With increased need for uninterrupted, long-term and sustainable supply of uranium, it has become important to look into augmenting the resource base, and making the mining and extraction more efficient and environmentally friendly. This requires a deeper understanding of the genesis of uranium and thorium deposits under various geological environments with complex mineralization processes through analysis of the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of each deposit. Such information will be helpful in guiding further exploration and optimization of extraction and production, and in effective environmental management. The proposed CRP will look into complete geochemical and mineralogical characterization of uranium and thorium deposits, including production of high precision data on major, minor and trace elements; stable and radioactive isotopes; identification of major uranium, thorium and other ore minerals; and fluid inclusion studies. The outputs are expected to enrich the IAEA databases on uranium and thorium — World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) and World Thorium Deposits and Resources (ThDEPO) — and help understand the global distribution of uranium and thorium resources in a consistent manner and thus provide valuable inputs for their sustainable development.
Geochemical assay and mineralogical study of ore samples from all major geologic types in major uranium and thorium provinces and energy basins to aid understanding of the genesis of the mineralization leading to higher success rates in exploration, optimization of production, and effective environmental management. The CRP will pay special attention on identification of all the valuable economic commodities and multi-elemental associations in uranium and thorium ore samples, which can lead to the comprehensive extraction of all critical materials along with uranium and thorium and make the operations sustainable. Stable and radioactive isotope studies will aid geo-forensic ‘fingerprinting’ of the uranium and thorium resources.
Geochemical assay, isotopic analysis and mineralogical studies of mineralised samples from major geologic types from important uranium and thorium provinces and energy basins. This will lead to better understanding of the genesis of uranium and thorium deposits and geochemical and mineralogical constraints on mineralization process.
Beneficiation studies for uranium deposits (i.e. Egypt and Argentina)
Development of analytical techniques for trace element analysis
Geochemical characterization of uranium and thorium deposits
Geochronology of select deposits
Mineralogical studies of uranium and ore minerals
Rare earth element characteristics of uranium deposits
New geochemical and mineralogical data from the research conducted under this CRP has resulted in a better understanding of the genesis of uranium and thorium mineralization, improved the evaluation of uranium and thorium resources, and in some cases will have implications for processing and production of these resources. Several collaborations were developed among countries involved in the CRP (Argentina, Canada, China, France, Madagascar, Ukraine and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela), and one country not directly involved in the CRP (the United States of America), and collaborations were also developed amongst institutions within the countries. Twenty-eight publications (including abstracts) and two manuscripts are under preparation. Eight graduate degrees (PhD and MSc) were reported in association with CRP activities.
New geochemical and mineralogical data from the research conducted under this CRP has resulted in a better understanding of the genesis of uranium and thorium mineralization, improved the evaluation of uranium and thorium resources, and in some cases will have implications for processing and production of these resources.