Evolutionary and geological factors controlling endogenic uranium mineralization and the potential for the discovery of new ore districts

Abstract

The exhaustion of known surface and near-surface high-grade uranium deposits poses the serious problem of prospecting and exploration of new large endogenic deposits. A comparison of large data sets for endogenic deposits from the world’s major uranium districts allowed the authors to develop an evolutionary geological model of large-scale uranium ore genesis, which reflects the succession and nature of preore, ore-forming, and post-ore processes. The study reveals a combination of general (recurrent) factors controlling the formation of ore districts with large-scale uranium mineralization regardless of the genesis and timing of the mineralization. At the same time, these factors depend on the regional setting and can vary considerably among deposits of the same type localized in different tectonic blocks with different characteristics and structural evolution. In connection with this, the exploration of major genetic types of deposits requires the application of specified criteria. Along with the consideration of the evolutionary geological model of ore formation, the study discusses a variety of tectono-magmatic, mineralogical, geochemical, radiogeochemical, and physicochemical factors and indications in three uranium districts (the Streltsovskoe, Elkon, and Central Ukrainian districts), which can form the basis for further uranium prospecting and exploration. Using a combination of favorable prerequisite conditions the study compares the possibilities for the discovery of large endogenic uranium deposits in several regions of Russia.