Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

A Novel Approach in Hydrogeochemical Exploration for Uranium Mineralization:an Example from West Central Sinai,Egypt

Groundwater in contact with ore deposits may acquire a chemical composition that could be used as a guide for exploration. Eight well-water samples are collected from a known uraniummineralized area near Abu Zenima, west central Sinai to examine the applicability of using the hydrogeochemical technique in the search for uranium mineralization in similar arid areas. The analytical chemical data of the ground water is compared with ground radiometric measurements. The obtained results indicate that groundwater affected by uranium mineralization has a specific relativity of major anions expressed essentially as SO_4〉Cl〉HCO_3 and to a lesser extent as Cl〉SO_4〉HCO_3, associated as a rule with low magnesium content. This association constitutes a signature of uranium mineralization on the composition of groundwater in west central Sinai and could be used as an important exploration guide in the search for uranium deposits in similar areas. Anomalies in Ni, Fe, Zn and Cr and other pathfinder elements in groundwater can furnish geochemical guides to uranium ores. The immobile trace element anomalies, including Zn, Ni and Fe are strongly distributed near the orebody; whereas the relatively mobile trace elements, including Co, U, V and Cr, constitute the dispersion haloes away from the orebody. A new hydrogeochemical discrimination diagram is constructed to be used as a quick and cost effective exploration tool in the search for uranium occurrences in environmentally similar arid areas. Based on the obtained results, a new site for uranium occurrence, west of W. Baba, is delineated and recommended for future detailed geological and geochemical surveying.

Really active form of fluorine toxicity affecting Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans activity in bioleaching uranium

In order to determine the mechanism of bacterial tolerance to fluorine,Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 was domesticated and studied under the conditions of different fluorine concentrations and pH values with or without treatment by Proteinase K.The bacterial activities were observed through measuring the changes of solution potentials by platinum electrode with Ag/AgCl reference electrode and the intracellular fluorine was determined by-uorine ion-selective electrode.The results indicated that the tolerance of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 to fluorine could be obviously improved by domestication,HF was the effective form of fluorine to affect the bacterial activity,and pH increase or concentration change of ions of strong complex ability with fluorine ions in solution could result in false appearance of high fluorine-resistant strain.Some proteins located in cell wall or cell membrane were intimately relative with the bacterial fluorine tolerance.

Enhancing recovery of uranium column bioleaching by process optimization and kinetic modeling

This research aimed to enhance the column bioleaching recovery of uranium ore by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.Seven factors were examined for their significance on bioleaching using a Plackett-Burman factorial design.Four significant variables([Fe2+]initial,pH,aeration rate and inoculation percent)were selected for the optimization studies.The effect of these variables on uranium bioleaching was studied using a central composite design(CCD).The optimal values of the variables for the maximum uranium bioleaching recovery(90.27±0.98)%were as follows:[Fe2+]initial=2.89g/L,aeration rate420mL/min,pH1.45and inoculation6%(v/v).[Fe2+]initial was found to be the most effective parameter.The maximum uranium recovery from the predicted models was92.01%.This value was in agreement with the actual experimental value.The analysis of bioleaching residue of uranium ore under optimum conditions confirmed the formation of K-jarosite on the surface of minerals.By using optimal conditions,uranium bioleaching recovery is increased at column and jarosite precipitation is minimized.The kinetic model showed that uranium recovery has a direct relation with ferric ion concentration.

Constraints on granite-related uranium mineralization in the Sanjiu uranium ore field,SE China provided by pyrite mineralogy,major and trace elements,S-He-Ar isotopes

The Sanjiu uranium ore field,located in the central of Zhuguangshan granitic batholith,is a newly discovered granite-related uranium ore field in South China.The main sulfide in the ore field is pyrite,which is closely related to uranium mineralization.The textures major and trace elements,S-He-Ar isotopes compositions of pyrites in ores of different grade were observed and/or analyzed by optical microscope,scanning electron microscope,electron microprobe,laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,and noble gas mass spectrometer(Helix-SFT).It is observed that these U-related pyrites are generally euhedral-subhedral with dissolution textures,anhedral variety with colloform texture veinlet and fine particles,and the color of the associated minerals is mostly dark hue,such as purple-black fluorite dark-red hematite,and dark-green chlorite,etc.The analytical results show that the average compositions of major elements in pyrite are FeS1.944.Pyrites are characterized by S-deficiency,low content of Co and Th,and Co/Ni>1which indicate that these ores are of low-temperature hydrothermal origin.We found that the higher the grade of ore,the more deficient in S,the more obvious negative δ^34S,and the higher REE content(close to U-rich granitic pluton)of pyrite.The S-He-Ar isotopic compositions of various varieties of pyrites indicate that the ore-forming fluids mainly come from crust-derived fluids and mixed with mantle-derived fluids.

