An evaluation system for uranium potential in continental basins dominated by recognizing favourable sand body

By commenting evaluation criteria for uranium potential made by previous researchers, this paper introduces a new evaluation system for uranium potential in continental basins dominated by recognizing favorable sand body. The system is mostly based on recognizing favorable sand body, analyzing the genesis of favourable sand body, further determining the depositional system where the favourable sand body is accumulated, and finally on discussing development features of depositional system in different type basins and at different evolution stages, and the most favorable periods (i.e. expected target horizons) for the occurrence of favourable sand bodies in different type basins are identified. Thus, a new evaluation system for uranium potential in continental basins has been developed. Moreover, the effect of tectonic movement to the ore-formation of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits is discussed as well. (author)