Uranium Minerals In Granite

In this study the long term mobility of natural uranium in the kaeri underground research tunnel kurt site was investigated using sequential chemical extraction and isotopic analyses of natural uranium in granite.

Uranium minerals in granite.

It was found that uranium vi would be leached out due to preferential leaching of 234u relative 238u and concentrated by an uraniferous enrichment process through long term. There may be found cubic crystals of uraninite black crusts of pitchblende and plates of uranium phosphate minerals such as torbernite cu uo2 po4 2 8 12h2o. Uranium also does not usually form very insoluble mineral species which is a further factor in the wide variety of geological conditions and places in which uranium mineralization may accumulate. Uranophane zippeite and becquerelite are the most abundant uranium minerals.

This huge pool of magma cooled crystallised and formed a body of granite. It is surprisingly easy. This magma body was laced with some very interesting minerals including copper phosphate and uranium. Uranium is an incompatible element within magmas and as such it tends to become accumulated within highly fractionated and evolved granite melts particularly alkaline examples.

Redistribution by circulating meteoric waters might have taken place. Good specimens of uranium minerals are found in the final stage of granite solidification the veins of large crystals and unusual minerals called pegmatites. The origin of these secondary minerals is mainly related to alteration of primary minerals by the action of oxidizing fluids mobilization of uranium and then redeposition in other forms. In 100 tons of average granite there are 14 ounces of uranium and about two pounds of thorium.