Innovative Research on Geochemistry of

Granites/volcanic Related Uranium

Deposits in East China

Prof. Xiaodong Liu

East China University of Technology

Aug. 24, 2015

T1-TM-50200: IAEA Workshop, Nanchang, China, Aug..24-28,

2015

1. Introduction to Uranium Resources in China

2. Classification of Uranium Deposits in China

3. Geochemistry of Granite/volcanic-related U

Deposits in East China

Mesozoic – Cenozoic epoch is the most

important mineralization age in China.

In space: 86% discovered ore deposits located in

East China marginal-pacific domain.

In time: most of the ore deposits formed at the

age of 180Ma to 80Ma

“ Large-scale metallogenesis age”

----- (Mao et al , 2007)

Bouguer Gravity Anomaly Map in China

Different geological

setting in east and in west

Distribution of Nonferrous

Metal Deposits in China

Au Deposits

Similar to other mineral resources in China, uranium shares the same characteristics in space & in time.

Most of the discovered U deposits located

in Marginal-Pacific domains ( east China) with

the mineralization age of Mesozoic- Cenozoic.

1. Introduction to Uranium Resources in China

1.1 Metallogenic Region Subdivisions for Uranium Deposits

4 uranium metallogenic domains:

a, Paleo-Asian b, Qin-Qi-Kun

c, Marginal-Pacific d, Tethys

11 uranium provinces

49 uranium metallogenic regions/zones

( BOG, BRIUG, ECUT et al.)

New Metallogenic Region Subdivisions

for U Deposits in China

II-5

II-6 II-7

II-8

II-9

II-10

II-11

Domain No. of

Province

Name of

province Region/ Belt

Paleo-Asian

II-1 Aertai-Zhungeer

III-1 Aertai potential belt

III-2 Zhungeer potential region

III-3 Xuemisitan potential belt

III-4 Wurunguhe potential belt

II-2 Tianshan

III-5 North Tianshan potential belt

III-6 South Tianshan belt

III-7 Yili basin region

III-8 Tuha basin region

II-3 Talimu III-9 North Talimu belt

III-10 South Talimu potenitial belt

Qin-Qi-Kun

II-4 Qinqi-Kunlun

III-11 West Kunlun potential belt

III-12 Qimantage potential belt

III-13 Talimu basin potential region

III-14 Longshoushan-Qilianshan belt

II-5 Qinling-Dabie

III-15 South Qinling belt

III-16 North Qinling belt

III-17 Jingzai belt

Marginal-Pacific

II-6 Daxinganling

III-18 Erlian basin region

III-19 Badanjilin-Bayinggebi region

III-20 Eerguna-Manzhouli potential belt

III-21 Zalantun potential belt

II-7 Jihei

III-22 Songliao basin region

III-23 Dunhua-Mishan potential belt

III-24 Yichun potential belt

Domain No. of

Province Name of province Region/ Belt

Marginal-Pacific

II-8 North China

Craton

III-25 East Liaoning belt

III-26 Xincheng-Qinglong belt

III-27 Guyuan-Hongshanzi belt

III-28 Ordos basin region

III-29 Chaoshui basin region

III-30 South Margin of North China

Craton belt

II-9 Yangzi Craton

III-31 Middle and lower reaches of

Yangtze River belt

III-32 Tianmushan belt

III-33 Xiushui-ningguo belt

III-34 Middle Hunan belt

III-35 Xuefeng-Mutianling Belt

III-36 Middle Guizhou-Northwest Hunan belt

III-37 Damingshan belt

III-38 Sichuang basin region

III-39 Kham-Dian（West Sichuan-Yunnan）Axis

potential belt （IOGC type?）

II-10 South China

III-40 Gang-Hong belt

III-41 Wuyishan belt

III-42 Taoshan-Zhuguang belt

III-43 Chengzhou-Qingzhou belt

III-44 Leming basin potential region

Tethys

II-11 Gangdisi-Sanjiang

III-45 Tengchong region

III-46 Linchang region

III-47 Duchang potential belt

III-48 Bange-Jialing potential belt

III-49 Chuoqing-Nanmulin potential belt

Total Identified resources: about 300,000t U

Inferred resources: > 2mt U

Most of uranium deposits:

small size ( several hundred tons)

low grade ( average: 0.05 – 0.1%U)

