Nanoscale relationships between uranium and carbonaceous material in alteration halos around unconformity-related uranium deposits of the Kiggavik camp, Paleoproterozoic Thelon Basin, Nunavut, Canada

Abstract

Cretaceous roll-front deposits and the world-class Paleoproterozoic unconformity-related deposits. However, the unusual spatial and textural association of U minerals and CM described herein raises questions on mechanisms that may have been responsible for the precipitation of the CM followed by crystallization of U oxides on its surfaces. Based on the characteristics presented herein, the CMs at Kiggavik are interpreted as hydrothermal in origin. Furthermore, the nanoscale organization and properties of these graphene-like layers that host U oxide crystallites clearly localized U oxide nucleation and growth.

Preliminary Survey for Uranium in Cretaceous Sandstones of Bonako-Sole Areas, Ngondo Complex, Southwestern Cameroon

“…Thus U 6+ is highly mobile under oxidizing conditions while U 4+ is stable under reducing conditions [23]. The precipitation of U in most deposits is related to a decrease of O 2 which usually comes about as a result of the interaction of oxidized U-bearing fluids with carbonaceous matter under various states [48]. Some other potential reductants include; H 2 S, magnetite, ilmenite, and sulfides [18].…”