Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Kh. Khoshnoodi
• S. Ziapour

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 11365-8486, Tehran - Iran

Abstract

Khoshoumi Anomaly 6 is a significant uranium deposit located in the Bafq-Saghand metallogenic belt within the Central Iran zone. The gneiss serves as the primary host for uranium mineralization in block 1 of Khoshoumi Anomaly 6. Field emission electron microscopy studies have identified two stages of uranium mineralization within the area: primary mineralization (hypogene) and uranyl silicate (supergene). Primary uranium minerals found in the hypogene zone include uraninite, with minor amounts of thorouraninite, brannerite, and uranothorite. Uranyl silicate mineralization is observed along fractures in the form of boltwoodite and soddyite. Over time, boltwoodite undergoes alteration into sodium-boltwoodite and uranophane. Field evidence and mineralogical studies suggest that meteoric fluids, with a neutral to alkaline pH and low temperature, played a role in leaching uranium, silicon, potassium, sodium, and calcium from the gneiss. These elements were then deposited along fractures as uranyl silicate minerals, accompanied by calcite, clay, and chlorite. The presence of calcite alongside uranyl silicates indicates the transport of uranium in the form of uranyl carbonate complexes within the fluid.

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Keywords

• Uranium
• Uranyl silicate
• Khoshoumi
• Bafq-Saghand