemblages (Nie et al., 2015a, Nie et al., 2015b, Liu et al., 2017).

In order to provide insights into the genesis of the PCSUDs in the Erlian Basin and to develop new prospecting ideas for the rift-type basins in North China, the present study attempts to clarify the metallogenic characteristics of PCSUDs discovered in the Manite and Wulanchabu sub-basins, based on core observation and sedimentary facies analysis, combined with mineralogical, geochemical and geophysical data. The newly developed genetic models may be used for exploring such type of uranium deposits in the Erlian Basin as well as in other basins with similar metallogenic settings elsewhere in the world.

Section snippets

Geologic setting

The Erlian Basin contains six tectonic units, i.e., the Chuanjing, Wulanchubu, Manite, Wunite and Tenggeer sub-basins, and the Sunite uplift. The NE-trending basin is flanked by the Daxing’anling Mountains to the east, the Wedu’ermiao Uplift to the south, and the Suolunshan and Bayinbaolige Uplifts to the south and southwest, respectively (Nie et al., 2015a). The basin, located above a complex suture zone between the North China and Siberian cratons, was developed as a rift-type basin during

Analysis on sedimentary facies

Over the past few years, detailed analysis of the Weijing granite in the northwestern uplift of sedimentary facies was conducted based on studies of provenance and petrographic characterization of a number of drill cores. Through comprehensive analysis of drilling data, the lateral changes of the lithology and sedimentary facies were investigated, and the distribution of ore bodies was revealed.

Mineralogical study

Twenty samples were selected from the Hadatu deposit, which include 5 oxidized sandstone samples, 10

Subdivision of the Saihan Fm

Based on the lithology, change of grain size, color of clasts, and depositional facies, the Saihan Fm is divided into 4 intervals, named Saihan Fm 1, 2, 3 and 4 from bottom to up, of which, Saihan Fm 3 is the main uranium-bearing interval.

Sedimentation

The Saihan Fm is divided into four intervals; three of them (intervals 1 to 3) are preserved in the Manite sub-basin and four of them occur in the Wulachabu sub-basin. Fig. 12 shows the relationship between sand bodies and depositional microfacies in the Manite sub-basin. In Saihan Fm 1, the poorly-sorted sandstone was formed in an alluvial environment. In Saihan Fm 2, an impermeable layer confining the interlayered oxidation mineralization, is composed of lacustrine mudstone that contains

Conclusions

(1)
There are multiple uranium sources contributing to the formation of the PCSUDs in the Erlian Basin: 1) U-rich granites from the edges and uplifted areas of the Erlian Basin, and 2) U-rich sedimentary rocks, particularly those derived from the granites.
(2)
Three styles of uranium mineralization for the PCSUDs in the Erlian Basin have been identified: 1) uranium mineralization hosted by Saihan Fm 3 through lateral interlayered oxidation seepage of the UOFs, 2) uranium mineralization hosted by Saihan

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgements

This study was co-funded by the National Important Basic Research Program of China (grant number 2015CB453002), National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 41772068, 41562006, 40972067), State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environments (NRE1809), and fund of theResearch Project of China National Uranium Co., Ltd. (201928-3) . We are highly thankful to Geologic Party No.208, China National Nuclear Corporation for the permission to examine cores and field work

References (47)

