Matveeva reported in 2010 that the Alberta Geological Survey has been investigating uranium potential of Southern Alberta since 2006. A sandstone-hosted uranium deposit model is being used by mineral exploration companies in the province to direct uranium exploration in southern Alberta. Alberta Geological Survey’s fieldwork studies, detailed sample analyses, and oil and gas well logs studies suggest that the geological evidence does not support direct application of this model.
Nonetheless, known and newly discovered uranium anomalies warrant further studies of the uranium potential of the area. But a number of junior mineral exploration companies are exploring southern Alberta for sandstone-hosted uranium. In 2006 Alberta Geological Survey initiated evaluation of the regional uranium potential of the area. Important conclusions were derived from fieldwork, detailed rock-sample studies, and oil and gas well logs.
The geology of southern Alberta is different from other known sandstone-hosted uranium provinces. A sandstone-hosted uranium deposit model requires the existence of uranium source rocks (felsic volcanics or granites), highly permeable, arkosic sandstones, existence of a redox front in the area, and, of course, preservation of the ore bodies. In our studies, we could not identify significant sources of uranium.
The author observed no evidence of intense oxidation in exposed sandstones. Texture, composition and origin of sandstones in southern Alberta are significantly different than those in sandstone-hosted uranium provinces. This leads us to believe that the sandstone-hosted deposit model does not fit well for southern Alberta. However, each uranium region has unique features. Furthermore, the level of uranium exploration of southern Alberta is insufficient to reject the sandstone-hosted model, as it can help direct exploration efforts.
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