3D lithogeochemical footprint of the Millennium-McArthur river unconformity-type uranium deposits, Saskatchewan, Canada

Guffey, Shannon Dee (2017) 3D lithogeochemical footprint of the Millennium-McArthur river unconformity-type uranium deposits, Saskatchewan, Canada. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The Millennium and McArthur River unconformity-related uranium deposits in the southeastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, are overlain by hydrothermally altered sandstones of the Manitou Falls Formation. The distal lithogeochemical footprints in these sandstones, from unconformity to subcrop, are useful for vectoring toward mineralization using simple major and trace element analyses. Large first order alteration envelopes are defined by molar element ratios K/Al vs. Mg/Al, which surround smaller, second order trace element haloes. At Millennium, median Mg/K molar ratios >0.2 define a 10-km alteration envelope. Values increase significantly within 2 km of the deposit, coinciding with Mo, Ga, and REE enrichment 100s of metres vertically above the deposit. At McArthur River, K/Al <0.06 and Mg/Al <0.4 (molar), and elevated Ba, Sr, Ga, and Cs, exhibit haloes 4–8 km along strike of the P2 trend, 100s of metres above the McArthur River deposit.

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