Sandstone-type Uranium Deposits Research Articles

Sedimentary Environment, Tectonic Setting, and Uranium Mineralization Implications of the Yimin Formation, Kelulun Depression, Hailar Basin, China

The sandstone-type uranium deposit of the Kelulun Depression is the first industrially valuable uranium deposit discovered in the Hailar Basin. This study performed a systematic examination of 17 sandstone samples from the Yimin Formation in the Kelulun Depression based on various analytical techniques. The findings of the current study were synthesized with previous research to investigate the impact of the redox conditions and the tectonic background of the source area, as well as the paleoclimatic evolution of the Yimin Formation on uranium mineralization. The elemental Mo, U/Th, V/Cr, Ni/Co, and V/(V+Ni) ratios indicate that the paleowater was in an oxygen-rich environment during the deposition of the Yimin Formation. Additionally, the C-value, Sr/Cu, Al2O3/MgO, and Rb/Sr ratios indicate that the Yimin Formation was formed in a paleoclimate characterized by arid-to-semi-arid conditions. The geochemical characteristics of the observed elements indicated that the sediment source of the Yimin Formation was mainly felsic rocks from the upper continental crust, the weathering of the rock was weak, and the tectonic background was a passive continental margin. Coffinite is distributed in the form of cementation and stellates within or around pyrite crystals, and uranium-titanium oxide is mostly distributed in an irregular granular distribution in the biotite cleavage fractures of the study area. In summary, the findings of this study reveal that the tectonic settings, provenance, uranium source, paleoclimate, and oxygen-rich paleowater of the Yimin Formation have important geological significance for the large-scale uranium mineralization of the Kelulun Depression.

Mineralogical and geochemical studies on the Qianjiadian deposit, Songliao Basin, NE China: Insights into multiple metallogenic processes in the sandstone-type uranium deposit

Sandstone-type uranium deposits usually exhibit a range of metallogenic mechanisms. To gain insights into the nature, genetic relationships, and mineralization mechanisms of uranium and associated minerals, representative samples from the Qianjiadian uranium deposit in the Songliao Basin were investigated through detailed mineralogical, elemental geochemical, and in-situ sulfur isotopic analyses. The results provided invaluable information on the various stages of uranium mineralization. During the early diagenetic stage, uranium mineralization occurred in the local organic matter (OM)-enriched sites (TOC = 0.70 ∼ 2.05 %) in the Yaojia Formation. The paragenetic relationship revealed that uranium was firstly precipitated as pitchblende along with the biogenetic framboidal pyrite (δ34S values ranging from −44.1 ‰ to −1.8 ‰) through bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) process. Simultaneously, organic acids generated through biodegradation of OM caused an acidic fluid condition and subsequent dissolution of feldspars, resulting in the production of kaolinite intergrowth with pitchblende. During the late diagenetic stage, the ore-forming fluid turned alkaline, leading to the conversion of pitchblende into coffinite, with elevated elements such as Si, P, Ca, Zr, and Y in the altered phase. In addition to the contribution of OM and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), pyrite was confirmed as a reducing agent for its replacement by uranium minerals and the Fe-oxide produced along the boundaries. The diagenetic uranium enrichment is mainly hosted in the gray sandstone that experienced reduced alteration of deep hydrocarbons, resulting in pervasive kaolinization and promotion of reduction potential. A significant amount of uranium was fixed by adsorption, as evidenced by the rare observation of independent uranium minerals, but the higher whole-rock U content (U = 133.5 ∼ 394.0 ppm) and the detection of U signal in micro-XRF analysis and EPMA data (U content in representative kaolinite ranges from bld to 0.74 wt%). Overall, the formation of sandstone-type uranium deposits is a long-term and multi-stage process. The early enriched uranium during synsedimentary-diagenetic stages is non-negligible and can even result in an appreciable amount of mineralization, further serving as an important source for the subsequent secondary enrichment.

