Application of radiation-induced defects in quartz and calcite for uranium exploration at the ACKIO discovery, northern Saskatchewan

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The Paleoproterozoic Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan hosts the world's highest-grade uranium deposits and is an excellent natural laboratory for studying radiation-induced defects in quartz and other minerals. The applicant, as the principal investigator of three previous NSERC-industry co-sponsored research projects, demonstrated that a series of silicon-vacancy hole centers in quartz formed from bombardment of alpha particles emitted from radioactive decays of uranium and thorium and that they are excellent tracers for defining uranium-bearing fluid pathways, useful for the exploration of new uranium deposits. This application follows on these previous studies and forms a new collaborative research partnership between the University of Saskatchewan and the Baselode Energy Corp to further develop radiation-induced defects in quartz as well as those in carbonate minerals such as calcite as a tool for the exploration of uranium deposits. The proposed research focuses on electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic study of quartz and calcite from the Baselode's ACKIO discovery with three specific objectives: 1) document radiation-induced defects in quartz to trace uranium-bearing fluid pathways at ACKIO, 2) characterize two engimatic radiation-induced defects in quartz by single-crystal EPR spectroscopy and other advanced EPR techniques, and 3) investigate the use of radiation-induced defects in calcite for assessing mixing of basinal and basement-derived fluids at ACKIO. These data will be integrated with those from the industrial partner's exploration program to help finding new uranium deposits. This project provides excellent training opportunities for one undergraduate graduate student and two MSc graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan. Exploration and subsequent mining activity will spark economic activity in this isolated part of northern Saskatchewan, and lead to much needed job opportunities for northern communities, especially indigenous communities. In addition, development of new uranium deposits benefits all Canadians and provides job opportunities to Indigenous Peoples in northern Saskatchewan, through mining and related services.