Citation: | AN Guobao, LIU Haibo, FENG Yonglai, XIN Cunlin, CAI Yuqi, HU Juying. 2024. Petrological characteristics and origin of the sandstone−type uranium deposits in the northern Sichuan Basin[J]. Geology in China, 51(3): 881-897. doi: 10.12029/gc20200813001 |
This paper is the result of mineral exploration engineering.
Uranium resources are China's important strategic resources and energy minerals. The thorough understanding of geological characteristics and metallogenic models of sandstone–type uranium deposits in the northern Sichuan Basin is to the benefit of exploration and development.
The petrological characteristics of sandstone–type uranium deposits are studied through field investigation, rock and mineral identification and geochemical analysis, and the mineralization process is analyzed.
The ore–bearing rocks are mainly the calcareous cementation medium–fine–grained sandstone and conglomerate of the Lower Cretaceous Cangxi Formation. Uranium exists in the form of authigenic uranium minerals. Uranium minerals are mainly coffinite, which are in xenomorphic, euhedral and hypautomorphic granular.
The metamorphic acidic volcanic rocks and granites of the Tiechuanshan Formation in Micangshan provided the initial uranium source for the formation of sandstone–type uranium deposits in the basin. Uranium migrates in the form of carbonic acid containing uranyl ions in the aqueous solution. The reductive environment of swamps and stagnant water rich in organic matter and pyrite destroys the carbonic acid containing uranyl ions, causing uranium to precipitate and accumulate in the primary diagenesis stage and secondary epigenesis stage.
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Geotectonic map of study area
Geological map of study area
Photos of typical samples
Polarizing microscope and electron probe image of uranium ore
Electronic probe and scanning electron microscope image of uranium ore
Scanning image of uranium ore energy spectrum surface of 50 uranium ore occurrence
Scanning image of uranium ore energy spectrum surface of 301 uranium deposit
Scanning electron microscopic image of uranium−bearing volcanic rock in Micangshan
Schematic diagram of ancient channel ore control in Cretaceous
Schematic diagram of faults tectonic distribution and tectonic ore control in northeastern Sichuan basin (modified from Tao Weizhong, 1989)