Occurrence State and Enrichment Mechanism of Rhenium in the Qianjiadian Uranium Deposit in the Southwestern Songliao Basin, Northeast China

Rhenium is an extremely rare critical metal element in Earth’s continental crust. Owing to its extremely high melting point and heat-stable crystalline structure, rhenium is an essential component of alloy materials used in high-performance aircraft engines. Demand for rhenium resources is therefore growing. Currently, most rhenium is produced as a byproduct of molybdenum mining in porphyry copper–molybdenum deposits. Research has therefore focused on the enrichment characteristics of rhenium in this type of deposit, with little attention paid to rhenium in other types of deposits. This study reports the occurrence state and enrichment mechanism of rhenium in the Qianjiadian sandstone-type uranium deposit in the Songliao Basin, Northeast China. Sequential extraction revealed that the average proportions of different forms of rhenium are as follows: water-soluble (57.86%) > organic-sulfide-bound (13.11%) > residual (12.26%) > Fe/Mn oxide-bound (10.67%) > carbonate-bound (6.10%). Combining mineralogical analysis techniques such as SEM-EDS, EMPA, and XRD, it has been established that rhenium does not occur as a substitute in sulfides (e.g., molybdenite) or uranium minerals in various types of deposits. Instead, it is mainly adsorbed onto clay minerals and Fe-Ti oxides, and in a small number of other minerals (pyrite, organic matter, and pitchblende). Rhenium is similar to redox-sensitive elements such as uranium and vanadium, and it is transported in a water-soluble form by oxidizing groundwater to the redox transition zone for enrichment. However, unlike uranium, which generally forms as uranium minerals, rhenium is mainly adsorbed and enriched onto clay minerals (kaolinite and interlayered illite–smectite). Most of the rhenium in sandstone-type uranium deposits occurs in an ion-adsorption state, and is easily leached and extracted during in-situ leaching mining of uranium ores. This type of deposit demonstrates excellent production potential and will become a crucial recoverable resource for future rhenium supply.

The chemical damage of sandstone after sulfuric acid-rock reactions with different duration times and its influence on the impact mechanical behaviour

The low-permeability characteristic of sandstone-type uranium deposits has become the key geological bottleneck during the in-situ leaching mining, seriously restricting the development and utilization of uranium resources in China. At present, the blasting-enhanced permeability (BEP) and acidizing-enhanced permeability (AEP) are confirmed to be mainstream approaches to enhance the reservoir permeability of low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit (LPSUD). To clarify the synergistic effect of BEP and AEP, the acid-rock reaction and dynamic impact experiments were conducted, aiming to study the effect of chemical reactions on pore structure, dynamic mechanical properties and failure pattern of sandstone. Results show that with the increasing acid-rock reaction time, the total pore volume of samples is promoted largely and exhibits obvious chemical damage. The change of pore volume depends on the pore size, the 100–1000 nm and 1000–10000 nm pores are more susceptible to acid-rock reactions. The dynamic peak strength and the dynamic elastic modulus are decreased and the dynamic peak strain and strain rate are increased when lengthening the acid-rock reaction time, whose evolution laws can be fitted by the logistic expression, the linear expression and the exponential expression, respectively. The acid-rock reactions also have an influence on the fracture development of samples after the dynamic impact. The damaged fractures on the end faces of samples grow from the isolated short fracture, the isolated long fracture to the fracture network, and the damaged fractures on the sides of samples develop from the non-penetration fractures, penetration fractures to the multi-branch fractures. This study clarifies the physical and chemical combined damage mechanism, demonstrates the potential of reservoir stimulation by uniting the BEP and the AEP, and provides a theoretical reference for the reservoir stimulation of LPSUD.

Genetic Mechanism of Tabular-Shaped Orebody of the Hailijin Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit in the Songliao Basin: Constraints on the Clay Mineralogy of Ore-Bearing Sandstone

