Close linkage of copper (and uranium) transport to diagenetic reddening of “upstream” basin sediments for sediment-hosted stratiform copper (and roll-type uranium) mineralization

Abstract

Copper and uranium may be closely associated metals in sedimentary basins in which “upstream” sediments have been diagenetically reddened (e.g., sediment-hosted stratiform copper (SSC) deposits and roll-type uranium deposits) and the immediate hosts of mineralization are adjacent reduced sediments. The timing of leaching is closely linked to the process and timing of reddening, with descending meteoric water providing the oxygen needed for the reddening process. To leach and transport copper, the low-temperature pore solution must evolve to a brine, and importantly, its Eh must decrease to moderately positive levels (0.1 ± 0.1 V). For uranium, a simple oxidized solution is sufficient. Given the parallel Eh paths for copper and uranium and their close associations with diagenetic reddening, the dominant metal in sediment-hosted stratiform copper or roll-type uranium deposits is probably related closely to the source mineral and/or rock constituents of the reddened sediments.