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New Data on Minerals. 2010. Vol. 45 101

MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF THE ORE COMPOSITION: SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE Andrey A. Chernikov IRAS Fersman Mineralogical Museum, RAS, Moscow, [email protected], [email protected]

Currently, more than 150 uranium and uranium-bearing minerals are known. Most of them pertain to the uranyl group formed under oxidative conditions reflecting physicochemical parameters in the mineral compositions or mineral assemblages. The uranyl minerals compose the following economic ores: (1) ura- nophane-beta – zeolites (Berezovyi and Gornyi deposits, Transbaikalia), (2) the uranyl minerals associat- ed with zeolites (Severnyi deposit, NE , granite in Bulgaria), (3) parsonsite (La Chaux deposit, France), and (4) uranyl phosphates in argillic granite (Durulgui deposit, Transbaikalia). In addition, large uranium deposits as calcretes and calcretes with the other uranyl minerals are known from Australia and Namibia, respectively. Cut off ore (up to 0.01% U) and blocks with low uranium grade (up to 0.005% and lower) are economic at the deposits with the uranyl minerals in the case of geotechnological mining or heap-leaching processing, for example schrö ckingerite deposits in Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Such deposits can be large and superlarge. In the fresh economic ore, uranium (IV) minerals are oxides (nasturan, , sooty pitchblende), titanates (brannerite and its transition varieties), silicates (coffinite and silicates of variable composition), and less frequent uranium (IV) phosphates and molybdates. Uranium-bearing minerals are apatite, Ti, Zr, and Th oxides and silicates, and zeolites. The ore deposition is significantly affected by the near-surface and deep-seated supergene alteration. The additional exploration and estimation criteria for uranium deposits are proposed. These criteria allow discovery of uranium deposits in: (1) north of the Strel’tsovsk structure, South-East Transbaikalia, (2) Akitkan district and -Olekma block, northern Baikal Region, and (3) Western Siberian Plate. 1 table, 7 figures, 56 references. Keywords: uranium (IV) minerals, uranyl minerals, uranium-bearing minerals, large and superlarge urani- um deposits, prediction of uranium deposits

According to the expression by V.I. Ver - the oxidizing zone of uranium deposits whose nadsky on ubiquity of uranium, currently, fresh ores are below oxidizing zone. Recently, more than 150 uranium and uranium-bearing such fresh ore was the major object of mining. mineral species are known. Most them be - of oxidizing zone of uranium longing to the uranyl group are formed under deposits was multiple reported in geological oxidative conditions; in this case, the compo- literature (Frondel, 1958; Heinrich, 1958; sition of separate mineral species and mineral Gritsaenko et al., 1959; Konstantinov and assemblages reflect physicochemical param- Kulikova, 1960; Evseeva and Perel’man, 1962; eters of mineral-forming medium. The uranyl Supergene…, 1965; Formation…, 1976; Cher - minerals are hydroxides, silicates, phos- nikov, 1981, 1982, 1996, 2001, 2008, 2009; phates, arsenates, vanadates, carbonates, sul- Mineralogy…, 1983; Large…, 1984; Typo mor - fates, molybdates, selenites, tellurites, and phic features…, 1989; Kulish and Mikhailov, minerals of the more complex anion and ca - 2004; Chernikov and Dorfman, 2004; Cher -

tion composition. Iron and manganese oxides nikov et al., 20091, 20092 and other). Redistri - and hydroxides, apatite, zeolites, powellite, bution of uranium in oxidizing zone of urani- wulfenite, clay minerals, and other uranyl- um deposits is important to be described. bearing minerals are attributed to the U-bear- ing minerals. Types of oxidizing zones formed In addition, amorphous phases and poor- after economic fresh uranium ores crystallized uranyl hydroxides, as well as Fe, Si, Ti, Zr, Th, and more complex uranyl According to distribution of uranium, the hydroxides and uranyl-bearing hydroxides following types of oxidizing zone of uranium are known. All these minerals are formed in deposits are distinguished: (1) leached or sig- NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 102