The Hailijin (HLJ) sandstone-type uranium deposit was newly discovered in the southwestern Songliao Basin in recent years. Different from the roll-front orebody of the sandstone-type uranium deposits with (phreatic oxidation) interlayer redox origin (or phreatic oxidation), the orebody of the HLJ uranium deposit is tabular-shaped and multi-stratiform. The kaolinite content in ore-controlling gray sandstones is significantly higher than that in oxidized sandstones, which have the highest kaolinite content in the less oxidized zone of sandstone-type uranium deposits in the basins of western China (such as Yili Basin and Turpan-Hami Basin). In order to identify the properties of ore-forming fluids and the genesis of the tabular-shaped orebody of the HLJ uranium deposit, trace element, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and uranium mineral electron probe (EPMA) analyses of different geochemical zone sandstones in ore-bearing strata were carried out. As a result, kaolinite, illite, and illite/smectite formation (I/S) appear to alternate with one another in ore-controlling gray sandstones, and the content of kaolinite is the highest in ores. SEM analysis also suggests that uranium minerals are commonly adsorbed on the surface of foliated and vermicular kaolinite or trapped within micropores of kaolinite. In this case, it is inferred that kaolinite in ore-controlling gray sandstones is of epigenetic origin, and the ore-bearing sandstones have undergone at least one transformation of acidic fluids. Combined with the regional paleoclimate, regional tectonics, and regional burial history, it is concluded that the acidic fluid originated from the uranium-rich source rocks of the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, and the tabular-shaped orebody of the HLJ uranium deposit was formed by exudative metallogeny. When the uranium-rich acidic organic fluids exuded upward from deep levels along the faults to the target strata, the solubility of uranium and other polymetallic elements decreased because of the decrease in temperature and pressure, and uranium eventually precipitated and accumulated in sandstones with suitable permeability and porosity. However, it cannot be ruled out that the superimposition and transformation of uranium mineralization was caused by phreatic oxidation or local interlayer redox during the interval of exudative metallogeny.

Machine learning–based optimal design of the in-situ leaching process parameter (ISLPP) for the acid in-situ leaching of uranium

The migration process of leached uranium in the in-situ leaching of uranium is considered a typical reactive transport problem. During this process, the lixiviant concentration and injection rate are important in-situ leaching process parameters (ISLPP) to efficiently recover uranium. However, several uncertain factors affect the outcomes of the ISLPP design. In addition, the repeated use of the reactive transport model (RTM) for investigating the acid in-situ leaching of uranium with the application of the Monte Carlo method leads to a substantial computational load. For this reason, a machine learning (ML)–based surrogate model was developed with the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) method to replace the RTM under the condition of uncertain parameters. Moreover, the simulated annealing optimisation model for ISLPP was created based on the proposed surrogate model. The optimal ISLPP was achieved that generated maximum profits from uranium recovery under different lixiviant prices, uranium prices and exploitation times. The optimal design framework of ISLPP based on the proposed ML algorithm was then applied in the Bayan-Uul sandstone-type uranium deposit in Inner Mongolia, China. From our analysis, it was demonstrated that the ML-based surrogate model exhibited great fitness with the RTM. The optimal results of the ISLPP indicated that the lixiviant concentration and injection rate could be adjusted based on the fluctuations in lixiviant price, uranium price and exploitation time. If the prices of sulphuric acid were high, a specific concentration of hydrogen peroxide could be injected into the injection well to promote the oxidation and dissolution of the uranium ore to increase the income from the uranium recovery. The optimisation model can also use the ISLPP scheme to boost the revenues from different lixiviant prices, uranium prices and exploitation times under the uncertainty of porosity, illustrating the applicability of the ML-based optimal design method of ISLPP in ISL mining. A general framework for developing surrogate models, as well as for conducting uncertainty analyses for a wide range of groundwater models was proposed here yielding valuable insights.

Multifractal Characteristics of Uranium Grade Distribution and Spatial Regularities in a Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit in Xinjiang, China

Based on an analysis of the spatial distribution of uranium grade in 338 boreholes of a uranium deposit in Xinjiang, the enrichment and spatial variation of uranium ore in two stopes of the deposit are discussed using multifractal theory. The distribution characteristics of the uranium ore of the two stopes are studied by multifractal parameters: the scaling exponent of mass τ(q), the scaling exponent α(q) of each sub-set and its corresponding fractal dimension f(α), the fractal dimension D0 and information dimension D1. The differences of uranium distribution in the two stopes can be quantified well by using multifractal spectrum and multifractal parameters such as Δα, Δf and R. After a comprehensive multifractal distribution analysis, 10 m × 10 m is defined as a fence unit, and the window sizes ε=3,6,9⋯,45 are set; the singularity exponents α of the two stopes are calculated by using this element concentration–area method. The results show that the multifractal theory and model can organically combine spatial structure information, scale change information and anisotropy information to obtain low-grade and weak mineral resources information and can effectively distinguish complex and superimposed anomalies. This will provide a basis for the local concentration and spatial variation rules of uranium distribution and the design of the parameters of the leaching uranium mining well site.

