Calibrating the data logger…
This report is an analysis of the uranium potential of carbonatites in the US and includes suggestions for a number of genetic models for uranium in carbonatite. These models are applied to the evaluation of the Bearpaw Mountains, Montana, Powderhorn, Colorado, and Magnet Cove, Arkansas carbonatite bodies. Carbonatites comprise only a small fraction of a percent of the rock record but have received an inordinate amount of attention because of their disproportionate number of ore deposits and exotic composition. Uranium is commonly present in carbonatites in quantities greater than the crustal abundance of about 3 ppM U. As a consequence, there are numerous reports of uranium anomalies and low grade uranium mineralization in carbonatites. At present, uranium is mined as a byproduct at the Palabora, South Africa, carbonatite. Accumulated data suggest that several different genetic types of uranium mineralization in carbonatites may have exploration potential. The uraniferous dikes and fenites of the Bearpaw Mountains, Montana, contain pyrochlore having 23 to 30 percent U/sub 3/O/sub 8/. The geological setting of this carbonatite suggests that the dikes and associated fenites may represent the apices of a differentiated uraniferous carbonatite body at depth with greater uranium potential than surface indications. Local enrichments ofmore » uranium are observed at the Powderhorn, Colorado, carbonatite. However, these occurrences are sporadic and of minor importance. The Magnet Cove, Arkansas, carbonatite is considered to have no uranium potential.« less
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