102 New Data on Minerals. 2010. Vol. 45

nificantly depleted in uranium oxidizing zone menbashi (former Krasnovodsk), Turkme - in comparison with fresh ore; (2) oxidizing nistan exemplifies subtype 3a. In the oxidizing zone with uranium grade like fresh ore; (3) zone of this deposit, hydroxides, phosphates oxidizing zone with ore enriched in uranium and other uranyl minerals were identified. in comparison with fresh ore. The first type is However, silicates (mainly ) and divided into three subtypes. Subtype 1a in - uranyl vanadates (strelkinite, carnotite, and cludes oxidizing zones without uranyl mine- tyuyamunite) are more abundant. Completely rals or they are insignificant (Byk deposit, oxidized ore of this deposit in which only Caucuses Mineral Waters, Russia; Adrasman uranyl minerals were identified contains three deposit, Kara-Mazar, Tajikistan). times more uranium and mixed ore (with Roll and similar deposits in Southern uranyl minerals, sooty pitchblende and relict Kazakhstan, Central Asia, , Transbai- nasturan), – 2.8 times more uranium to 1 m kalia, and sedimentary basins in Bulgaria and depth in comparison with sooty pitchblende- other countries may be attributed to this sub- nasturan ore. Oxidizing zone enriched in ura- type. Oxidizing zones with the uranyl mine- nium in comparison with fresh ore is formed in rals, which are economic ore only on the sepa- U-V deposits, for example, Shakoptar and rate levels (Druzhnyi, Elkon, and Plato depo- Maili Sai, Kirgizstan and Pap, Uzbekistan. sits, Elkon district, Aldan, Russia), pertain to It is evidently that elevated uranium grade the 1b subtype. Subtype 1c includes oxidizing in oxidized coal whose fresh variety has a zones with the uranyl minerals in ores deplet- background concentration of this element ed in uranium in comparison with replaced should be attributed to subtype 3a. Uranium fresh ores (Strel’tsovsk, Luchistyi, and Tulu - frequently concentrates with rare and noble kuevo deposits, Southeastern Transbaika lia, metals in grade of 0.0n–0.n% in ash of oxi- Russia). dized coal of many coal basins in Siberia, In the second-type oxidizing zones, sub- Transbaikalia, Russian Far East, Mongolia, types 2a and 2b are distinguished. In subtype Kazakhstan, and Bulgaria. For example, ash of 2a, uranium grade in oxidized and fresh ore is oxidized coal from the Adun-Chulun deposit, approximately identical (Chasovoi deposit, Mongolia contains 0.11–0.33% U, up to Transbaikalia; Cherkasar deposit, Kurama 0.45% REE, 0.36–2.1 g/t Au, up to 350 g/t Co, Ridge, Uzbekistan). In subtype 2b, uranium and elevated concentrations of other impor- grade at separate levels of oxidizing zone is tant chemical elements (Arbuzov et al., 2008). lesser than in the fresh ore. Most oxidizing The processing of ash of power-station utiliz- zones of the 1c subtype are similar to those of ing such coal will favorable for environment in the 2b subtype. The major difference is that in the districts of its storage because recovery of subtype 1c, all oxidizing zone is depleted in uranium will decide a problem of radioactive uranium, whereas in subtype 2b, only separate environmental pollution. levels are depleted in uranium. The Major The oxidizing zone of the Komsomolsk ra - Zone of the Tabashary deposit, Kara-Mazar, re metal-uranium deposit, western outer con- Tajikistan exemplifies this subtype (Cherni - tact and near-contact igneous rocks of the

kov, 19811). Geochemical and mineralogical Kuu granite pluton, Central Kazakhstan (Cher-

features of both type oxidizing zones are nikov, 19812; Chernikov and Dorfman, 2004) applied for ore prediction below oxidizing exemplify subtype 3b. In the uppermost part zone. The composition of the uranyl minerals of the oxidizing zone of this deposit, shrö- and associated minerals of the other elements kingerite (Fig. 1) and small amount of urano- and their zoned distribution determine the phane were identified. The clusters of shrö- formation type of deposit and its economic kingerite form near-surface subzone (vertical importance. extension from 2 to 5 m) significantly enri - The third-type oxidizing zones are divided ched in uranium. The mineral identified along into two subtypes: (3a) deposits with rich ore in tectonic fractures far from orebodies occurs as all oxidizing zone and (3b) deposits with large clusters in the Quaternary loose sedi- enriched oxidized ore at the near-surface level ments and at the upper levels of tectonic that gives way to oxidized leached zone. The zones, which are not associated with major Sernyi deposit located ~200 km east of Turk- ore-bearing structures. NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 103

