Authors / CoAuthors
Schofield, A. | Skirrow, R.G.
Abstract
Uranium-rich igneous rocks are recognised as an important source of metals in uranium mineral systems. Magmatic-related uranium mineralisation may be orthomagmatic in origin, forming via favourable igneous processes, or may result from the exsolution of uranium-rich fluids from particular magmas. Additionally, it is recognised that igneous rocks also may contribute directly to basin-related uranium mineral systems as a metal source. Thus, mapping of the distribution of uranium in igneous rocks has the potential to highlight prospective regions for uranium mineralisation at a macro-scale. Geoscience Australia has produced a series of three digital maps showing the uranium content of igneous rocks across Australia, drawing together geochemical and geological datasets from disparate open file sources. Map 1 shows the uranium concentration in whole rock geochemical analyses plotted as point data on a background of igneous rock type, which itself is derived from Geoscience Australia's 1:1 000 000 national surface geology map. Map 2 integrates these datasets, and shows the average uranium content of all intersecting geochemical data point for outcropping individual igneous rock units. In Map 3, a similar approach is employed in mapping the average uranium content of igneous rocks occurring under cover, using interpreted solid geology coverages. Combined, these maps provide a comprehensive picture of the province-scale trends in igneous uranium content across the continent. Using an applied knowledge of processes leading to uranium concentration in magmatic systems, igneous rocks exhibiting a favourable combination of factors are able to be identified for further analysis of prospectivity for uranium mineral systems.
Product Type
nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
70976
Contact for the resource
Custodian
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Custodian
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Keywords
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- PowerPoint
- ( Theme )
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- prospectivity
- ( Theme )
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- geoscience
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- AU
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_External
Publication Date
2009-01-01T00:00:00
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unknown
Topic Category
geoscientificInformation
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Unknown
Parent Information
Extents
[-44.0, -9.0, 110.0, 156.0]
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Source data not available.