C. Bonnetti et al.
The Nuheting deposit, Erlian Basin, NE China: synsedimentary to diagenetic uranium mineralization
Ore Geol. Rev.
(2015)
C. Bonnetti et al.
Sedimentology, stratigraphy and palynological occurrences of the late Cretaceous Erlian Formation, Erlian Basin, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
Cretaceous Res.
(2014)
C.F. Cai et al.
Biogenic and petroleum-related ore-forming processes in Dongsheng uranium deposit, NW China
Ore Geol. Rev.
(2007)
S.S. Chen et al.
Geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic constraints on the petrogenesis of late Cenozoic basalts from the Abaga area, Inner Mongolia, eastern China
J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res.
(2015)
S.F. Dai et al.
Geochemical and mineralogical evidence for a coal-hosted uranium deposit in the Yili Basin, Xinjiang, northwestern China
Ore Geol. Rev.
(2015)
Z.B. Feng et al.
Spatial-temporal collocation and genetic relationship among uranium, coal, and hydrocarbons and its significance for uranium prospecting: a case from the Mesozoic-Cenozoic uraniferous basins, North China
Russian Geol. Geophys.
(2017)
B.H. Hou et al.
Paleovalley-related uranium deposits in Australia and China: a review of geological and exploration models and methods
Ore Geol. Rev.
(2017)
M.Z. Min et al.
Mineral paragenesis and textures associated with sandstone-hosted roll-front uranium deposits, NW China
Ore Geol. Rev.
(2005)
L. Zhang et al.
Hydrothermal mineralization in the sandstone–hosted Hangjinqi uranium deposit, North Ordos Basin, China
Ore Geol. Rev.
(2017)
M.L. Zhang et al.
Origin of Late Cenozoic Abaga-Dalinuoer basalts, eastern China: implications for a mixed pyroxenite–peridotite source related with deep subduction of the Pacific slab
Gondwana Res.
(2016)

C. Bonnetti et al.

The multiple roles of sulfate-reducing bacteria and Fe-Ti oxides in the genesis of the bayinwula roll front-type uranium deposit, Erlian Basin, NE China

Econ. Geol.

(2015)

W.R. Buck

Modes of continental lithospheric extension

J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth

(1991)

F. Chen et al.

Extensional rift basin analysis: Beijing

Geological Publishing House

(2004)

Z. Chen

Main geologic characterastics of paleochannel-type sandsone-hosted uranium deposits and relevant prospecting and exploration policy

Uranium Geol.

(1999)

G.X. Chi et al.

Hydrodynamic regime as a major control on localization of uranium mineralization in sedimentary basins: science in China Series D

Earth Sci.

(2014)

R.P. Fischer

Similarities, differences, and some genetic problems of the Wyoming and Colorado plateau types of uranium deposits in sandstone

Econ. Geol.

(1970)

H.C. Granger et al.

Zoning in the altered tongue associated with roll-type uranium deposits

E.N. Harshman et al.

Geology and recognition criteria for roll-type uranium deposits in continent sandstone

US DOE

(1981)

IAEA., 2016. Uranium 2016: Resources, production and demand, IAEA,...

IAEA, 2018. IAEA tecdoc series: Geological classification of uranium deposits and description of selected examples....

S. Jaireth et al.

Exploring for sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in paleovalleys and paleochannels

Geoscience Australia. AusGEO News.

(2010)

Jiao, G., Wang, T., Guo, X., Xin, H., 2003. Structural evolution of Erlian rift valley and oil and gas, Beijing,...

Y.Q. Jiao et al.

Uranium reservoir architecture and ore-forming flow field study: a key of revealing Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit mineralization mechanism

Geol. Sci. Technol. Inform.

(2012)

Cited by (20)

