Basinal fluid flow systems and their relationships with mineralization

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Many mineral deposits, including the most important uranium and lead-zinc deposits in the world were formed from fluids derived from sedimentary basins (basinal fluids). The formation of these mineral deposits requires that large amounts of fluids carrying metals flowed through the sites of mineralization, in conjunction with favorable conditions to precipitate metals from the fluids within localized areas. The recognition of such fluid flow systems and an understanding of their controlling mechanisms are important in predicting favorable geologic locations to find new mineral resources. Unlike some geologic fluid flow systems such as those associated with magmatic intrusions, where fluid flow paths are marked by prominent alteration features and the driving forces of fluid flow are fairly well understood, fluid flow systems associated with mineralization in sedimentary basins may be cryptic in terms of hydrothermal alterations and the driving forces are typically more difficult to determine. The long-term objectives of my research program are to increase our ability to recognize such fluid flow systems, to determine the mechanisms that control them, and to help predict potential mineralization locations. The short-term objectives are to decipher the fluid flow systems associated with uranium mineralization in sedimentary basins, with emphasis on the Athabasca basin in northern Saskatchewan, which hosts the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world. Uranium is an important energy source, and uranium mining plays an important role in Saskatchewan's economy. My research will help exploration companies to find more uranium resources in Canada and elsewhere in the world.