Uranium in Western Colorado

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Mt. Geol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5955946

Chenoweth, W L

Uranium deposits in western Colorado occur in rocks of many geologic ages and lithologic types. Bedded, vanadiferous deposits in continental, fluvial sandstones of the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation of Jurassic age are the most important. A cluster of deposits in Mesa, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties comprises the Colorado segment of the Uravan mineral belt, the largest uranium area in Colorado. During the period 1948 through 1976, 15,589,100 tons of ore with an average grade of 0.23% U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ and containing 71,132,400 pounds of uranium oxide (U/sub 3/O/sub 8/) have been produced from western Colorado. This amounts to 12% of the total United States' uranium ore production. In addition, 350,522,000 pounds of vanadium oxide (V/sub 2/O/sub 5/) have been recovered. The discovered ore reserves and the favorable geology for undiscovered potential resources are expected to maintain western Colorado as a significant source of uranium for years to come.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Energy, Grand Junction, CO
• OSTI ID: 5955946
• Journal Information: Mt. Geol.; (United States), Journal Name: Mt. Geol.; (United States) Vol. 15:3; ISSN MOGEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050300* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Mining-- (-1987)
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
COLORADO
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
ELEMENTS
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION
METALS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ORES
PRODUCTION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
URANIUM
URANIUM ORES
USA
VANADIUM