Novel metallogenic model of sandstone-type uranium deposits: Mineralization by deep organic fluid

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.1.7

Abstract

Abstract:

Most existing metallogenic models maintain that sandstone-type uranium (U) deposits are formed by infiltration of exogenous uranium carried by near-surface oxygenated waters from erosion source areas into basins. However, this study finds that these traditional models fail to explain the geological evolution, geomorphological characteristics, and mineralization of sandstone-type uranium deposits in eastern Yimeng Uplift, northern Ordos Basin. The key issue is the material source of uranium mineralization. Geochemical analysis of representative minerals from this area, including coffinite (formed in a strongly reducing environment) and its associated minerals, reveal the existence of two distinct uranium mineralization environments: low-salinity meteoric waters and medium-high-salinity hydrothermal fluids, and primary uranium mineralization occurred less than 80 Ma. Considering the U-rich source rocks of coal-bearing strata in the basin, the enormous dissipation of natural gas, and the widespread distribution of various hydrocarbon alteration products and condensate oil traces related to the dissipation of mature coal-type gas in the Yimeng Uplift, a novel metallogenic model of large uranium deposits is proposed based on comprehensive simulation experiments and testing analysis. According to the new model, the uranium source originates from deep U-rich coal strata in the middle of the basin, where dissolved gases from thermal fluids migrate and dissipate towards higher elevations in the eastern Yimeng Uplift, extracting and carrying uranium from the source rock and uranium-rich strata along the way to shallower layers to cause sparry calcite and coffinite to precipitate as temperature/pressure decreases; meanwhile along with the near-surface, low temperature mineralization, massive exsolved natural gas creates a reducing environment for the preservation of uranium deposits. This new model of uranium mineralization opens up new horizons for uranium exploration in terms of exploration approaches and domains, and strengthens the scientific basis for polymineralization involving different mineral (metallic, non-metallic) and energy (hydrothermal, hydrocarbon) types, as well as prediction and evaluation of such polyminealization occurrences.

Key words: novel uranium metallogenic model, deep uranium source, natural gas dissipation, hydrothermal mineralization, northern ordos basin, Yimeng uranium district

CLC Number:

P619.14

LIU Chiyang, ZHANG Long, HUANG Lei, WU Bailin, WANG Jianqiang, ZHANG Dongdong, TAN Chengqian, MA Yanping, ZHAO Jianshe. Novel metallogenic model of sandstone-type uranium deposits: Mineralization by deep organic fluid[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2024, 31(1): 368-383.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1 Metallogenic model for uranium deposit formed in sandstone interlayer oxidation zone

Fig.2 Study area overview. (A) Topography map of northern Ordos Basin, showing the location of the study area and distribution of gas reservoirs and uranium deposits. (B) North-south topographic profile (Location see A). (C) Geological map showing the locations of uranium deposits and hydrocarbon seeps in the study area (Location see A).

Fig.3 Metallogenic periods of primary uranium deposits in the Yimeng Uplift by different dating methods. Modified after [19].

Fig.4 REE and Isotopic characteristics of two types of sandstone-type uranium deposits in Hangjinqi (Nalinggou) formed under different mineralization environments and metallogeneses

Table 1 Main differences between type I and II uranium mineralization environments

成矿环境	温度	盐度	稀土元素	胶结物	硫同位素值	元素特征	集中成矿年限/Ma
I型:浅层低温淡水	低,<70 ℃	低,<8.00%	富LREE	泥晶方解石	偏负	富钒贫钇	≤68.6
II型:含气咸化热流体	高,140~160 ℃	高,8.00%~16.34%	富HREE	亮晶方解石	偏正	富钇贫钒	≤39

Fig.5 Back-scattered electron images of pyrite and associated coffinite

Fig.6 Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of sparry calcite samples from ore-beading sandstones and calcite cements in Paleozoic gas reservoirs

Fig.7 Characterization of fluid inclusions in sparry calcite from uranium ores. C-F modified after [8].

Fig.8 Distribution map of Upper Paleozoic gas fields and gamma-ray anomalies in coal-bearing strata of the northern Ordos Basin. Modified after [35].

Fig.9 Layout of simulation experiment demonstrating the mechanism of uranium mineralization via interaction between U-bearing fluid and natural gas. Modified after [19].

Fig.10 Influence of the northward migration-dissipation of coal-type natural gases on ore formation in the central-northern Ordos Basin

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