Super-enrichment of ultra-low concentration rhenium via synergistic co-flocculation precipitation using CTAB and ferric salt hydrolysis micelles

Super-enrichment and recovery of associated Rhenium (Re) in sandstone-type uranium deposits is challenging due to its sparse distribution and ultra-low contents in raw ores. Conventional industrial processes are extremely difficult to achieve economic recovery of Re with a concentration below 0.1 mg/L from in-situ leaching solutions of sandstone-type uranium deposits. This study proposes a novel approach for achieving super-enrichment ultra-low concentration of Re using a synergistic co-flocculation precipitation system composed of cetyltrimethylammonium-bromide (CTAB) and ferric salt (FeCl3) hydrolysis micelles. Experimental results reveal that the enriched content of Re in the co-flocculation precipitates is as high as 503 g/t, nearly 3353 times higher than that in the in-situ leaching solutions. The synergistic precipitation percentage of Re can reach more than 60%, which is larger than the sum of using CTAB micellar flocculation (30.16%) and FeCl3 hydrolysis micellar flocculation (5.43%) separately. Furthermore, the synergistic co-flocculation and precipitation mechanism of Re is examined by SEM, turbidity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Zeta potential analysis, and DTF calculations. Results demonstrate that the ReO4- anions first form ion associations with CTA+ cations through electrostatic force, which are subsequently captured to forms insoluble co-flocculating precipitate via weak intermolecular hydrogen bond force between Fe(OH)3 and ReO4-, which promotes the super-enrichment of the ultra-low concentration Re. In summary, this process presents great potential for the efficient recovery Re from a large amounts of sandstone-type uranium deposits leaching solution, and provides new insights into the enhancement mechanism of synergistic co-flocculation precipitation.

Distribution of Radionuclides in the Surface Covering of the Barun Uranium Mining Area in Erlian Basin, Inner Mongolia

In order to identify the distribution pattern of radionuclides in the surface soil in the area of a sandstone-type uranium deposit, and to explore its spatial relationship with the location of the orebody, soil radon measurements and ground gamma-ray spectroscopy were carried out in the Barun study area, and soil properties were analyzed. The results show that the soil radon concentrations exhibited a bimodal feature, while the uranium content showed a decreasing trend along the tendency direction of the orebody. In the ground projection area of the orebody, radon concentration showed a positive correlation with uranium content, with both showing relatively low values. Combined with the results of field geological observation and soil property analysis, it is believed that the relatively low radon concentration and uranium content above the orebody is related to the soil being mainly sandy soil. Relatively high uranium values are distributed within approximately 1.5 km north of the northern boundary of the orebody and near the southern boundary of the orebody. High-value radon anomalies occur within about 2 km north of the northern boundary of the orebody and within about 1.3 km south of the southern boundary of the orebody.

Permeability characteristics of sandstone-type uranium deposits under different temperature and confining pressure

Permeability characteristics of sandstone-type uranium deposits under different temperature and confining pressure

Uranium-Bearing Layers of Sandstone Type Uranium Deposits Identification and Three-Dimensional Reconstruction in the Northern Ordos Basin, North-Central China

Sandstone type uranium is the most valuable and has the most potential for mining among the known uranium deposits. In the process of forming, the hydrolytic migration and enrichment of uranium require special basin sedimentary environment and tectonic background. Therefore, the mineralization process of sandstone type uranium deposits has certain layering characteristics and distribution rules in the underground vertical depth space. It is important to mine the spatial distribution characteristics of vertical uranium-bearing layers, and thus, reconstruct the three-dimensions of uranium orebodies. In this paper, according to the metallogenic law and distribution characteristics of sandstone type uranium in the underground vertical space, a nonlinear uranium-bearing layers identification (NULI) method of sandstone type uranium is proposed by using different types, resolutions and scales of borehole data. Then, the depth of uranium mineralization for the Daying uranium deposit within northern Ordos Basin is identified accurately and the spatial distribution characteristics of the uranium-bearing layer on the exploration line are obtained. Finally, the occurrence mode of the underground uranium orebodies are presented by using three-dimensional reconstruction analysis. It provides a basis for the prediction, exploration and mining of sandstone type uranium deposits within the Ordos Basin.

