The development of genetic deposit models and evaluation of the environmental impacts of mining require targeted scientific research. This research helps define factors critical to the formation of economic concentrations of uranium, and impacts of mining this uranium. Examples of some uranium research studies that have been recently completed or are in progress are described below. Products of this work are published as peer reviewed articles or fact sheets and presented to scientific or wider non-scientific audiences.
Using GIS technology, multiple sources of data were combined to develop a comprehensive regional genetic model for sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the Texas Coastal Plain region. The method of integrating this data at a regional scale and at different intervals of geologic time, led to the identification of tracts that were prospective for additional uranium resources. This deposit model was used to estimate potential uranium resources for the region.
The largest unmined uranium deposit in the US is Coles Hill, located in southwestern Virginia. The original of Coles Hill has been enigmatic since its discovery over 35 years ago. A genetic model is being developed by a research team comprised of geologists at the USGS, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Virginia Uranium and Virginia Technical University at Blacksburg. The complexity of the deposit is related to multiple tectonic episodes that have impacted this portion of the US, and requires careful integration of the work of geochemists, geochronologists, structural geologists and mineralogists applying multiple analytic techniques. This model will be the basis of an assessment of additional prospective areas and potential uranium resources in the southeastern US.
Interdisciplinary uranium environmental studies are being carried out by the USGS scientists and includes the work of geologists, engineers, biologists and hydrologists. Studies of potential mining impacts of uranium are guided by the USGS Environmental Health mission area. Methodology is being developed to integrate the environmental impacts of mining with mineral resources assessments by the USGS Energy and Minerals mission area.
Original URL (may be offline because of the Trump Government Shutdown). Original URL: https://energy.usgs.gov/otherenergy/uranium.aspx#3900255-research
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