Genetic model of tabular orebody in Nalinggou uranium deposit, Ordos Basin: Constraint from clay minerals studies
2024, Ore Geology Reviews
Significant advancements have been achieved in the field of Uranium (U) exploration within the Ordos Basin. As a result, a sequence of U deposits characterized by tabular orebodies has been successfully identified. Extensive research has been conducted by scholars on the morphological characteristics, occurrence location, and control factors of the tabular orebody. However, a comprehensive understanding of its genesis and specific formation process remains elusive. Samples of sandstone from various geochemical zones in the Nalinggou U deposit were gathered for the purpose of microscopic observation, electron probe analysis, scanning electron microscopy, clay X-ray diffraction, and U elements analysis. Coffinite often occurs on the surface of particles and in association with other adsorbents such as organic matter, clay minerals, and titanium oxide, indicating strongly that sequential adsorption-reduction could be involved in the formation of U minerals. The clay minerals found in ore-bearing layers exhibit distinct characteristics. Specifically, there is a noticeable boundary between the content of kaolinite in the paleo-oxidation zone and the ore zone. This boundary aligns with the abrupt change in U content, indicating a consistent pattern. Moreover, the ore-bearing layer has undergone multiple stages of fluid transformation. These stages include the early U-bearing oxidizing meteoric precipitation and organic acidic fluids, as well as the late basin brine containing hydrocarbon. The formation of the tabular orebody can be attributed to the prolonged and stable interaction between weakly alkaline U-bearing oxidizing meteoric precipitation and the organic acidic fluid migrating towards the discharge area. This interaction leads to sequential adsorption-reduction processes, which occur due to the decrease in pH and the presence of reducing agents. These processes are responsible for the production of U mineralization on the interface where the two fluids interact. U metallogenic model of the tabular orebody in U deposits in the northern Ordos basin was established. This study presents an analysis of the metallogenic mechanism and evidence of fluids interaction interface for the tabular orebody. The findings of this study can be utilized as exploration guides for sandstone-type U deposits in the central-eastern basins of China
Uranium pre-concentration in sandstone-hosted U deposits: A case study from the Hailijin ore field, SW Songliao Basin, NE China
2023, Ore Geology Reviews
Economic U mineralization in sandstone was commonly attributed to oxygenated fluid infiltration in reduced sandstone, leading to U precipitation in redox front during late diagenetic stage. It was proposed that U can be pre-concentrated before this period based on trace amounts of U in altered products of Fe-Ti oxides, as revealed by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). However, the obtained trace elements concentrations in altered Fe-Ti oxides (<1 wt%) is generally accompanied with relatively low analytical precision, leading to a skeptical explanation under this situation. In this work, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine trace elements concentrations in hematite from the uraniferous Lower Yaojia Formation (Hailijin ore field, SW Songliao Basin, NE China), aiming to fingerprint this proposed U pre-concentration in details. Some trace elements contents, such as Mo, Ge, Ca, P, Y, Pb, Th, Sn, and W, are positively correlated with U content in hematite. Given that uraniferous oxygenated groundwater with a near-neutral pH is unable to efficiently dissolve detrital phosphate (i.e., apatite and monazite) in the Lower Yaojia Formation, phosphorous must have been released from these P-rich phases before late diagenesis. Such a conclusion is supported by our observations that monazite from the reduced sandstone has a corrosive morphology, and exhibits a corresponding U enrichment in the corrosive rim. The dissolved P and U can be adsorbed by porous titania up to several thousand ppm during early diagenesis, providing a pre-concentrated metal source for remobilization during late diagenesis. It can not only account for a trace-element signature derived from monazite (i.e., Ca, P, Y, Pb, and Th) in hematite geochemistry, but also fingerprint Mo and Ge migrations resulted from oxidation of pyrite and organic matter, respectively. In addition to U, tungsten and Sn would be re-equilibrated with infiltrated oxidized fluid during the recrystallization of porous titania, and partially incorporated into simultaneously formed hematite grains due to high compatibility. The remobilization of pre-concentrated U induced by oxygenated fluid incursion led to U accumulation in a redox front during late diagenesis, forming uraninite nanoaggregates with relatively high concentrations of P, Y and Ti. Our work has verified that trace-element signature in hematite from sandstone is a reliable fingerprint to reveal ore-forming processes, and we propose for the first time that titania and phosphate play a crucial role for U pre-concentration in sandstone-hosted U deposits.
Source-to-sink analysis of Mesozoic–Cenozoic sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Qaidam Basin
2022, Ore Geology Reviews
Citation Excerpt :
Uranium is a major source of clean energy (NEA and IAEA, 2020). The sandstone-type uranium deposits in large Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary basins in northern China, such as the Songliao Basin (Zhao et al., 2018), the Erlian Basin (Nie et al., 2020a; Zhang et al., 2020a), the Ordos Basin (Chen et al., 2019; Jiao et al., 2016), the Bayingebi Basin (Zhang et al., 2019a), the Turpan-Hami Basin (Wu et al., 2009b; Zhang et al., 2020b), and the Ili Basin (Song et al., 2019), account for 43 % (Yuqi et al., 2015; Li et al., 2012; Zhang et al., 2012a) of the total proven uranium reserves in China. Clearly, strengthening research on the exploration and development of sandstone-type uranium deposits is crucially important for uranium exploration.