A Review of the Metallogenic Mechanisms of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Hydrocarbon-Bearing Basins in China

As a valuable mineral resource, uranium is extensively utilized in nuclear power generation, radiation therapy, isotope labeling, and tracing. In order to achieve energy structure diversification, reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels, and promote the sustainable development of energy production and consumption, research on the metallogenic mechanisms and related development technologies of uranium resources has been one of the focuses of China’s energy development. Sandstone-type uranium deposits make up approximately 43% of all deposits in China, making them the most prevalent form of uranium deposit there. Sandstone-type uranium deposits and hydrocarbon resources frequently coexist in the same basin in China. Therefore, this study summarizes the spatial and chronological distribution, as well as the geological characteristics, of typical sandstone-type uranium deposits in China’s hydrocarbon-bearing basins. From the perspectives of fluid action, geological structure, and sedimentary environment, the metallogenic mechanisms of sandstone-type uranium deposits in hydrocarbon-bearing basins are explored. According to the research, the rapid reduction effect of oil and gas in the same basin is a major factor in the generation of relatively large uranium deposits. Additionally, ions such as CO32− and HCO3− in hydrothermal fluids of hydrocarbon-bearing basins, which typically originate from dispersed oil and gas, are more conducive to uranium enrichment and sedimentation. This study provides guidance for efficient sandstone-type uranium deposit exploration and production in hydrocarbon-bearing basins and helps to achieve significant improvements in uranium resource exploitation efficiency.

Reformability evaluation of blasting-enhanced permeability in in situ leaching mining of low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposits

It is essential to evaluate the blasting-enhanced permeability (BEP) feasibility of a low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit. In this work, the mineral composition, reservoir physical properties and rock mechanical properties of samples from sandstone-type uranium deposits were first measured. Then, the reformability evaluation method was established by the analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method (AHP-EWM) and the fuzzy mathematics method. Finally, evaluation results were verified by the split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experiment and permeability test. Results show that medium sandstone, argillaceous sandstone and siltstone exhibit excellent reformability, followed by coarse sandstone and fine sandstone, while the reformability of sandy mudstone is poor and is not able to accept BEP reservoir stimulation. The permeability improvement and the distribution of damage fractures before and after the SHPB experiment confirm the correctness of evaluation results. This research provides a reformability evaluation method for the BEP of the low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit, which contributes to the selection of the appropriate regional and stratigraphic horizon of the BEP and the enhanced ISL of the low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit.

Study on Mechanism of Oxygen Oxidation Leaching with Low Acid for High Acid Consumption Sandstone Uranium Deposit

In view of the problems of high acid consumption, the blockage of ore-bearing beds caused by iron ion precipitation and a low leaching rate in the conventional acid leaching of a sandstone-type uranium deposit, the author put forward “low-acid and oxygen leaching technology” research. In order to further clarify the mechanism of leaching sandstone-type uranium ore with low acid and oxygen, the oxidation mechanism of ferrous ion under acidic conditions, the influencing factors of ferrous ion oxidation process, the kinetic simulation of oxygen oxidizing uranium minerals, and the interaction of uranium and iron precipitation in acidic solution were analyzed and studied, and the mechanism of oxygen oxidizing uranium and uranium leaching under low acid conditions was explored. The results show that under the condition of low acidity, the kinetics that ferrous oxidized by oxygen is between the first-order and second-order reaction, which can reduce the iron ion precipitation and then reduce the influence of iron ion precipitation on uranium leaching, so as to improve the uranium leaching rate. This study confirmed the feasibility of the oxygen oxidation of uranium and uranium leaching under low acidity conditions, which has a good guiding significance for the effective leaching of uranium deposits with a high acid consumption.

A Reconstructed Method of Acoustic Logging Data and Its Application in Seismic Lithological Inversion for Uranium Reservoir

As a sedimentary mineral, most sandstone type uranium deposits are formed in petroliferous basins. Therefore, we can fully tap the residual economic value of historical logging and 3D seismic data measured for oil and gas to search for sandstone type uranium deposits. However, a large amount of acoustic logging data are missing in the target stratum of the uranium reservoir in that it is not the main stratum of oil and gas. A reconstructed method of acoustic logging data based on clustering analysis and with the low-frequency compensation of deterministic inversion is proposed to solve this problem. Secondly, we can use these logging data with seismic data to obtain the 3D inversion data volume representing the sand body of the uranium reservoir based on seismic lithological inversion. Then, we can also delimit the 3D spatial range of sandstone type uranium deposits in petroliferous basins based on the calibration of uranium anomaly and sub-body detection. Finally, a 3D field data example is given to test and analyze the effectiveness of the above research schemes.

