Regional Setting, Geology, and Paragenesis of the Centennial Unconformity-Related Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2014 Regional Setting, Geology, and Paragenesis of the Centennial Unconformity-Related Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada Kyle D. Reid; Kyle D. Reid † 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E2, †Corresponding author: e-mail, [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kevin Ansdell; Kevin Ansdell 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E2, Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dan Jiricka; Dan Jiricka 2Cameco Corporation, 2121-11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7M 1J3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gary Witt; Gary Witt 2Cameco Corporation, 2121-11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7M 1J3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Colin Card Colin Card 3Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Ministry of the Economy, Government of Saskatchewan, 200-2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK, Canada S4P 2H9 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kyle D. Reid † 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E2, Kevin Ansdell 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E2, Dan Jiricka 2Cameco Corporation, 2121-11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7M 1J3 Gary Witt 2Cameco Corporation, 2121-11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7M 1J3 Colin Card 3Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Ministry of the Economy, Government of Saskatchewan, 200-2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK, Canada S4P 2H9 †Corresponding author: e-mail, [e-mail] Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists Received: 15 Jan 2012 Accepted: 04 Jun 2013 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1554-0774 Print ISSN: 0361-0128 © 2014 Society of Economic Geologists. Economic Geology (2014) 109 (3): 539–566. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.109.3.539 Article history Received: 15 Jan 2012 Accepted: 04 Jun 2013 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Kyle D. Reid, Kevin Ansdell, Dan Jiricka, Gary Witt, Colin Card; Regional Setting, Geology, and Paragenesis of the Centennial Unconformity-Related Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada. Economic Geology 2014;; 109 (3): 539–566. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.109.3.539 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Centennial unconformity-related uranium deposit represents the first significant uranium mineralization along the Snowbird tectonic zone in the south-central part of the Athabasca Basin. The deposit is associated with a steeply WNW-dipping contact between the Virgin Schist Group and mylonitic granite of uncertain age. Virgin Schist Group rocks in the deposit area include phyllites, impure quartzite, and quartzite. Medium- to coarse-grained microcline "augen" porphyroclasts characterize the granite. The quartzite, being resistant to weathering, forms a paleotopographic high flanked by a paleotalus which formed prior to Athabasca Group sedimentation. Diabase, petrographically and geochemically similar to the 1.27 Ga Mackenzie dikes, intrudes the mineralized trend along brittle structures in the basement rocks and Athabasca Group. A detailed paragenetic study of the deposit area reveals a protracted history that is related to the episodic reactivation of brittle structures and associated fluid movement along this significant structural corridor. Retrograde metamorphism converted biotite to chamosite at temperatures between 335° to 350°C. Weathering caused the breakdown of microcline and the dissolution of quartz prior to erosion and deposition of the Athabasca Group, which started at about 1750 Ma. Compaction and diagenesis resulted in quartz overgrowths and development of a diagenetic clay assemblage of illite and sudoite at temperatures between 150° and 200°C, which was broadly synchronous with primary mineralization. Clinochlore, euhedral quartz, carbonate, and pyrite was developed after the intrusion of the diabase under reducing conditions, primarily at temperatures between 270° to 320°C. Uranium remobilization and alteration of uraninite to coffinite appears to have taken place after the emplacement of the diabase dikes. Kaolinite and uranophane form last in the paragenetic sequence and probably form at relatively low temperatures. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.