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the uranium ore composition: scientific and practical importance 103

Subzone of leached uranium with small number of uranophane and autunite (probab - ly, also uranospinite) is below the shrökin - gerite subzone down to tens to hundred meters. This subzone is followed by the zone enriched in uranium (vertical extension to several dozen meters) with sooty pitchblende and clay matter absorbing uranium; in turn this zone gives way to the zone depleted in uranium and low-grade zone. Nasturan, urani- nite, and brannerite were identified in the low- grade zone. Lead isotopic composition and radioactive isotopes in minerals and mineral assemblages clearly record intensity of supergene redistri- bution of uranium in geological section of the Komsomolsk deposit. The distribution of min- eral assemblages and lead isotopic ratio and relationship of radioactive isotopes in these assemblages allowed hematitization of rocks Fig. 1. Schröckingerite in clay of the Komsomol’sk deposit, before Early Triassic, when the main stage of Central Kazakhstan. Size of segregation is 6.5×7 mm. erosion of Paleozoic sediments took place. Hematitization was strong at the Komsomolsk deposits, where the uranyl minerals are the deposit. After that, during Jurassic, Tertiary, major constituents of economic ore formed and Quaternary, at the deposits and occur- without evident relation to any fresh econom- rences located in near-contact igneous rocks ic concentrations of uranium. At first place, and outer contact of the Kuu pluton to which these are uranophane-beta – zeolite ore of this deposit is related, supergene minerals the Berezovyi and Gornyi deposits (Cher -

with highly redistributed uranium and other nikov, 19811, 2001; Chernikov et al., 1983), ore minerals were formed. The strong leached many occurrences of southern Central Trans- U and Mo lead to the limited formation of baikalia, and some border occurrences in their minerals in the oxidizing zone and newly Mongolia. The ores with the uranyl minerals formed minerals precipitated in the cementa- hosted in granite of the Severnyi deposit and tion zone. Only during late Quaternary, gyp- some occurrences of NE Russia, and zones of sum and shrökingerite started to precipitate in zeolite altered granite in Bulgaria belong to soil, Quaternary sediments, and upper level of this type. weathering profile, including upper level of In the zones of zeolite altered granite of previously leached oxidizing zone. Since the southern Central Transbaikalia (Chikoi- shrökingerite accumulated during Upper Ingoda structural zone), uranophane-beta is Quaternary at different distance from source one or predominant uranium mineral of ore at and leached zones are poor documented, the deep level (from 150–300 to >700 m below probability of finding of uranium economic surface). Small number of apatite, quartz- concentration at deep level of the Kom so - apatite, and silica veinlets were found, where molsk deposit is high. In this case, near-sur- the finest segregations of nasturan and coffi- face clusters of shrökingerite are of economic nite with electron microscope had been interest for heap leaching. established. Nasturan was identified with electron microscope in the core of radiated Deposits of uranium minerals segregations of uranophane-beta (Fig. 2). of oxidizing zone without evident However, the contribution of U-bearing relation to fresh economic ore apatite and silica veinlets and nasturan from uranophane-beta segregations to total urani- In addition to the deposits with aforemen- um reserves at the deposits does not exceed tioned types of oxidizing zone, there are 0.0n and 0.00n%. Uranophane-beta precipi- NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 104

104 New Data on Minerals. 2010. Vol. 45

tated in alkaline environment is the major ore mineral at the Berezovyi and Gornyi deposits

