Advances in Uranium Metallogenic Theory, Exploration and Exploitation

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 5483

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: genesis of endogenic uranium polymetallic deposits
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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources (China University of Geosciences), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: sedimentology of uranium reservoirs; diagenesis and mineralization of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits

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Guest Editor
Division of Geology and Mineral Resources, Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, CNNC, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: regional metallogenic dynamics and typical U deposit research on endogenic geological process, including granite-hosted, volcanic related and metamorphic-anatectic related U deposits

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Guest Editor
Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Interests: hydrothermal-related uranium deposits and geochemistry of in-situ minerals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural uranium resources play an important role in providing green energy in human society for seeking low-carbon development. Many countries have considered nuclear energy as an important direction in future energy strategies. Recently, a series of advances have been achieved in the metallogenic theory, exploration and exploitation of different types of uranium deposits in the world. Therefore, we propose this Special Issue to share these new discoveries. This Special Issue will cover a wide range of related topics of uranium resources, including—but not limited to—the following sections:

Section 1 Advance in metallogenic theory of uranium and uranium polymetallic deposits.

Section 2 New breakthroughs and progress in uranium exploration and exploitation.

Section 3 New technologies and methods related to metallogenic theory, exploration, and exploitation of uranium deposits.

Dr. Shuiyuan Yang
Dr. Hui Rong
Dr. Chunying Guo
Dr. Jincheng Luo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • geology of newly discovered uranium deposits
  • genesis of uranium deposits
  • uranium mineralization with other mineral resources
  • uranium metallogenic dynamics
  • structural and/or sedimentary control on uranium deposits
  • new methods of uranium exploration using geophysics, geochemistry and remote sensing
  • new exploitation methods in uranium resources

