Uranium Systems Project: new results from Geoscience Australia  


Authors / CoAuthors

Skirrow, R.G. | Barnicoat, A.C. | Cooper, M. | Huston, D.L. | Jaireth, S. | Schofield, A. | van der Wielen, S.E.

Abstract

The Uranium Systems Project is a key part of the $59m Onshore Energy Security Program (OESP) underway at Geoscience Australia (2006-2011). The project has three objectives: (1) develop new understandings of processes and factors that control where and how uranium mineralisation formed, (2) map the distribution of known uranium enrichments and related rocks in Australia, and (3) assess the potential for undiscovered uranium deposits at regional to national scales. Objective (1) has been addressed initially by reviewing current classification schemes for uranium deposits. Most schemes emphasise differences in host rock type and list 15 or more deposit types. An alternative scheme is proposed that links the apparently separate deposit types in a continuum of possible deposit styles. Three end-member uranium mineral systems are: magmatic-, basin-, and metamorphic/metasomatic-related. Most recognised deposit styles can be considered as variants or hybrids of these three end-members. For example, sandstone hosted, unconformity-related and "Westmoreland" style deposits are viewed as members of basin-related uranium systems and which share a number of ore-forming processes. Identification of the spatial controls on uranium mineralisation is being investigated using numerical modelling, with the Frome Embayment of SA as a first case study. Mapping the distribution of uranium in objective (2) has commenced with the release of a new map of Australia showing the uranium contents of mainly outcropping igneous rocks, based on compilation of whole rock geochemical data. A clearer picture of uranium enrichments is also emerging through cataloguing of an additional >300 uranium occurrences in the MINLOC mineral occurrence database. Finally, the recently completed Australia-wide radiometric tie-line survey is providing a new continent-scale view of uranium, thorium and potassium distributions in surface materials. To assess potential for undiscovered uranium deposits, new OESP data in targeted regions of Australia are awaited, such as airborne EM, seismic and geochronology data.

Product Type

nonGeographicDataset

eCat Id

65689

Contact for the resource

  Custodian

MNHD  

  Point of contact

Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia)  
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia

Keywords

  • External PublicationConference Paper
( Theme )
  • economic geology
( Theme )
  • metallogenesis
( Theme )
  • mineral exploration
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
  • Earth Sciences
  • Published_Internal

Publication Date

2008-01-01T00:00:00

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Australian Government Security ClassificationSystem    

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

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unknown

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geoscientificInformation

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