Deep-penetrating geochemistry for sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Turpan–Hami basin, north-western China

The Turpan–Hami basin, covering an area of approximately 50,000 km2 in NW China, contains concealed sandstone-type U deposits in a Jurassic sequence of sandstone, mudstone and coal beds. Sampling of soil profiles over the Shihongtan concealed U deposit in this basin shows that fine-grained soil collected from the clay-rich horizon contains U concentrations three times higher than similar soils at background areas. Selective leaching studies of these soils show that U is mainly associated with clay minerals, which comprise from 17.9% to 40% (average 30.4%) of the total mineral content. This may indicate that U is converted to uranyl ions [UO2]2+ under oxidizing conditions and is sorbed on clay minerals to accumulate in anomalous concentrations. Fine-grained soil (<120 mesh, <0.125 mm) from the clay-rich horizon, generally occurring at a depth of 0–40 cm, is shown to be an effective sampling medium for deep-penetrating geochemical surveys. A wide-spaced geochemical survey at a density of approximately 1 site per 100 km2 was carried out throughout the whole basin using this sampling medium. Samples were analyzed for 30 elements by ICP-MS following a 4-acid extraction. Three large-scale geochemical anomalies of U and Mo were delineated over the whole basin. One of the anomalies is consistent with the known U deposit at Shihongtan in the western part of the basin. A new potential target in the eastern part of the basin was selected for a follow-up survey at a density of 1 sample per 4 km2. A drilling exploration programme at the center of the geochemical anomaly delineated by this follow-up survey discovered a new U deposit.

► Uranium is converted to uranyl ions under oxidation conditions in desert terrains.
► The ion complexes are sorbed on clay minerals.
► Fine-grained soils from the clay-rich horizon is an effective sampling medium for deep-penetrating geochemical surveys.
► U and Mo are highly correlated.