The sedimentology of uranium-bearing sandstones on the farm Kaffersfontein 328, Beaufort West area

The sedimentology of uranium-bearing sandstones on the farm Kaffersfontein 328 was studied by use of 23 vertical profiles measured across and adjacent to 3 mineralised deposits. The profiles consist of 18 field sections and 5 borehole logs. The vertical profiles basically consist of a succession of sedimentary facies. A total of 18 facies were recognised within the fluvial sandstone sequence according to the criteria of grain-size and sedimentary structures. Transitions between the facies were subjected to a Markov chain analysis in order to delineate Markov-dependent transitions. Uranium mineralisation coincides with areas of thicker sandstone, usually where channel over-deepening has taken place. It always occurs above the base of a channel, which often marks the base of the fluvial sandstone sequence. Irregularities in the base of the channel probably caused interruptions to the flow of uraniferous solutions and allowed sufficient time for the precipitation of the uranium. Carbonaceous debris is always associated with the mineralisation and most likely acted as an indirect reductant for the precipitation of uranium from solution. The direct reductant was most probably H2S produced by anaerobic bacteria acting on the carbonaceous debris. The mineralisation is confined to the coarser-grained sedimentary facies, which suggests that permeability was an important control on the mineralisation. These facies probably acted as suitable aquifers for the transport of uraniferous solutions. Horizontally bedded sandstone facies comprises 41 per cent of the total cumulative thickness of mineralisation. This facies represents a higher stream power and may consequently contain more carbonaceous material derived from plants, which were eroded from upstream areas. The nature of the bedding may also have provided a more effective permeability zone for the transport of uraniferous solutions prior to precipitation of the uranium