(Chernikov, 19811, 2001; Typomorphic fea- tures…, 1989). This mineral is replaced by uranophane upward due to pH increasing under effect of penetrated meteoric water, and at the depth of 50–150 m under weakly acidic conditions, by yellow autunite (Fig. 3). Upward, in weakly reductive acidic environ- ment, yellow autunite, uranophane, and ura- nophane-beta are replaced by dark green autunite (Fig. 4) containing U4+. In this case, near surface, the rare phenomenon is observ- able. Therein, the uranium (VI) contained in uranyl is reduced partly to tetravalent state Fig. 2. Radiated segregations of uranophane-beta with nastu- because of introducing organic matter ran (N) located in the cores of these segregations, Gornyi removed from soil and swamped places, deposit, Central Transbaikalia. ×7500. rather than oxidation level of ore increases. At the Gornyi deposit, insignificant amount of kasolite was observed and at the Berezovyi deposit, among listed varieties of autunite, single grains of sabugalite were indentified. At the Severnyi deposit and occurrences of the Shumilovo pluton, where the greisen mineralization is abundant, in addition to uranophane-beta, uranophane, and autunite, torbernite and uranyl arsenates (zeunerite and uranospinite) are abundant. Autunite is the most abundant in the ore of the Durulgui deposit, southern East Transbaikalia, where only uranyl mineral were found. Just at this deposit, dark green autunite, containing tetravalent uranium was Fig. 3. Plates of yellow autunite on limonitized granite, found for the first time in Russia in 1958 Berezovyi deposit, Central Transbaikalia. ×10. (Chernikov et al., 1964). Therein, torbernite (Fig. 5) and sabugalite are less frequent. Uranyl minerals are associated with clay min- erals, limonite, and manganese oxides. At the La Chaux deposit, France, parsonsite is the major ore mineral (Branche et al., 1951). It fills fractures and cavities in smoky quartz associating with -like quartz, cerussite, pyromorphite, limonite, and manganese oxides. Other uranyl minerals, torbernite, autunite, dewindite, and kasolite are rare in this assemblage. Only autunite was described from occurrences at the Sila Plateau, Calabria, South Italy (The Formation…, 1976). Carnotite is one ore mineral identified in the Yeelirrie calcrete deposit, Western Australia forming large uranium reservs (So - Fig. 4. Plates of dark green autunite, Durulgui deposit, Central foulis, 1962; Premoli, 1976; The Formation…, Transbaikalia. ×10. 1976; Laverov et al., 1983). This mineral NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 105

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the uranium ore composition: scientific and practical importance 105

occurs as film along horizontal stratification of waterpenetrating carbonate or carbonate- rich rocks. In the other U-bearing calcretes of Western Australia, tyuyamunite is dominant over carnotite. Calcretes in Namibia and probably in Somali, Africa, are similar to the Yeelirrie calcretes, but in Namibia, uranyl minerals are closely associated with U-free . Like Yeelirrie, the films of carnotite in Somali fill interstices, fractures, and cavi- ties in calctere, marble, clay, and broken car- bonate at depth down to 8 m below surface only over ground-water level. Australian or African-type near-surface calcrete-type orebodies with different uranyl minerals were identified in the northern part of Uch-Kuduk deposit adjacent to the Paleozoic granite pluton, Uzbekistan. Ore- bodies occurred at the depth of 1–3 m below surface in the Quaternary loam are concen- trated at the talus and proluvium bottom part- ly involving upper carbonatized sediments (calcretes). The Quaternary loam is strongly gypsinate and uranium minerals in it occur as

eyes and small lenses ranging from few mm to Fig. 5. Crystals of torbernite in leached cavity, Durulgui deposit, 3 cm in size. These eyes and lenses are fine- Central Transbaikalia. ×15. grained loose clusters saturated by earthy uranyl silicates and carbonates. They are crete. However, their largest clusters are weakly gypsinate in the places of the thickest established in loam, where they occur as yel- mineralized loam (3 m). Bands of strongly low band ranging from few cm to 10–15 cm gypsinate are over uranium mineralization. thick following along rough of calcrete. As thickness of the Quaternary sediments Hence, uranium mineralization in the Quater- decreases, ore band gradually joins to the nary loam was formed previously gypsinate bands of gypsinate loam. In this case, gypsifi- rocks, but after carbonation. According to cation is accompanied with removal of urani- relationship of radioactive isotopes in the ore um. According to bulk analysis of samples samples (Table 1), the rocks were carbona- taken through the section of the Quaternary tized before 230 ky and gypsification, later sediments, there is no clear relationship 40 ky. These data are satisfactory consistent