Such as Xiangshan U ore-field:

24 deposits, 35,000t± U / 0.1% U in average

Biggest single deposits: Nuheting deposit

* Uranium Resources in China:

Tabular type:

Nuheting deposit, NC

Biggest individual deposit

in China

about 30000tU/av. 0.08%

Nuheting deposit in Erlian Basin, North China

2. Classification of Uranium Deposits in China

IAEA new classification: 15 types with 36 subtypes 1）Intrusive

2）Granite-related

3）Polymetallic iron-oxide breccia complex （IOCG）

4）Volcanic-related

5）Metasomatite

6）Metamorphite

7）Proterozoic unconformity

8) Collapse-breccia pipe

9）Sandstone

10）Paleo-quartz-pebble conglomerate

11）Surficial

12）Lignite-coal

13）Carbonate

14）Phosphate

15）Black shale

On the basis of host rocks:

- Granite type 28.5%

Granite-related

- Volcanic rock type 21.2%

Volcanic-related

- Sandstone type 36%±

-Carbonaceous-siliceous- argillaceous rock type 10%±

-Other 4.4%

No significant discovery on:

7）Proterozoic unconformity

10）Paleo-quartz-pebble conglomerate

Traditional Classification for U deposits in China

Systematic Exploration for sandstone type deposits

initiated in late 1990’s, which yielded the discovery of

many big U deposits in north/northwest China.

Such as the super large U deposits in Ordos basin,

in Yili Basin (ISL mining).

Sandstone type: main exploration target currently.

The percentage of sandstone type uranium resource

will be increased in the future.

Exploration site for sandstone type U deposits in Yili basin

ISL mining site in Yili basin

0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0 140.0 160.0 180.0 200.0

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

年龄（Ma）

频数(N)

碳硅泥岩型

砂岩型

火山岩型

花岗岩型

Mineralization ages of 4 major types of uranium deposits in China

age

CSP

Sandstone

Volcanic-

Granite-

Nu

mber

3. Geochemistry of Granite/volcanic-related U Deposits in East China

3.1 Distribution of Granite/volcanic – related U deposits

About 50% of the total identified U resources belongs to

granite/volcanic – related types, which plays a very

important role in the history of nuclear industry in China.

Extensive exploration have been conducted for

granite / volcanic – related type uranium deposits

over half century.

Granite – related type U deposits

--- by Fan et al. 2012

Section of

Mianhuakeng

Deposit

* Endogranitic

* Structure – control

Example 1: Mianhuakeng Deposit in North Guangdong

Example 2:

Lanhe deposit in North

Guangdong

* Endogranitic

* Structure – control

Pichblend

stockwork with

potassic alteration

Potassic alteration ore

Volcanic – related

U deposits in China

--- by Fang et al. 2012

Volcanic-related

Structure-bound

Geological diagram of Xiangshan U ore field

K1e

Example I: Xiangshan U ore-field

Section of Zoujiashan Uranium Deposit in Xiangshan

132.6-133.8Ma

3.2 Timing and characters of major tectonic- magmatic stages in East China

In Mesozoic- Cenozoic age:

7 major volcanic-intrusion belts could be

identified in East China with different

geological – tectonic setting.

(1) Daxinganling belt

(Paleo-platform )

Streltsovka U ore-field and Dornot U ore-field

Erguna U occurrence

(2) Xiaoxinganling-Zhangguangcailing belt

(fold basement of Hercynian )

Hongshanzhi U-Mo deposit

(3) Jibei-Liaoxi belt

(north margin of North China platform )

Guyuan U-Mo deposit

From North to South in space:

(4) NNE Middle and lower Yangtze river volcanic belt

(Yangtze platform)

U occurrences

(5) Zhuguang-Taoshan belt

( Hercynian to Indo-Chinese epoch depression)

