Exploration strategies for Uranium deposits

Kurt Kyser, Paul Alexandre, Paul Polito, Merline Djouka-Fonkwe, 

Department of Geological Sciences Geological Engineering, Queen s University, Kingston, ON CANADA 

Keywords uranium, geochronology, basins, exploration, geochemistry 

The timing of events that have subsequently affected the ores can also reveal when elements such as radiogenic Pb have been mobilized from the deposits and moved into the surrounding environment. These elements would elevate element concentrations in the surrounding environment, with gradients in concentrations as vectors to the deposits (Hoik et al. 2003, Kister et al. 2004). 

Although specific tectonic environments, structural settings and lithologies are required for all U deposit types, none of these are definitive indicators of mineralization because most of these settings, structures and lithologies do not host deposits. Thus, they are required for the deposits to form, but are not definitive indicators of mineralization. In effect, the only definitive indicators are geochemical, both in terms of U concentration and in the associated elements. 

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