between uranium grade and concentration of with previously results (Chernikov, 19812, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe. The samples enriched in 1982) concerning intensity of formation of 2- SO4 are dramatically depleted in uranium. uranium minerals during periods transited Microscopically, the replacement of uranium from warming to cold spell (Fig. 6). minerals by gypsum is observable. In the Mineral assemblages and their zoned dis- places of the most abundant gypsum, urani- tribution determine the formation type of um is leached down to 0.02–0.03%. deposits and their economic importance. The In the district of the Uch-Kuduk ore field, deposits with uranyl minerals can be mined lenses of gravelite with carbonate cement are by underground leaching or heap leaching. In frequently identified, but they are mineral- the case of such exploitation of orebodies, ized only at the contact with granite, where both rich and cut off (up to 0.01% U) ores are relicts of uranium minerals are frequently economic. Taking into account easy solubili- observed. Uranium minerals, haiweeitwe, ty of mineral, the rocks with 0.005% U and weeksite, and liebigite-type uranyl carbonate probably lower in the near-surface shrö - fill fractures and cavities in the upper cal- kingerite clusters of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 106

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Table 1. Age of uranium mineralization in calcrete and loam

Characteristic of sample U234/U238 Io/U238 Ra/U238 Age, ky Calcretes with the uranyl minerals 2.18 1.09 – 230 Lower loam enriched in the uranyl minerals 1.46 1.18 1.06 190 The same 1.68 1.25 1.18 185 Gypsinate loam with the uranyl minerals 1.45 1.27 – 180 Liebigite with gypsum 1.45 0.89 – 120 Weeksite and haiweeite with gypsum 1.46 0.39 – 40

and possibly the United States (Frondel, chalcopyrite ore with nasturan (very rare 1958; Sheridan et al., 1961) and other arid barannerite), native gold, and silver minerals areas are applied to exploit. The reserves of in hematite breccia, which are described from uranium in such deposits can be significantly the Olympic Dam largest deposit, Southern increased to large and superlarge. For examp- Australia. Ores with uraninite (less frequent le, at the Nars deposit, Mongolia (Minerals of nasturan, brannerite, coffinite, and U-bearing Mongolia, 2006), the shrökingerite clusters carbonaceous matter) and native gold charac- are followed by workings for 11 km along teristic of the Witwatersrand Precambrian striking of ore-bearing beds. Broad areas of System, South Africa were also not found in the shrökingerite mineralization were found Russia and neighbor countries. Brannerite ore in the other districts of Mongolia, Southern type with native gold hosted in potassic and Central Kazakhstan, and Kirgizstan. feldspar alteration is original and infrequent- ly described worldwide. All these ore types Uranium minerals are characterized completely. Therefore, con- of fresh economic ore crete change of ore composition allows esti- mating physicochemical parameters of ore In fresh economic ores, uranium minerals deposition, formation type of mineral deposit present lesser number of mineral species: and its age, and erosion level. For example, oxides (uraninite, sooty pitchblende and nas- change of mineral composition and size of turan), titanates (brannerite and its transition- mineral segregations in the ore of the Strel’- al varieties), silicates (coffinite and uranium tsovsk deposit, southeastern Transbaikalia as silicates of variable composition), less fre- groundwater penetrating downward (Cher - quent uranium (IV) phosphates and mo lyb - nikov et al., 2008) is a feature of formation of dates. In addition, at the Radium Hill deposit, minerals that is identified in wildlife. At the where uranium ore is related to the high-tem- border between air and land, higher organ- perature hydrothermal veins, ore minerals is isms having the greatest size habit together davidite poor studied, in which Fe is partly with protozoa, whereas at the depth of hun- substituted by REE and U. At the deposits of dred meters to few km, there are only proto- the Former Soviet Union, this mineral was not zoa. At the upper level of the Strel’tsovsk established. Many researches describe it as structure, frequently well crystallized urani- ilmenite with inclusions of uraninite. um minerals (Fig. 7) occur as large crystals. Uranium-bearing minerals are apatite, Downward, they decrese in size and from titanium oxides and silicates, oxides and hyd- 1500 to 2600 m, they are poor crystallized or roxides of Nb, Zr, and Th, clay minerals, and amorphous occurred as nanoscaled segrega- zeolite. Mineral assemblages of uranium and tions of uranium silicates, U-Ti compounds, uranium-bearing species and uranium-free and less frequent uranium oxides. Usually, minerals are widely variable (Laverov et al., they are hydrated compositionally ranging 1992); composition of uranium minerals and from coffinite to brannerite or to uranium their properties are also significantly vari- oxides and titanates of the anatase-, ilmenite- able. The author described 11 ore types in and titanomagnetite-type. PbO content in Russia and neighbor countries (Chernikov et most these segregations is below 0.0n% indi- al., 1997; Chernikov, 1996, 1998, 2006/2007). cating their young geological age and forma- Among these types, there is no bornite and tion from meteoric water infiltrated from sur- NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 107