Zhuguang U ore-field, Taoshan U ore-filed

(6) Wuyi-Yunkai belt (Ganhang volcanic belt)

(transition zone between Yangtze platform and

Cathaysia block )

Xiangshan U ore-field, Shenyuan U ore-field

(7) Southeast coastline belt

no discovered U deposit

On the basis of the current studies on U-Pb dating of host rocks,

8 tectonic- magmatic stages can be classified in east China:

（1）Early Indo-Chinese epoch （250~230 Ma）

（2）Late Indo-Chinese epoch（228~205 Ma）

（3）Stage I of early Yanshanian epoch（205~170 Ma）

（4）Stage II of of early Yanshanian epoch（165~150 Ma）

（5）Stage III of early Yanshanian epoch（145~130 Ma）

（6）Stage I of late Yanshanian epoch（126~110 Ma）

（7）Stage II of late Yanshanian epoch（110~100 Ma）

（8）Stage III of late Yanshanian epoch（100~80 Ma）

Close links from (3) to (7) stages to U minrealization in East China

Major Tectonic- magmatic stages in Mesozoic- Cenozoic age:

(3)Stage 1 of early Yanshanian epoch（205－170Ma):

Near SN extension within the continental blocks and

the forming of depression basins.

Dominated by bimodal volcanic rock assemblages

such as in Longnan basin and Changpu Basin with the

ages of 195-191 Ma in South Jiangxi province (C.Y, Ji,

J.H, Wu et al.2010）。

The Baimianshi uranium deposit (160.4±0.5 Ma) in

South Jiangxi province might related to the bimodal

volcanic rocks.

(4 ) Stage 2 of early Yanshanian epoch （165-150 Ma）

The forming of large scale S type granites:

the most important favorable rocks for granite

type uranium deposits in South China.

( 6) - (7) : From Stage III of early Yanshanian epoch to

Stage II of late Yanshanian epoch （145－100Ma）

The extension events: by the eruption of

rhyolite and trachyle with the ages of 142－130Ma in East China.

Distribution and timing for volcanic-intrusive rocks

in Mesozoic – Cenozoic in east China

① Red: intrusive rocks；②Blue: volcanic rocks；③ White: gaps between magmatic events

3.3 Geochemistry of host rocks

3.3.1 Granite – related U deposits

Most of the granite – related U deposits has the close

relations to Indo-Chinese epoch S type granites and to be

hosted in those granites.

Such as: Xiazhuang U ore-field, Zhuguang U ore-field.

Even those deposits hosted in Yanshanian epoch granites

still with the Indo-Chinese epoch granite distributed in the

same places.

* U-Pb ages of granite by zircon SHRIMP U-Pb method

Example:

Maofeng granite in

Xiazhuang U ore flied

2015/10/29

Maofeng granite: 237.0±4.5Ma

(Lin et al.2012)

Lithogeochemical characters of granites

(Lin et al.2012)

U bearing

Non U Transition U bearing Non U

(Lin et al.2012)

Lithogeochemical characters of granites

Uranium bearing

granites:

ACNK >1.1

(Lin et al.2012)

Most of the volcanic-related uranium deposits in

east China are associated with the high K calc-alkaline

rhyolite and alkali trachyle (or shoshonite ) assemblage

of early Cretaceous.

Such as: Guyuan-Hongshanzi uranium belt

Ganhang uranium belt ( Xiangshan U ore-field)

3.3.2 Volcanic – related U deposits

Various volcanic basins in east China:

＊ Volcanic host rocks in Guyuan-Hongshanzi uranium belt

Alkaline rhyolite and

trachyle assemblage

＊ Volcanic host rocks in Guyuan-Hongshanzi uranium belt

Characterized by

low Strontium(Sr)

rhyolites

＊ Volcanic host rocks in Guyuan-Hongshanzi uranium belt

Rare earth elemants

distribution curve

of rhyolites In

Hongshanzi U

deposit.

Rich in LREE

&

Significant

negative Eu

3.4 The relations of lithospheric mantle type to regional

uranium mineralization

Different volcanic-intrusive belts in East China

with the different lithospheric mantle type in Mesozoic

epoch due to the various geological setting.

