Lithostratigraphic setting and structural controls of uranium mineralization in the Main, Central and East zone deposits, ARC Kiggavik Property, Thelon Basin region, Nunavut

努勒维特 Thelon 盆地地区 ARC Kiggavik 矿区主要、中部和东部矿床的岩石地层环境和铀矿化的结构控制

• 批准号: 477249-2014
• 负责人: Bethune, Kathryn
• 金额: $ 1.62万
• 依托单位: University of Regina
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=599579
• 关键词: Lithostratigraphic; setting; structural; controls; uranium

The Kiggavik deposit and exploration camp is located ~80 km west of Baker Lake, Nunavut and represents one of the first significant uranium discoveries in this remote part of the Canadian Shield. Since its discovery, work undertaken by the principal operator, AREVA Resources Canada (ARC) Inc., has identified numerous other promising uranium deposits and prospects in the Kiggavik region, with current reserves estimated as ~51,000 tonnes (133 million lbs U3O8) at an average grade of 0.46% uranium. While the general setting of these deposits has been known for some time, the more specific geological factors involved in uranium ore genesis remain uncertain. This research aims to better understand the controls and mechanisms of uranium formation, and in particular, to determine if and how various rock structures (e.g., faults, fractures) controlled the ore-forming process. This will be accomplished by student research projects at the Masters and Bachelors levels, respectively, that will investigate rocks types and structures proximal to the main deposits using a combination of sub-surface (drill-core) and surface mapping. Results from the two studies will then be integrated and synthesized with regional-scale observations to establish both the mechanisms and timing of ore-hosting structures at the larger scale. An important, related objective of this research is to develop a set of methodologies in geological analysis that can be used to detect/predict occurrences of economic concentrations of uranium. Skills and know-how in these methodologies will be developed and shared between university and industry personnel and will directly assist in future short- and long-term exploration. This will help to delineate new resources in the immediate area, which, because it is so remote, are needed to strengthen its economic viability. This will improve the likelihood that these resources will be sustainably developed in the future, which will greatly benefit the local hamlet of Baker Lake by providing high-paying jobs and economic stability.

Kiggavik矿床和勘探营地位于Nunavut的Baker Lake以西约80公里处，代表了加拿大盾牌这个偏远地区最早的铀发现之一。自从发现以来，首席运营商Areva Resources Canada（ARC）Inc.进行的工作已经确定了基格加维克地区的其他许多有前途的铀矿床和前景，目前的储量估​​计为约51,000吨（1.33亿磅U3O8），平均级别为0.46％。尽管这些沉积物的一般环境已知一段时间，但铀矿石起源中涉及的更具体的地质因素仍然不确定。这项研究旨在更好地了解铀形成的控制和机制，尤其是确定各种岩石结构（例如断层，裂缝）是否以及如何控制形成矿石的过程。这将分别通过大师和单身汉级别的学生研究项目来完成，这些项目将使用地下（钻核）和表面映射的组合研究岩石类型和结构。然后，这两项研究的结果将与区域规模的观测值进行整合并合成，以在更大范围内建立矿石托管结构的机制和时间。这项研究的一个重要的相关目标是在地质分析中开发一组方法，可用于检测/预测铀经济浓度的发生。这些方法中的技能和知识将在大学和行业人员之间发展和共享，并将直接帮助将来的短期和长期探索。这将有助于描绘附近地区的新资源，因为它是如此遥远，因此需要增强其经济可行性。这将改善这些资源将来可持续发展的可能性，这将通过提供高薪工作和经济稳定来极大地使贝克湖当地的小村庄受益。