Accurate evaluation of uranium sources and identification of their spatiotemporal correlations with uranium deposits (or sinks) in sedimentary basins are important for exploring sandstone-type uranium deposits. This study examines the source-to-sink system of Mesozoic–Cenozoic sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Qaidam Basin (QB) through a literature review in conjunction with logging and seismic data and yields the following findings. (1) The uranium-supplying capacity of a source rock in the uranium source area depends on primarily its type and to a lesser extent, the tectonic zone where it is located and the episode during which it formed. (2) The initial uranium content, U₀, is the core parameter for classifying and evaluating the uranium-supplying capacity of a source rock. At U₀ > 1.5 ppm, uranium begins to migrate from a source rock. The uranium variation coefficient, ΔU, and the amount of uranium migration, ΔUt, decrease continuously to –55 % and –5 ppm respectively as U₀ increases up to 9.5 ppm, which suggests that at most 5 ppm of uranium in the source rocks can migrate away. As U₀ increases beyond 9.5 ppm, ΔU and ΔUt fluctuate around –55 % and –7 ppm respectively, which suggests that approximately 7 ppm of the uranium in the source rocks can migrate away. (3) Of the different types of rocks, silicic igneous rocks (including both intrusive and volcanic igneous rocks) and granitic gneisses have the highest uranium-supplying capacity; intermediate igneous rocks and gneisses come second; mafic–ultramafic igneous rocks and the other metamorphic rocks (except granitic gneiss and gneiss) come third. Of the sub-source areas (tectonic zones), the western segment of the Eastern Kunlun and the Qiman Tagh have the highest uranium-supplying capacity; the Central and Southern Altyn Tagh come second; the others come third. (4) Uranium sources are the fundamental prerequisite for the formation of uranium sinks. Other geological factors control the specific formation process of uranium sinks as well as their spatiotemporal distribution patterns. For QB, the most economic and prospective uranium sink, Neogene formations of Gy anticline, was fed by the source areas which had the highest uranium-supplying capacity. This suggests that the Neogene of WEK anticline belt, Quaternary of Kumukol Basin and Qarqan River Basin are the most noteworthy metallogenic prospective areas. The uranium-source evaluation scheme and “source-to-sink” ore exploration approach introduced in this study have practical value for advancing the exploration of uranium deposits in sedimentary basins in northern China and other parts of the world.
Occurrence of uranium minerals in the Xiaomeigou Formation in northern Qaidam Basin, Northwest China
2022, Ore Geology Reviews
Citation Excerpt :
Previous researchers have made a preliminary study on the uranium occurrence characteristics of sandstone-type uranium deposits in Northwest China. Uranium minerals in Dongsheng area of Ordos Basin are mainly hydrosilicite and uraninite, less pitchblende (Yang et al., 2009a; Yang et al., 2009b; Akhtar et al., 2017; Yi et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2018); Uranium minerals in Erlian Basin and Tuha Basin occur at the edge of other mineral particles with small amounts of uraninite and part of pitchblende (Chen et al., 2018; Nie et al., 2020). The uranium source, the sedimentary environment of host rock, sand thickness, reduction capacity and regional tectonic activities are the primary ore-controlling elements in these sandstone-type uranium deposits (Hall, et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2019; Yue et al., 2020; Hu et al., 2021).
The Lenghu sandstone type uranium deposit as industrial value in the northern Qaidam Basin, Northwest China. This study analyzed the LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of detrital zircons, mineralogical features, electron probe, backscatter electron imaging and track etch of the altered minerals from uranium-bearing strata in the Xiaomeigou Formation of Lower Jurassic on the basis of field investigation in order to trace the source, parent rock lithology, geochronological age, uranium minerals, compositional characteristics, occurrences of uranium mineralization. The U-Pb ages of detrital zircons from the ore-bearing member are ranging from 117 to 270 Ma and 370–480 Ma, respectively, indicating that the provenance and uranium source were mainly derived from the Permian-Triassic intermediate-acid igneous rocks in the eastern Altyn Tagh and western Saishiteng Mountains, a small amount of them are from the Ordovician-Silurian intermediate-acid igneous rocks in the Xiaosaishiteng Mountains. Two types of ores in Xiaomigou Formation in Lenghu region are mainly composed of graywacke and carbonaceous sandstone with main uranium minerals are coffinite, pitchblende and trace amounts of lead selenite. They are closely associated with clay minerals, organics and pyrite, which lie in the intergranular space of quartz, feldspar and other altered lithic mineral grains or in cleavage joints of altered clay minerals that occur in fine columnar, gel-like or irregular sawtooth shape. It is inferred that the Fe²⁺ in feldspar and biotite reacts with H₂S or S^2- bearing minerals participated in the formation of pyrite, where the U⁶⁺ was captured by late multiple fluid processes occurred reduction-precipitation-adsorption uranium mineralization in the reduction environment provided by Fe²⁺. Based on the analysis of the existence of high Y and low Y types of uranium minerals, it is inferred that uranium in uranium minerals is the residual of original uranium minerals derived from the pre-enrichment of uranium-bearing detrital particles in sedimentary and diagenetic stages, and at the later stage, the high radioactivity abnormal geological bodies migrated to the inner basin through the multi-stage reformation of uranium-containing and oxygen-containing fluids without Y or at very low contents.
Sedimentological, petrological, and geochemical constraints on the formation of the Beisantai sandstone-type uranium deposit, Junggar Basin, NW China
2022, Ore Geology Reviews
Citation Excerpt :
