a 2017

Micro-analytical instruments for investigation of elemental and mineral distribution in uranium-bearing sandstones

MIKYSEK, Petr; Marek SLOBODNÍK; Marek DOSBABA and Tomáš TROJEK

Basic information

Original name

Micro-analytical instruments for investigation of elemental and mineral distribution in uranium-bearing sandstones

Authors

MIKYSEK, Petr (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution); Marek SLOBODNÍK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution); Marek DOSBABA (203 Czech Republic) and Tomáš TROJEK (203 Czech Republic)

Edition

SGEM 2017 Conference Proceeding, 2017

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Conference abstract

Field of Study

10504 Mineralogy

Country of publisher

Bulgaria

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/17:00098953

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

ISBN

978-619-7408-29-4

ISSN

DOI

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-85063074425

Keywords in English

X-ray Fluorescence; Uranium; Automated mineralogy analysis; Sandstone-hosted deposit; X-ray powder diffraction

Tags

Reviewed
Changed: 31/1/2020 10:11, Mgr. Petr Mikysek, Ph.D.

Abstract

In the original language

Innovative methods in the investigation of low-grade uranium ores were tested. As the individual ore components in the rock are optically undetectable, we focused on the detection of selected elements (U, Zr, Fe, Nb), their possible associations and distribution. For this purpose, mineral mapping of sample surface was used. The studied samples are uranium-bearing sandstones with remarkable elemental and mineral compositions. Low concentrations of the main ore elements and the small size of mineral phases (in microns) require a sophisticated approach. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to obtain elemental maps. Mineralogical analysis was performed using automated mineralogy systems (TIMA3) that included a FEG-SEM with three EDS detectors. Data from the automated mineralogy systems were verified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses. XRF analyses allowed to detect accumulations of the elements of interest across maximum possible surface areas. The resulting elemental maps showed a strong association of U–Zr and a high variability in the distribution of other elements. Furthermore, this micro-analytical technique represents a fast and effective tool for an effective selection of ore material in the preparation of thin sections and other types of samples. The mineral maps were used to establish modal mineralogy and confirm the bulk rock chemical composition. Hydrozircon was identified as the main uranium phase, and the other determined ore minerals included rutile, pyrite and magnetite. Mineral maps show two styles of mineralisation: hydrozircon as cement and hydrozircon in micro-grains dispersed in clay matter. XRD phase analyses verified the mineral composition and match well with the XRF-based elemental maps. The applied micro-analytical instruments and their combination proved to be efficient in the investigation of the given type of samples.