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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
Houston Geological Society Bulletin
Abstract
Abstract: Frontier Uranium Exploration in the
South Central United States
By
Department of Geology, Rice University, Houston, Texas
Selected areas of the South Central United States outside the
known uranium trends of south Texas have a largely untested
potential for the occurrence of significant uranium mineralization.
These areas, underlain by Tertiary and older sediments, include
parts of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The
commonly accepted criteria employed in uranium exploration are
applicable to these "frontier" areas but special consideration must
also be given to the atypical geologic aspects of such areas as they
may apply to relatively unique types of uranium mineralization or to
the development of special exploration criteria for common types of
roll-front and fault-related uranium mineralization.
The procedures involved in evaluating "frontier" areas should be
based on comprehensive evaluations involving: 1) location and
analysis of potential source rocks (e.g. intrusive igneous rocks,
bentonitic sediments, unique complexes, etc.); 2) definition of
regional variations in the potential host sediments (e.g. marginal
marine to nonmarine environments of deposition); 3) review of all
available radiometric data in Tertiary or associated rocks; 4) local
ground-water sampling (using a specific suite of major and minor
elements selected on the basis of the regional ground-water
geochemistry; 5) widely-spaced reconnaissance (or stratigraphic)
drilling, coring and borehole geophysical logging to define favorable
sedimentary facies and to establish the specific lithologic character
of the sediments; and 6) detailed petrographic evaluation of all
available samples to define the environment of deposition and
diagenetic history of "favorable" sediments.
If two or more of the above procedures produce favorable
results, suggesting that conditions for the formation of uranium
mineralization are present in the area under consideration, an
extensive drilling program is justified. Drilling should test the target
formations evaluated during the initial exploration stage. Depths up
to 3000 feet should be anticipated if updip information is favorable.
Selected areas are discussed that have: 1) favorable source and host
rocks; 2) favorable age; 3) favorable regional and local structure; and
4) radiometric characteristics favorable for uranium mineralization
of potentially economic grade and reserves in the areas. End_of_Record - Last_Page 4---------------