The organic-rich mudstones adjacent to the permeable sandstones have a relatively higher reduction potential, advantageous for the adsorption and reduction during the precipitation of pyrites and uranium minerals. Consequently, there are usually phenomena that uranium ores are enriched in the intercalated mudstone or at the edge of the perfect permeable layer in some sandstone-type uranium deposits (Jiao et al., 2005; Luo et al., 2007; Dai et al., 2015; Feng et al., 2017; Liu et al., 2018; Hu et al., 2019; Rong et al., 2019; Tao et al., 2020; Nie et al., 2020; Cao et al., 2021). Hence, the fluid barriers should be an important factor for uranium mineralization.
A sandstone-type uranium deposit has recently been discovered at the bottom of the Neogene Shawan Formation, Beisantai area, southeastern Junggar Basin. In this study, optical and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations, whole-rock geochemistry, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping of thin sections, and the electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) of uranium minerals were applied, combined with the sedimentological and tectonic background, to investigate the controlling factors of uranium mineralization. Uranium ores are mainly concentrated on the interface between conglomerate and mudstone both macroscopically and microscopically. Among them, the conglomerate with less interstitial matrix, characterized as high primary porosity and permeability, offers essential passageways for the runoff of groundwater. In contrast, the margin of conglomerate adjacent to the barrier, somewhere with sufficient water–rock interactions, good supply of reducing materials, and efficient adsorbents, is favorable for the precipitation and preservation of uranium minerals. Therefore, the combination of perfect permeable layers and barriers improves the mineralization. From the geochemical data, U is positively correlated with redox-active elements such as S, As, Mo, and V, especially for permeable rocks, suggesting a redox-controlled system. This deposit occurs in a weak reducing reservoir, revealed by the primary green color, and the very low Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ values (0.35–0.77). The much higher enriched Mo (5.89–172.5 ppm, mean = 67.04 ppm) than Se (2–17 ppm, mean = 8.20 ppm) in the redox transition zone suggests that the mineralization is processed during the slow and gentle interlayer oxidation. The pyrites replaced by uranium minerals act as significant reductants in U(Ⅵ) reduction, during which S contributes dominantly over Fe revealed from the increased Fe/S values with the decrease in Fe and S contents in coffinite. Results of EPMA chemical dating reveal that the emplacement of uranium ores started at least from 8 Ma, corresponding to the intensive north–south compression event of the basin since 10 Ma. During the second episode of Himalayan movement, the bottom of the Shawan Formation was gradually denudated and outcropped in the north feasible to the formation of interlayer oxidation zone-type uranium deposit in the Beisantai area. The mineralization is a long-term and continuous process that probably persists till the present.
Petrographic and geochemical implications for ore genesis and mineralogical composition studies of the Tarat formation hosted sandstone uranium deposit in the Tamari Prospect from Arlit, Niger
2022, Journal of African Earth Sciences
Citation Excerpt :
Uranium Deposits Mafic dykes/sills type are subvertically oriented along the dyke's margins (Matoush, Otish Basin, Canada), or hosted within the dykes, or stratabound within the sandstones along lithological contacts with mafic sills (Red Tree, Westmoreland District, Australia). Deposits are small to medium (300–10 000 t) with low to medium grades (0.05–0.40%) (Hou et al., 2017; X. Yang et al., 2009 Kuptsova et al., 2019; Zhang, 2019;; Li, 2019; Wilde, 2020; Nie, 2020; Su et al., 2020; Province et al., 2021). The Niger Republic is one of the biggest countries in west Africa with a vast territory endowed with huge uranium resource potential (Table 1).
The ongoing uranium mining activities coupled with mines development in SOMAIR open pit mine at Arlit led to the discovery of a new prospect called Tamari prospect endowed with a potential uranium ore deposit and have been subjected to a very few scientific studies but their characteristics still need to be examined in further detail investigation in order to determine the mineralogical composition, ore genesis and geochemical characteristics of the deposit. Based on detailed studies using optical microscopy, backscattered electron imaging, electron-microprobe and high resolution elemental mapping, the authors have established that detrital, authigenic and uranium ore-stage minerlization are associated with the deposit. Previous studies on the deposits documented two stages of uranium deposits one close to 190 Ma and the other close to 150 Ma. The dominant uranium ore minerals occur as uraninite. Pyrite and galena are the most dominant sulfide minerals associated with the uranium mineralization and therefore, chemical composition analysis shows that pyrite contains an average U concentration up to of 7.62 wt% and galena has an average of 27.16 wt%. The association U–Zr–Pb present in the zircon and monazite indicates that the geochemical environment responsible for this correlation should be that with a large association with lithophile elements which occur in monazite and zircon minerals that could possibly be the potential source of uranium. The impregnation of organic matter with U–Ti oxide indicates a synsedimentary or early source of uranium. Uraninite contains a high concentration of Zr (av. 5.77 wt%) suggesting a probable succession of fluid circulation that would allow either the deposition of two generations of uraninites or mineralization leaching. The excellent positive correlation of U, Fe, Ca and Mn in the mineralized pole of U–Ti oxides is related to the presence of high concentrations of complexing ligands such as carbonate, oxalate, hydroxide, fulvic and humic acids in the deposits. Uranium mineralization occurs as Iriginite (U–Mo) and the powellite (Pb–MoO4) cemented the quartz grains and kaolinite highlights a late fluid circulation.