Such as：

The Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic characters of basalt in

Wuyi-Yunkai belt (Ganhang volcanic belt)

indicated the EM II type lithospheric mantale in

Mesozoic epoch, but EM I type in middle and lower

Yangtze river volcanic belt.

(Strontium/Lead)

( Neodymium/ Strontium)

Factor: Most of the discovered volcanic related

uranium deposits located in Wuyi-Yunkai

belt (Ganhang volcanic belt) with the EM II

lithospheric mantle in Mesozoic epoch.

EM II lithospheric mantle: one of the

important pre-conditions for regional

uranium enrichment in east China.

* discovered in 1958

* Over 1 million meters drilling projects before 1993

* Discovered 24 deposits with 1 large size and 2

middle size with the total resources of 29,000t U

* 153,000 meter drilling projects from 2004 to 2010,

with about 5,000t U resources added

* Example: Xiangshan U ore-field

Stage 2 of late Yanshanian

epoch（115－100Ma）

SN regional compression

resulted NE and NW

conjugate shear fractures

NE and NW fractures

represented early than K2

(100Ma)

* Example: Xiangshan U ore-field

Main ore controlling factors: structure bound

Ore controlling factors ---- SN fractures

Stage 2 of late

Yanshanian epoch

（115－100Ma）

SN regional compression

resulted NE and NW

conjugate shear fracture

and near SN extension

fractures which is the major

controlling factor of ore

Bodies in Xiangshan

------ Jurongan deposit

Volcanic rocks：

57.2%

Sub-volcanic rocks：

27.3%

Metamorphic rocks：

12.3%

Sedimentary rocks：

3.2%

Profile No71A in Gangshangying deposit

Ore Controlling

Factors ---

Host Rocks

U ores in

Various rocks

K1e

Favorable locations

for U ores

– boundary controlling

Isotopic ages of volcanic rocks and granites in Xiangshan by

zircon SHRIMP U-Pb method

No.

sample

Lithology

Sampling

place

Age

XG44-1 Porphyroclasitic lava Shimashan 132.6Ma±

XG41-1 Granite porphyry

Ganshangyin

ZK19-2

131.2Ma±

X07-5 Porphyritic granite Baquan 131.9Ma±

X07-11 Porphyritic granite Wuzhang 133.5Ma±

X07-19-4 Porphyroclasitic lava Nanpi 133.8Ma±

X09-1 Rhyolite-dacite porphyry Ruyiting 142.1Ma±

Porphyroclasitic lava (J3e4) K1 （ICS，2009）

Ages of Host Rocks in Xiangshan ore field

Two major stage mineralization

Early Mineralization in deep:

alkaline alteration

(115Ma± )

Late Mineralization near

Surface: acid alteration

(97Ma± )

Brannerite

rich in Ti and Th

Uranium Mineralization:

General characters for two stage mineralization

Early stage late stage

Mineral association: pichblende pichblende

brannerite fluorite + hydromica

hematite

Elements: U-Th-Ti-P-Mo U，U-Th

Alteration: potassic alteration silicification

Mineralization age: 115± 0.5Ma 97Ma±

Control factor: contact zone of structure-bound

different volcanic in volcanic rocks

sequences + structure

In west portion of Xiangshan, U and Cu\Pb\Zn

mineralization have been discovered in deep level:

ZK64—15 875.15~889.05m，

13.90m/0.9%U

ZK68A—12 853.35~864.65m，

11.30m/0.56%U

ZK60A—8 888.05~894.65m

6.60m/0.7%U

New exploration & discovery

-290m -290m

-410m -410m

-530m

390m

U, Cu, Pb,Zn

in deep level

High Th

No. 64 profile of Gulongan deposit

K1e4

K1e4

U ores in dacite

U ores in Porphyroclasitic lava

Heyuanbei

Jurongan

Baiyun

Penggu

shan

Yangguang

New Exploration areas

in West Xiangshan

Current studies on 3D modelling

Modeling of fractures

Modeling of geological boundary

3D modeling of geological bodies

Thank you