Uranium in alkaline complexes

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This application is for support of collaborative research for a duration of three years between Queen's University and Cameco Corp. to investigate the processes that lead to the formation of uranium deposits associated with peralkaline rocks and the viability of newly developed exploration tools to estimate the potential of alkaline complexes to host uranium mineralization. The test-cases to be studied in detail will be six peralkaline complexes in the USA and Canada, with 50 more complexes to be evaluated for their potential to host uranium mineralization once the exploration criteria have been developed using the test-cases. Samples will be collected from the alkaline complexes and their surrounding rocks to investigate processes such as initial composition, differentiation and contamination that may lead to the formation of igneous-related uranium deposits. Chemical compositions of the rocks, crystal chemistry of the minerals, timing of the mineralization and alteration events will be examined to identify possible vectors to uranium mineralization in alkaline complexes. The ultimate goal is to develop a model for an effective "trapping" mechanism for U associated with igneous rocks, peralkaline in particular, therefore benefitting industry. This research will involve one PhD student, one Post-Doctoral Fellow and two faculty members at Queen's University, along with staff geologists at Cameco Corp. The knowledge generated will be disseminated by written and oral communications with Cameco Corp. and through publications in the scientific literature.