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Genetic models and exploration implication of the paleochannel sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Erlian Basin, North China – A review and comparative study

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Geologic setting

Analysis on sedimentary facies

Mineralogical study

Subdivision of the Saihan Fm

Sedimentation

Conclusions

Declaration of Competing Interest

Acknowledgements

Ore Geol. Rev.

Cretaceous Res.

Ore Geol. Rev.

J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res.

Ore Geol. Rev.

Russian Geol. Geophys.

Ore Geol. Rev.

Ore Geol. Rev.

Ore Geol. Rev.

Gondwana Res.

The multiple roles of sulfate-reducing bacteria and Fe-Ti oxides in the genesis of the bayinwula roll front-type uranium deposit, Erlian Basin, NE China

Econ. Geol.

Modes of continental lithospheric extension

J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth

Extensional rift basin analysis: Beijing

Geological Publishing House

Main geologic characterastics of paleochannel-type sandsone-hosted uranium deposits and relevant prospecting and exploration policy

Uranium Geol.

Hydrodynamic regime as a major control on localization of uranium mineralization in sedimentary basins: science in China Series D

Earth Sci.

Similarities, differences, and some genetic problems of the Wyoming and Colorado plateau types of uranium deposits in sandstone

Econ. Geol.

Zoning in the altered tongue associated with roll-type uranium deposits

Geology and recognition criteria for roll-type uranium deposits in continent sandstone

US DOE

Exploring for sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in paleovalleys and paleochannels

Geoscience Australia. AusGEO News.

Uranium reservoir architecture and ore-forming flow field study: a key of revealing Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit mineralization mechanism

Geol. Sci. Technol. Inform.