Mill tailings based composites as paste backfill in mines of U-bearing dolomitic limestone ore

This paper elaborates on the development of paste backfill using mill tailings generated during the processing of a uranium ore deposit hosted in dolomitic limestone. The tailings have been characterized in terms of the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Time-dependent rheological behaviors and geotechnical properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB) are also determined. The studies show that the mill tailing has the potential to form paste and the CPB has adequate strength to provide support to mine pillars, roofs, and walls.

Mass Transfer during Hematitization and Implications for Uranium Mineralization in the Zoujiashan Deposit,Xiangshan Volcanic Basin

The Zoujiashan uranium deposit in the Xiangshan ore field is the largest volcanic-related uranium deposit in China.Hematite-and fluorite-type ores are the predominant mineralization styles.Hematitization in the Xiangshan ore field is closely associated with uranium mineralization,mainly occurring as hematitized rocks enclosing fluorite-type vein ores developed in pre-ore illitized porphyritic lava.Detailed petrographic and mass balance calculation studies were conducted to evaluate the mechanisms for uranium precipitation and mass transfer during hematitization.Petrographic observations suggest that in the hematitized rocks,orthoclase is more altered than plagioclase,and quartz dissolution is common,whereas in the illitized rocks,pyrite commonly occurs within the altered biotite grains,and chlorite grains are locally found.Mass balance calculations indicate that Na2O and U were gained,K2O,Ca O and Si O2were lost,whereas Fe2O3-t remained more or less constant during hematitization.These observations suggest that the hydrothermal fluids were Na-and U-rich and Ca-K-poor,and the Fe2+used for hematitization was locally derived,most likely from biotite,pyrite and chlorite in the host rocks.The Fe2+is inferred to have played the role of reductant to precipitate uranium,and calculation indicates that oxidation of Fe2+provided by host rocks is sufficient to form ores of economic significance.Consequently,the hematite-type ore is interpreted to be generated by the reaction between oxidized ore fluids and reduced components in host rocks.The development of calcite and pyrite in the fluorite ores suggests that perhaps mixing between the U-rich fluid and another fluid carrying reduced sulfur and carbon may have also contributed to uranium mineralization,in addition to temperature and pressure drop associated with the veining.

Characteristics and dynamic settings of the Central-east Asia multi-energy minerals metallogenetic domain

That more than 82 percent of proved sandstone-type uranium deposits coexist with proved oil-gas or coalfields in the world reflects the fact of coexistence and accumulation of multi-energy minerals including oil,gas,coal and uranium in the same basin.Especially,this phenomenon is most typical in the Central-east Asia energy basins.Across China,Mongolia and some central Asian countries,the giant Central-east Asia metallogenetic domain(CEAMD)stretches more than 6,000 km from Songliao Basin of China in the east to the Caspian Sea in the west.The multi-energy minerals distribution characteristics of the domain include:their spatial distribution is complicated and ordered;the ore-bearing horizon relates closely to the geographical region;the accumulation/mineralization and localization time is the same or close;the occurrence setting and accumulation/mineralization have close correlation;and they have rich provenance for all the minerals.All of these imply that they have close relations between each other under a unified geodynamic background.The exogenetic uranium mineralization process in CEAMD can be divided into five phases using time limits of 100 Ma,(50±2)Ma,20±(2―4)Ma,8―5 Ma.The major mineralization periods and their differences in each primary uranium-bearing basin are identical to the oil-gas accumulation and localization periods and phases in the same basin,and are also in response to regional tectonics and controlled in general by the regional geodynamic environment.For industrial application and commercial exploitation,it is suggested that an important period for coexistence,accumulation and localization of oil,gas,coal and uranium and their interaction mainly occur in the late/last and post basin evolution.Through generalized analysis and comparison of accumulation/mineralization environment of the energy basins in CEAMD,the authors propose that the relatively stable regional tectonic background and moderate(weaker)structural deformation probably are necessary for formation,coexistence and preservation of large and medium-scaled sandstone-type uranium ore deposits,oil-gas fields and coalfields,while basins in favor of coexistence and accumulation are those intracratonal,intermediary massif basins and corresponding reformed basins.