The hydrothermal uranium and some other metal deposits of the extensional faulting during the advanced opening of the Red Sea, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The hydrothermal uranium and some other metal deposits occur within the zone of the major NW-SE trending normal fault and its associated minor normal faults that cut the Miocene clastic-carbonate sediments at Ochre-Um Greifat and Wadi Wizr locations. Samples from these locations were subjected to mineralogical and geochemical studies in order to determine their concentrations of strategic and economic elements (e.g., U, Th, Mo, Zn, Pb, As and V) as well as their petrogenesis. The mineralogical studies were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy ESEM/EDX. The geochemical data was determined by ICP-MS and ICP-OES (Acme Lab. of Canada). The results showed that the Ochre-Um Greifat deposits are enriched in U and Zn elements, with significant concentrations of Cu and Th while Wadi Wizr deposits are enriched in Mo, Zn, Pb and As elements. The discrimination diagrams based on major and trace elements indicated that the Ochre-Um Greifat and Wadi Wizr deposits are of hydrothermal origin. Additionally, uranium deposit was subjected to the supergene processes. Moreover, radionuclides showed that the state of disequilibrium as a result of physicochemical conditions of the hydrothermal solutions and the nature of ambient rocks. The study concluded that the locations need further geological and geophysical studies to determine if nuclear materials (uranium and molybdenum) and other associated elements are economically valuable.