World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) with Uranium Deposit Classification
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IAEA-TECDOC-1629 World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) with Uranium Deposit Classification 2009 Edition IAEA-TECDOC-1629 World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) with Uranium Deposit Classification 2009 Edition The originating Section of this publication in the IAEA was: Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials Section International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre P.O. Box 100 1400 Vienna, Austria WORLD DISTRIBUTION OF URANIUM DEPOSITS (UDEPO) WITH URANIUM DEPOSIT CLASSIFICATION IAEA, VIENNA, 2009 IAEA-TECDOC-1629 ISBN 978–92–0–110509–7 ISSN 1011-4289 © IAEA, 2009 Printed by the IAEA in Austria October 2009 FOREWORD Having comprehensive information on the worldwide uranium deposits is crucial for implementation of significant nuclear power programmes in the world, especially with the increasing interest in nuclear power and concerns about the supply of energy resources. Starting from the early years of the development of nuclear energy for peaceful uses, the International Atomic Energy Agency has published numerous reports on different types of uranium deposits, their geological characteristics and geographical distribution. With the increased amount of information available on uranium deposits throughout the world, the IAEA was able to establish an electronic database and publish it in the form of an Atlas in 1995. The atlas later was supported with a World Guidebook to Accompany IAEA Map: World Distribution of Uranium Deposits, in the form of a databook in 1996. The name of the database was World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO). The UDEPO database was revised and expanded in 2004 to store to provide more detailed information on uranium geology and technical characteristics of the deposits. The revised database has been published on the internet since 2004. The database and its web site are being updated continuously. This report and its attached CD-ROM contain information on 878 uranium deposits worldwide and reflect a snapshot of the database as of end of 2008. The database itself is being updated continuously. The reader can access the most up to date information at www- nfcis.iaea.org. The IAEA wishes to thank the consultants who took part in the preparation of the UDEPO database. The IAEA is also grateful to the Member States and individual organizations for their generous support in providing experts and data to make this database more complete. The IAEA officer responsible for this publication was M. Ceyhan of the Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle. EDITORIAL NOTE The use of particular designations of countries or territories does not imply any judgement by the publisher, the IAEA, as to the legal status of such countries or territories, of their authorities and institutions or of the delimitation of their boundaries. The mention of names of specific companies or products (whether or not indicated as registered) does not imply any intention to infringe proprietary rights, nor should it be construed as an endorsement or recommendation on the part of the IAEA. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Background......................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Purpose and Scope of UDEPO ........................................................................... 1 1.3. Definitions .......................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1. Resource categories ................................................................................ 4 1.3.2. Deposit types: ......................................................................................... 4 1.3.3. Deposit status.......................................................................................... 8 1.4. UDEPO database structure ................................................................................. 9 1.4.1. Data included.......................................................................................... 9 1.5. Overview of uranium resources, production and demand................................ 11 2. URANIUM DEPOSIT TYPES....................................................................................... 15 2.1. Unconformity related deposits.......................................................................... 15 2.1.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 15 2.1.2. Geologic setting of Jabiluka, Australia and Cigar Lake, Canada ......... 16 2.1.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis......................................................... 19 2.1.4. Uranium resources and production in unconformity related deposits ................................................................................................. 20 2.2. Sandstone deposits............................................................................................ 21 2.2.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 21 2.2.2. Roll front type deposits......................................................................... 22 2.2.3. Tectonic-lithologic type deposits.......................................................... 25 2.2.4. Basal channel type deposits .................................................................. 28 2.2.5. Tabular sandstone type deposits ........................................................... 30 2.3. Hematite Breccia Complex deposits................................................................. 33 2.3.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 33 2.3.2. Geologic setting of Olympic Dam Deposit, Australia.......................... 33 2.3.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis of Olympic Dam Deposit, Australia................................................................................................ 35 2.3.4. Uranium resources and production in Olympic Dam deposit............... 37 2.4. Quartz-pebble conglomerate deposits .............................................................. 37 2.4.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 37 2.4.2. Geologic setting of Witwatersrand district, South Africa..................... 38 2.4.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis of Witwatersrand district, South Africa.......................................................................................... 38 2.4.4. Uranium resources and production in Witwatersrand basin................. 39 2.5. Vein type (granite related U deposits).............................................................. 39 2.5.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 39 2.5.2. Geologic setting of Margnac, France and Jáchymov, Czech Republic deposits....................................................................... 40 2.5.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis of Margnac, France and Jáchymov, Czech Republic deposits.............................................. 41 2.5.4. Uranium resources and production in Margnac, France and Jáchymov, Czech Republic deposits.............................................. 42 2.6. Intrusive deposits.............................................................................................. 43 2.6.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 43 2.6.2. Geological setting of Rössing deposit, Namibia................................... 44 2.6.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis of Rössing deposit, Namibia .......... 45 2.6.4. Uranium resources and production in Rössing deposit, Namibia......... 45 2.7. Caldera related volcanic deposits ..................................................................... 45 2.7.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 45 2.7.2. Geologic setting of Streltsovskoe deposit, Russian Federation............ 46 2.7.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis of Streltsovskoe deposit, Russian Federation................................................................................ 49 2.7.4. Uranium resources and production in Streltsovskoe deposit, Russian Federation................................................................................ 47 2.8. Metasomatic deposits....................................................................................... 47 2.8.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 47 2.8.2. Uranium deposits in albitites ................................................................ 48 2.8.3. Uranium deposits in potassium metasomatites (elkonites)................... 49 2.9. Surficial deposits.............................................................................................. 53 2.9.1. Definition.............................................................................................. 53 2.9.2. Geologic setting of Yeelirrie deposit, Australia ................................... 54 2.9.3. Ore geometry and metallogenesis of Yeelirrie deposit, Australia ........ 54 2.9.4. Uranium resources and production in Yeelirrie deposit, Australia ...... 56 2.10. Collapse breccia pipe deposits.......................................................................... 56 2.10.1. Definition.............................................................................................