Phanerozoic sandstone type of uranium mineralization in the Motur Formation of Satpura Basin along Kachhar-Dharangmau-Khapa tract, Betul district, M.P

Phanerozoic sandstone type of uranium mineralization is being reported in the Motur Formation of Lower Gondwana Group of Satpura Basin along Kachhar-Dharangmau-Khapa tract, Betul district, M.P. Uranium mineralization occurs in texturally and compositionally immature arkose, which contains lithic fragments along with monocrystalline quartz, polycrystalline quartz and fragments of volcaniclastic materials, indicating multiple provenance for sediments and rapid deposition with less transport. The arkose exposed closer to the surface is oxidized and records dominantly thoriferous radioactivity, whereas those between oxidized zone and redox front are yellowish reddish colored and shows the mixed U+Th anomalies. The arkose of redox front and below it is yellow and grey colored respectively. The arenite of redox front and below it are uraniferous with development of secondary uranium minerals like tyuyamunite, metatyuyamunite, minute traces of metastudtite and uranyl hydroxide at redox front and pitchblende and coffinite below the redox front in reduced zone, where it is associated with disseminated carbonaceous matter, which accounts for the reducing environment for the precipitation of uranium minerals. Geochemical evidences suggest the oxidation and leaching of uranium (in U+6), vanadium (in V+4) and selenium (Se) from the zone of oxidation and their concomitant precipitation at the redox front and in reduced zone.