Sequence Stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Uraniferous Measures and Mineralization of the Sandstone‐hosted Tamusu Large Uranium Deposit, North China

Abstract

AbstractThe Bayingobi basin is the Mesozoic–Cenozoic basin in North China in which the Tamusu uranium deposit is located. The ore‐target layer of the deposit is the Lower Cretaceous Bayingobi Formation, which developed as a fan delta‐shallow lacustrine deposit. The distributary channel sand body of the fan delta plain and the underwater distributary channel sand body of the fan delta front formed a favorable uranium reservoir, so the study of sequence stratigraphy is extremely important to understanding the genesis of uranium deposits. On the basis of field investigation and a large number of borehole logs, the high resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous is divided and the system tracts of different periods are established. The relationship between deposition, interlayer oxidation and uranium enrichment is discussed. The Lower Cretaceous Bayingobi Formation can be divided into two fourth‐order sequences (Sq1 and Sq2). The lower member of the Bayingobi Formation is referred to as Sq1, which is composed of a falling‐stage system tract (FSST) on top. On the other hand, the upper member of the Bayingobi Formation is referred to as Sq2, which is composed of a lowstand system tract (LST), transgressive system tract (TST) and highstand system tract (HST). The lowstand system tract forms a favorable stratigraphic structure (mud‐sand‐mud formation) with the lacustrine mudstone of the overlying transgressive system tract, that is conducive for the migration of uranium‐bearing oxygen water. The organic matter and pyrite in the fan delta sand body, as well as the dark mudstone in the distributary bay, provided a reducing medium for uranium mineralization. The ore body mainly occurs in the distributary channel, underwater distributary channel or the mouth bar of the fan delta. As a result of the moderate thickness, high permeability, favorable barrier and rich reducing medium, the rich ore body mainly occurs in the underwater distributary channel and mouth bar sand body of the delta front. Based on study of the sequence stratigraphy, the model of the sequence, sedimentation and mineralization of the uranium deposit is established, which enriches uranium metallogenic theory and provides a reference for exploration of the same type of uranium deposits.