Geochemical reactions altering the mineralogical and multiscale pore characteristics of uranium-bearing reservoirs during CO2 + O2in situ leaching

CO2 + O2in situ leaching has been extensively applied in uranium recovery in sandstone-type uranium deposits of China. The geochemical processes impact and constrain the leaching reaction and leaching solution migration; thus, it is necessary to study the CO2 + O2–water–rock geochemical reaction process and its influence on the physical properties of uranium-bearing reservoirs. In this work, a CO2 + O2–water–rock geochemical reaction simulation experiment was carried out, and the mineralogical and multiscale pore characteristics of typical samples before and after this simulation experiment were compared by X-ray diffraction and high-pressure mercury intrusion porosimetry (HPMIP). The results show that the CO2 + O2–water–rock geochemical reaction has complicated effects on the mineral compositions due to the various reaction modes and types. After the CO2 + O2–water–rock geochemical reaction, the femic minerals decrease and the clay minerals in the coarse sandstone, medium sandstone, fine sandstone, and siltstone increase, while the femic minerals and clay minerals in sandy mudstone show a contrary changing trend. The CO2 + O2–water–rock geochemical reaction decreases the total pore volume of uranium-bearing reservoirs and then promotes pore transformation from small scale to large scale. The fractal dimensions of macropores are decreased, and the fractal dimensions of mesopores, transition pores, and micropores are increased. The effects of felsic mineral and carbonate dissolution, secondary mineral precipitate, clay mineral swelling, and mineral particle migration are simultaneously present in the CO2 + O2in situ leaching process, which exhibit the positive transformation and the negative transformation for the uranium-bearing reservoirs. The mineral dissolution may improve reservoir permeability to a certain degree, while the siltation effect will gradually reveal with the extension of CO2 + O2in situ leaching. This research will provide a deep understanding of the physical property response of uranium-bearing reservoirs during CO2 + O2in situ leaching and indicate the direction for the efficient recovery of uranium resources.

Mineral Composition and Full-Scale Pore Structure of Qianjiadian Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits: Application for In Situ Leaching Mining

In situ leaching (ISL) is becoming the main mining practice for sandstone-type uranium deposits in China. The key to ISL technology is to aid the leaching solution in contacting the ore bed over a large range, which will induce a series of chemical reactions to extract uranium; thus, it is essential to thoroughly understand the reservoir physical properties of uranium deposits. Taking the Qianjiadian sandstone-type uranium deposits (southern Songliao Basin, China) as an example, the mineral composition and pore structure of samples in different layers were measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thin section analysis (TSA), low-temperature N2 adsorption (LTN2A), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and their influences on the ISL effect were analyzed. The results show that more than 65% of the minerals in the Qianjiadian uranium deposits are felsic minerals, and the carbonate minerals, clay minerals, and augite are auxiliary minerals. The primary intergranular pores, intergranular-dissolved pores, intragranular-dissolved pores, intercrystalline pores, and microfractures are developed in uranium deposits with various lithologies to different degrees. The macropores ( >1000 nm) and mesopores (100-1000 nm) of medium sandstone, argillaceous sandstone, and siltstone are well developed; in contrast, the proportions of micropores ( <10 nm) and transition pores (10-100 nm) in coarse sandstone, fine sandstone, and sandy mudstone are quite high. The heterogeneity of pores in uranium deposits of different lithologies is strong and influences the mineral composition and its fabric mode. Coarse sandstone, fine sandstone, and sandy mudstone are favorable for ISL mining in Qianjiadian uranium deposits because their permeability is above the required permeability threshold of ISL. The uranium deposits with permeability below the threshold are recommended to adopt the blasting-enhanced permeability method to improve their permeability for achieving large-scale and high-efficiency ISL mining. This study can provide guidance for the selection of favorable ore beds for ISL mining and reservoir stimulation methods in low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposits.