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 10871 KiB  
Article
3D Geological Modeling and Metallogenic Prediction of Kamust Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit in the Eastern Junggar Basin, NW China
by Yingying Geng, Zhangyue Liu, Zhongbo He, Pengfei Zhu, Shaohua Huang and Huali Ji
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100988 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1083
Abstract
Sandstone-type uranium deposits hold significant value and promise within China’s uranium resource portfolio, with the majority of these deposits found at the junctions of basins and mountains within Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins. The Kamust uranium mining area, located in the eastern part of [...] Read more.
Sandstone-type uranium deposits hold significant value and promise within China’s uranium resource portfolio, with the majority of these deposits found at the junctions of basins and mountains within Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins. The Kamust uranium mining area, located in the eastern part of the Junggar Basin, represents a significant recent discovery. Prior research on this deposit has been confined to two-dimensional analyses, which pose limitations for a comprehensive understanding of the deposit’s three-dimensional characteristics. To address the issue of uranium resource reserve expansion, this study employs 3D geological modeling and visualization techniques, guided by uranium deposit models and mineral prediction methods. First, a 3D model database of the Kamust uranium deposit was constructed, comprising drill holes, uranium ore bodies, ore-controlling structures, interlayer oxidation zones, and provenance areas. This model enables a transparent and visual representation of the spatial distribution of favorable mineralization horizons, structures, stratigraphy, and other predictive elements in the mining area. Second, based on the three-dimensional geological model, a mineral prediction model was established by summarizing the regional mineralization mechanisms, ore-controlling factors, and exploration indicators. Combined with big-data technology, this approach facilitated the quantitative analysis and extraction of ore-controlling factors, providing data support for the three-dimensional quantitative prediction of deep mineralization in the Kamust uranium deposit. Finally, using three-dimensional weights of evidence and three-dimensional information-quantity methods, comprehensive information analysis and quantitative prediction of deep mineralization were conducted. One prospective area was quantitatively delineated, located east of the Kalasay monocline, which has been well-validated in geological understanding. The research indicates that the area east of the Kalasay monocline in the Kamust mining district has significant exploration potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Uranium Metallogenic Theory, Exploration and Exploitation)
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18 pages, 25290 KiB  
Article
A Review of the Genetic Mechanism of Megacrystalline Uraninite in the Kangdian Region, China
by Minghui Yin, Zhengqi Xu, Chengjiang Zhang, Youliang Chen, Hao Song and Jian Yao
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070642 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 836
Abstract
Naturally occurring granular uranium particles are typically fine and are often found as accessory minerals. However, reports of megacrystalline uraninite are rare. The discovery of megacrystalline uraninite is a significant achievement in uranium prospecting and mineralogy in the Kangdian region and China. Our [...] Read more.
Naturally occurring granular uranium particles are typically fine and are often found as accessory minerals. However, reports of megacrystalline uraninite are rare. The discovery of megacrystalline uraninite is a significant achievement in uranium prospecting and mineralogy in the Kangdian region and China. Our team’s research and review of previous studies have led to a systematic summary of the formation age, genetic types, relationship with migmatization, and metallogenic dynamic background of megacrystalline uraninite in the Kangdian region. The key findings are as follows: (1) the formation age of megacrystalline uraninite is Neoproterozoic (790–770 Ma); (2) migmatization preceded uranium mineralization; (3) the formation of megacrystalline uraninite is linked to high-temperature, low-pressure metamorphism caused by partial melting; (4) and the formation of megacrystalline uraninite may be associated with the Rodinia rifting event. This review aims to enhance our understanding of uranium mineralization during the Neoproterozoic in China and worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Uranium Metallogenic Theory, Exploration and Exploitation)
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24 pages, 9935 KiB  
Article
Insights from Dikes for Multistage Granitic Magmatism in the Huayangchuan Uranium Polymetallic Deposit, Qinling Orogen
by Wenyi Wang, Shuang Tan, Jianjun Wan, Xuelian Hu, Haoyang Peng and Chengdong Liu
Minerals 2024, 14(3), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14030261 - 29 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1299
Abstract
The Huayangchuan U-polymetallic deposit in the Qinling Orogen is a newly verified carbonatite-hosted deposit on the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) in Central China. Granitic magmatism is extensively developed in the Huayangchuan deposit area and is lacking analysis on the [...] Read more.
The Huayangchuan U-polymetallic deposit in the Qinling Orogen is a newly verified carbonatite-hosted deposit on the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) in Central China. Granitic magmatism is extensively developed in the Huayangchuan deposit area and is lacking analysis on the reasons for these situations; however, its ages, petrogenesis, and relationship with uranium mineralization are not well constrained. Zircon U–Pb ages for the hornblende-bearing granite porphyry and medium-fine-grained biotite granites in close proximity to carbonatite rocks are 229.8 ± 1.1 and 135.3 ± 0.6 Ma, respectively. High-K calc-alkaline series and weakly peraluminous Triassic hornblende-bearing granite porphyry are slightly enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) with flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns, enriched in Ba and Sr, and depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, i.e., geochemical characteristics similar to those of adakite-like rocks. The Early Cretaceous medium-fine-grained biotite granites are characterized by LREE enrichment and flat HREE patterns, which belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, and metaluminous belong to weakly peraluminous I-type granite, with U and large ion lithophile element (LILE) enrichment and high field strength element depletion. The high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and enriched Nd (εNd(t) = −10.7 to −9.5 and −19.9 to −18.9, respectively) and Hf (εHf(t) = −21.8 to −13.0 and −30.5 to −19.0, respectively) isotopes revealed that both granitic rocks from the Huayangchuan deposit mainly originated from lower crustal materials, generated by partial melting of the ancient basement materials of the Taihua Group. Triassic hornblende-bearing granite porphyry is significantly different from the mantle origin of the contemporaneous U-mineralization carbonatite. In combination with tectonic evolution, we argue that the Qinling Orogenic Belt was affected by the subduction of the North Mianlian Ocean during the Late Triassic. The ongoing northward subduction of the Yangtze Craton resulted in crustal thickening, forming large-scale Indosinian carbonatites, U-polymetallic mineralization, and contemporaneous intermediate-acid magmatism. Additionally, due to the tectonic system transformation caused by Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction, intracontinental lithosphere extension and lithospheric thinning occurred along the southern NCC margin in the Early Cretaceous. Intense magma underplating of the post-orogeny created a large number of magmatic rocks. The tremendous heat could have provided a thermal source and dynamic mechanism for the Yanshanian large-scale U-polymetallic mineralization events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Uranium Metallogenic Theory, Exploration and Exploitation)
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15 pages, 6576 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Prediction and Evaluation of Baiyanghe Uranium Deposit in the Xuemistan Volcanic Belt, Xinjiang
by Yun Bai, Chunying Guo, Pengfei Zhu, Jianji Tian and Zilan He
Minerals 2023, 13(11), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111408 - 2 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1249
Abstract
Taking the Baiyanghe uranium deposit in Xinjiang as an example, the authors used the 3D geologic modeling and analysis software SKUA-GOCAD to establish a 3D geologic model of its topography, structure, stratum, granite, and ore body based on the study and knowledge of [...] Read more.
Taking the Baiyanghe uranium deposit in Xinjiang as an example, the authors used the 3D geologic modeling and analysis software SKUA-GOCAD to establish a 3D geologic model of its topography, structure, stratum, granite, and ore body based on the study and knowledge of the geologic background, characteristics, and metallogenic rules of the deposit. Meanwhile, the authors summarized the 3D prediction model, conducted a quantitative extraction and analysis of favorable metallogenic information, and carried out the 3D prediction and study on the Baiyanghe uranium deposit by combining the 3D weights of the evidence method and the 3D informational method. Based on the analysis and prediction results, the deep prospecting target area was delineated. The 3D metallogenic prediction of the uranium deposit was achieved, which has provided technical support for the exploration of the Baiyanghe uranium deposit and a beneficial reference for the 3D metallogenic prediction of other minerals. Such a practice can provide a certain practical application value and a reference value for the research in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Uranium Metallogenic Theory, Exploration and Exploitation)
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