Uranium systems processes in the Crocker Well Suite, South Australia  

Authors / CoAuthors

Schofield, A.

Abstract

Magmatic-related uranium systems represent an uncommon, yet significant family of uranium mineral systems. Despite the extremely large size of some magmatic-related uranium deposits, the key processes controlling uranium deposition are poorly understood compared to other more common uranium deposit styles. Petrographic, geochemical and fluid inclusion studies have been undertaken at the Crocker Well granite-hosted uranium deposit in South Australia in order to better constrain the key processes in uranium mineralisation there. The results of this study allow a genetic model for the Crocker Well deposit to be proposed. Uranium mineralisation is interpreted to be associated with the intrusion of a volatile and sodium-rich pulse of magma, or with the localised release of a highly sodic fluid from the main granitic rocks in the area. Volatile saturation and fluid exsolution partitioned uranium and thorium into a magmatic-hydrothermal fluid phase, and initiated the creation of fractures, veins and breccia zones. These acted as fluid flow pathways for the magmatic fluid. Uranium deposition likely occurred as a result of temperature or pressure decrease. This genetic model has been translated into a number of mappable criteria which may be used in prospectivity studies for magmatic-related uranium systems. The presence of evidence suggesting the potential to generate a uranium-bearing magmatic fluid, evidence of permeable structures contemporary with igneous activity, and evidence of favourable host rocks are suggested as useful criteria.

Product Type

document

eCat Id

72058

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Keywords

• GA PublicationRecord

( Theme )

• depositional mechanisms

( Theme )

• geochemistry

( Theme )

• metallogenesis

• AU-SA

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

• Earth Sciences

• Published_External

Publication Date

2012-01-01T00:00:00

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Australian Government Security ClassificationSystem    

Classification - unclassified

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

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Purpose

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unknown

Topic Category

geoscientificInformation

Series Information

Record 2011/045

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Unknown

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