The role of hydrothermal alteration in uranium mineralization at the Xiaoshan uranium deposit, South China.
Saved in:
| Title: | The role of hydrothermal alteration in uranium mineralization at the Xiaoshan uranium deposit, South China. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Li, Fu-Rong1 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Yong1,2,3 (AUTHOR) zhycy2004@163.com, Dang, Fei-Peng4 (AUTHOR), Huang, Di4 (AUTHOR), Zhong, Fu-Jun1 (AUTHOR), Yan, Jie1,2 (AUTHOR), Xia, Fei1 (AUTHOR), Pan, Chun-Rong1 (AUTHOR), Pan, Jia-Yong1 (AUTHOR) jypan@ecut.edu.cn, Han, Shan-Chu1 (AUTHOR), Liu, Guo-Qi1 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Xiao-Tian1 (AUTHOR), Liu, Ying1 (AUTHOR), Wang, Kai-Xing1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Ore Geology Reviews. Nov2024, Vol. 174, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. |
| Subjects: | Rare earth metals, Hydrothermal alteration, Uranium mining, Hydrothermal deposits, Uranium enrichment, Uranium, Uranium ores |
| Abstract: | [Display omitted] • U mineralization is closely related to late-stage acidic siliceous hydrothermal activity, sericitization, and illitization. • Alkaline alteration leached U from granites, leading precipitation of apatite in mineral interstices as initial enrich of U. • Late alkaline alteration is conducive to the release of uranium from uranium-bearing accessory minerals such as apatite. Hydrothermal alteration can be utilized to constrain element migrations during mineralization, as it records the effects of fluid-rock interactions. Previous studies have suggested that uranium in deposits primarily originates from uranium-bearing granites; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the leaching mechamisms of this element and rare earth elements (REEs) from these rocks. In recent years, the Xiaoshan Deposit, a newly discovered medium-sized uranium deposit, has been discovered in the central part of the Lujing uranium ore field, South China. In this study, we examine this deposit to investigate hydrothermal alterations and their impact on elemental mass change. The deposit exhibits seven types of alteration including K-feldspar, albite, illite, sericite, muscovite, quartz and chlorite alteration. These alterations follow a certain sequence, starting from chlorite alteration, followed by widespread K-feldspar alteration, then to albite alteration, accompanied by muscovite alteration, and finally illite, sericite and quartz alteration. The main uranium mineralization stage was coeval with the late acid siliceous hydrothermal fluid, illite and sericite alteration. The pre-ore alkaline alteration (K-feldspar alteration) resulted in the leaching and extraction of uranium, leading to the precipitation of a significant amount of apatite in mineral interstices and initial uranium enrichment (ΔCi (U) = 16.52 ppm). This process facilitated material preparation for subsequent acidic alterations and localized ore enrichment. The original dense rock structure was disrupted, creating fractures/cavities that served as conduits for uranium mineralization. Moreover, under alkaline metasomatism, uranium and REEs was extensively leached out of uranium-bearing accessory minerals such as the apatite. According to apatite compositional variations and alteration geochemistry, these variations reveal the process of uranium dissolution, migration, and precipitation enrichment into ore bodies. Uranium was completely released during alkaline metasomatism, causing a sharp decline in U content from 53.1 ppm to 0.96 ppm. The formation of alkaline alteration fluids facilitates the extraction of uranium from the surrounding rocks (the Indosinian granite). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Ore Geology Reviews is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
Be the first to leave a comment!
