Analysis on sandstone type uranium deposit metallogenic potential of Bancaohe area in the west of Chaoshui basin

Through the analysis on the regional geological characteristics and uranium metallogenic conditions of Bancaohe area in the west of Chaoshui basin, it is considered that stable rather than active, moderate structural uplift is favorable for the epigenetic oxygenous water seeping into the strata to transform, migrate and enrich uranium; metamorphic rocks of source area in the northern of the basin contain uraninite, and experienced long-term uplift which provides a uranium source for the metallogeniesis. The target layer of Middle Jurassic Series Qingtujing Formation forms at fan delta depositional environment under humid climate, which produces main sand body for the uranium metallogenic space. The study area has experienced several epigenetic oxidation transformations and resulted at large-scale oxidation zone. Uranium mineralization is near the oxidation zone generally concentrated at the bottom of phreatic oxidation zone and the upper and lower part of interlayer oxidation zone. Therefore, Baneaohe area has good potential for sandstone type uranium metallogenic. (authors)