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the uranium ore composition: scientific and practical importance 107

Fig. 6. Oxygen isotopic composition (upper curves) and intensi- ty of mineral formation in oxidized uranium ore (lower curve) during 500 ky. Solid line was derived by Emiliani (1978); dot curve, by Kowi (1984), and lower curve, by Chernikov (1981, 1982).

Fig. 7. Crystals of coffinite (dark), Strel’tsovsk deposit, Southeastern Transbaikalia. ×2000. Photo by V.T. Dubinchuk.

face to the deep level of the deposit. The con- of 1–2·104 g/l and North of known Yamkun clusion of meteoric origin of mineralizing flu- radon spring. Further north, in the Eastern ids is consistent with the previous results Transbaikalia, the Olovskii deposit with strat- (Andreeva et al., 1996, 1998; Chernikov et al., iform and polygenic ore is poor-explored. In 2008, 20092). Community of the formation of the first place, ores in the granite of basement minerals and living being in vertical section should be estimated both along veins and at near-surface level of the Earth is basic fea- zones, and to the depth. (2) Akitkan district, ture. North Baikal Region (Golubev et al., 2008; Tolkachev, 2008; Bavlov and Mashkovtsev, Conclusions 2009; Shashorin, 2009) and Chara-Olyokma block completely correspond to these condi- The significant effect of near-surface and tions. (3) West Siberian Plate, where combi- deep-seated supergene processes upon min- nation of deep transformation of clay rocks eralization at the Strel’tsovsk deposit and enriched in uranium and discharge of ore- some other districts appreciably changes forming gley stratal water of oil-and-gas prospecting and exploration guides, which basins allow probable large uranium-multi- were previously reported by Chernikov et al. metall deposit in the Chulim-Enisei depres-

(20091) for the main types of uranium de - sion, infiltration deposit related to Altai- posits. Several districts fully corresponded to Sayan and Enisei Ridge, and different type these criteria may be proposed. (1) North of deposits within the West Siberian Plate the Strel’tsovsk structure: (a) sediments of (Vorob’ev et al., 2008; Domarenko et al., the Eastern Urulyungui depression; (b) along 2008). At the southwestern margin of the the Urulyungui faults and in the basement West Siberian Plate (frequently reported as structures; (c) in the rocks of basement of the Ural region) infiltration uranium deposits, northern side of the Eastern Urulyungui whose ore is located in sediments of paleoval- depression, first of all, along NNE-trending leys cut rocks of basement are known (Kon - faults from Kislyi spring with U grade in water drat’eva and Nesterova, 1997; Khalezov, NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 108

108 New Data on Minerals. 2010. Vol. 45

2000). Northeastern margin of the plate and ver, more frequently, uranium grade ranges regions related to the Altai-Sayan and Enisei from 0.01 to 0.03% and reserves of uranium Ridges are promised for this ore type. Finding reaches are medium to large with significant of sufficiently long stratal oxidation zones or concentration of the other elements. For paleovalleys cut rocks of basement is impor- examp le, in certain zones of the Belaya Zima tant for these regions. and Srednya Zima deposits, the demonstrated In addition to the complex U-V ore and inferred reserves of betafite ore are 10 kt