Ion migration in in-situ leaching (ISL) of uranium: Field trial and reactive transport modelling

Acid in-situ leaching (ISL) can be used as a mining technique for in situ uranium recover from underground. Acids and oxidants as lixiviants were continuously injected into a sandstone-type uranium deposit in Bayan-Uul (China). It was conducted to facilitate the dissolution of uranium minerals to generate uranyl ions, which could then be extracted for the recovery of uranium resources by the pumping cycle. A reactive transport model based on PHAST was developed to investigate the dynamic reactive migration process of uranium. The simulated results well reproduce the fluid dynamic evolution in the injecting and pumping units, as well as the dynamic release of uranium. The simulated leaching area indicates that the uranium ore leaching area was much larger than the acidification area. In addition, the pollution plume of uranium and acid water was larger than that of the leaching area, which can be used as a reference for uranium mining schemes. Furthermore, the parameter sensitivity analysis indicates the volume fraction of uranium ore and the reaction rate were the main factors affecting uranium leaching efficiency. Without considering the blockage of pores by precipitation, the Fe2+ in the reinjection fluid had a significant negative influence on uranium leaching.

Seismic interpretation of sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Songliao Basin, Northeast China

Nuclear energy is a clean energy source that can replace fossil energy on a large scale, and the nuclear energy industry has great advantages in terms of its technical maturity, economic potential, and sustainability. The stable supply of uranium ore, a type of energy mineral, is an important factor for the sustainable development of the nuclear energy industry; as a result, uranium ore has increasingly become the focus of current mineral exploration. We have used seismic attribute analysis, stratal slicing, and seismic inversion to characterize the Sifangtai Formation’s sandstone-type uranium deposit in area A of the central Songliao Basin. We conclude that seismic attribute analysis and the stratal slicing method can predict the continuous reservoir sand body in the study area, and seismic inversion can describe the spatial features of the reservoir sand body in detail. Further analysis of uranium-bearing drilling finds that uranium ore is located in the middle sand body of the lower segment of the Sifangtai Formation, in the middle of the study area, and that the predicted reservoir sand body meets the high-precision requirements for exploration. We use the combination of seismic interpretation and drilling analysis of uranium-bearing ore bodies to effectively predict the size and shape of uranium-bearing ore bodies, and this combined approach can provide guidance for uranium exploration. Furthermore, the results of this study also are significant for the prediction of sand bodies in uranium reservoirs.

Source-to-sink analysis of Mesozoic–Cenozoic sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Qaidam Basin

Accurate evaluation of uranium sources and identification of their spatiotemporal correlations with uranium deposits (or sinks) in sedimentary basins are important for exploring sandstone-type uranium deposits. This study examines the source-to-sink system of Mesozoic–Cenozoic sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Qaidam Basin (QB) through a literature review in conjunction with logging and seismic data and yields the following findings. (1) The uranium-supplying capacity of a source rock in the uranium source area depends on primarily its type and to a lesser extent, the tectonic zone where it is located and the episode during which it formed. (2) The initial uranium content, U0, is the core parameter for classifying and evaluating the uranium-supplying capacity of a source rock. At U0 > 1.5 ppm, uranium begins to migrate from a source rock. The uranium variation coefficient, ΔU, and the amount of uranium migration, ΔUt, decrease continuously to –55 % and –5 ppm respectively as U0 increases up to 9.5 ppm, which suggests that at most 5 ppm of uranium in the source rocks can migrate away. As U0 increases beyond 9.5 ppm, ΔU and ΔUt fluctuate around –55 % and –7 ppm respectively, which suggests that approximately 7 ppm of the uranium in the source rocks can migrate away. (3) Of the different types of rocks, silicic igneous rocks (including both intrusive and volcanic igneous rocks) and granitic gneisses have the highest uranium-supplying capacity; intermediate igneous rocks and gneisses come second; mafic–ultramafic igneous rocks and the other metamorphic rocks (except granitic gneiss and gneiss) come third. Of the sub-source areas (tectonic zones), the western segment of the Eastern Kunlun and the Qiman Tagh have the highest uranium-supplying capacity; the Central and Southern Altyn Tagh come second; the others come third. (4) Uranium sources are the fundamental prerequisite for the formation of uranium sinks. Other geological factors control the specific formation process of uranium sinks as well as their spatiotemporal distribution patterns. For QB, the most economic and prospective uranium sink, Neogene formations of Gy anticline, was fed by the source areas which had the highest uranium-supplying capacity. This suggests that the Neogene of WEK anticline belt, Quaternary of Kumukol Basin and Qarqan River Basin are the most noteworthy metallogenic prospective areas. The uranium-source evaluation scheme and “source-to-sink” ore exploration approach introduced in this study have practical value for advancing the exploration of uranium deposits in sedimentary basins in northern China and other parts of the world.