Future of Uranium Mining in Atlantic Margin: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Good prospects exist for the discovery of mineable uranium ore bodies in a variety of geologic environments in the Atlantic margin. Development is farthest along in the Canadian Maritimes, at Kitts-Michelin in Labrador, through extensive exploration in New Brunswick, at Johan Beetz and other pegmatite areas on the Quebec north shore, and in the South Mountain batholith in Nova Scotia. Targets of interest in the United States include Precambrian crystalline rocks in the Green Mountain massif in Vermont, the Reading Prong-Hudson River Highlands in New York-New Jersey, and Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina-Tennessee. Paleozoic granitic intrusives in the Piedmont province commonly are enriched in uranium, and some have potential for discovery of episyenite, pegmatite, au higenic, and contact metasomatic deposits. Triassic sedimentary basins are being explored for sandstone-type ore bodies, and are being considered for vein-type deposits related to the border faults, or to the basal unconformity. The potential of the Coastal Plain is almost unknown although there are good source rocks nearby, and substantial uranium is moving in the present hydrologic regime. Gorceixite occurrences in Aiken County, South Carolina, are of some interest. The Department of Energy is continuing to review areas and evaluate data generated under the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program. Exploration and development of resources in the Atlantic margin are hampered by large metropolitan areas, high population density, higher priority uses of land, and the difficulty of negotiating leases. Environmental and antinuclear concerns have resulted in legislation restricting exploration and development in Vermont and New Jersey. Publich sentiment is divided on the issue of mining. Where these obstacles can be overcome, there are good opportunities and worthwhile prospects for further work. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1666------------