(Chernikov, 1997, 2001; Chernikov et al., of Ta2O5 and U3O8 with approximately identi-

2000, 2005, 2007, 20091), rare metal ore, espe- cal grade in the ore, 0.012–0.028%. In the cially carbonatite deposits taking into weathering profile of the Belaya Zima account complex nature of their ores (eco- deposits, the demonstrated and inferred

nomic grade of U, Nb, P, and Zr) should be reserves are 1 mt Nb2O5 with grade of 0.5%,

industrially used. Uranium as by-product pro- about 40 kt Ta2O5 and approximately identi-

duces from the Palabora apatite-bearing car- cal U3O8 (with 0.014% of these oxides in ores);

bonatite, South Africa (The geology…, 1976; 3mt REE with 1.8% REE2O3, and 15 mt P2O5 Laverov et al., 1983) along with gold, silver, with grade of 13.6% in ores (Belov et al., and PGE. Large copper deposit containing 2008). There are other examples illustrating 0.001–0.001% U was found in this carbon- the presence of complex betafite ore with

atite. Copper ore occurred as stock-shaped grade of 0.01–0.05% U3O8 forming great ura- body of 1.4×0.8 km in area in the centre of car- nium reserves. Therefore, the exploitation of bonatite pluton is followed downward more large carbonatite deposits in Russia is very than 1000 m. Chalcopyrite, bornite, cubanite, promised taking into account imported niobi- chalcosite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, millerite, um and tantalum and deficiency of phospho- bravoite, linneite, apatite, magnetite, titano- rous and uranium in our country. magnetite, U-bearing thorite, baddeleyite In the nearest future, complex sulfide U-P and vermiculite were identified in this ore. deposits with rare metals from deposits in Uranium-richer carbonatite ore was explored Kalmykia (Stolyarov and Ivleva, 2008; Shar - at the Newman deposit, Manitou Islands, kov, 2008) and similar ore objects in other Nipissing Lake, Ontario Province, Canada. regions will be exploited. Betafite (uranpyrochlore), uranium tanta- Thus, the great diversity of uranium and loniobate of the pyrochlore-microlite group, U-bearing mineral species and their assem- is the major mineral of this ore. Its composi- bleges allows determination of: (1) physico-

tion (Ca, Na,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6(O,OH,F) dif- chemical parameters of formation of mineral fers from pyrochlore and microlite in higher segregations based on certain changes; (2)

U (up to 30% U3O8 with Nb2O5 ranging from age of mineral species; (3) formation type of 25 to 45%) and approximately identical con- uranium ore; (4) intensity of supergene leach-

tent of Ta2O5. In addition, few percents of Th ing or enrichment in uranium of certain levels and from 0.0n to few percents of REE also of endogenic occurrences and deposits. In introduce in this mineral. Such complex ore this case, increasing deficiency of energy frequently contains P, economic U, Ta, or Nb. resources (Laverov, 2009) can be compensat- For example, 5431 t of such ore with ~0.53% ed in the nearest future by exploitation of rich

Nb2O5 and ~0.039% U3O8 were identified at ores including newly discovered ores and the Newman deposit before 1955 (Rowe, poor complex and uranyl-bearing ores. Re - 1954; Gill and Owens, 1956; Heinrich, 1958). serves of such ores can be large and super- Further exploration of uraniferous complex large with decreasing cut-off grade of urani- carbonatite deposits for uranium ore was ter- um to 0.005% and lower. We have no alterna- minated because of discovery in this region tive so far. rich uranium deposits. Nevertheless, as a result of exploration only for complex Ta-Nb References ore, about 50 uraniferous carbonatite depo - sits with one third in Russia were identified. Andreeva O.V., Aleshin A.P., Golovin V.A. Some complex carbonatite deposits contain Vertical zonality of wall rock alteration at the Antei-Strel’tsovsk uranium deposits, 0.05%, occasionally up to 0.12% U3O8. Howe - NDM45_en_collect_110110:_ 10.01.2005 12:33 Page 109

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the uranium ore composition: scientific and practical importance 109

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