Exploration geochemistry for deep uranium deposits

本研究将侧重于改进地球化学勘探技术，以探测加拿大阿萨巴斯卡盆地深部与不整合相关的铀矿床。在萨斯喀彻温省北部，外环和约翰森湖区两个极具前景的地区，将结合最近对深层矿床地表地球化学指标的研究所产生的新技术进行勘探。Queen's和Uravan Minerals的研究小组已经确定了树木和土壤中粘土矿物的特定元素组合和同位素组成，这些土壤来自450米深处与不整合相关的铀矿床。这些结果为在勘探很少的实际地区建立额外的地球化学勘探技术奠定了基础。这些新技术将包括深入表征树木年轮和C层粘土矿物，以了解这些介质中来自矿床的可移动元素的位置，并通过使用浓度与H， Li， B， C， N, Zn， Pb和u的同位素组成相结合，更好地了解元素迁移过程。根据c层土壤的树核和粘土矿物的地球化学响应，评估这两个地区最可能的隐蔽铀矿床位置，并了解这两种介质如何记录深部矿床和偏远地区人为输入的地球化学异常。对加拿大工业的好处是新的勘探工具和隐蔽矿床的策略，可以在对铀的需求不断增加的时候增加。皇后大学的研究人员和学生的好处是有可能在以前未被充分研究的领域进行研究，使用和开发涉及同位素示踪的新型分析技术，并参与现实世界的勘探计划。

This study will focus on refining geochemical exploration techniques for the detection of deep unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Canada. Techniques arising from recent studies of geochemical indicators at the surface from deep deposits will be combined with new techniques to explore in two highly prospective areas in northern Saskatchewan, the Outer Ring and Johannsen Lake areas. The groups at Queen's and Uravan Minerals have identified specific element associations and isotopic compositions in trees and clay minerals from soils that originate from unconformity-related uranium deposits at depths of 450m. These results form a base from which to build addition geochemical exploration techniques in real-world areas where exploration has been minimal. These new techniques will include in-depth characterization of tree-rings and C-horizon clay minerals to understand where in these media the mobile elements from the deposit reside and understand the process of element migration better by using concentrations coupled with isotopic compositions of H, Li, B, C, N, Zn, Pb and U. The purpose of this research is to understand the processes by which elements move in the near surface environment, to evaluate the most probable location of undercover uranium deposits in these two areas based on geochemical responses using tree-cores and clay minerals from C-horizon soils, and to understand how these two media register geochemical anomalies from deposits at depth and from anthropogenic inputs in remote areas. The benefits to Canadian industry are new exploration tools and strategies for undercover deposits that could be added at a time of increasing demand for uranium. The benefits to Queen's researchers and students are the possibility to conduct research in previously understudied areas, the use and development of novel analytical techniques involving isotope tracing, and involvement in a real-world exploration program.