Heavy-mineral criteria for subsurface uranium exploration, San Juan Basin, New Mexico

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Mem. - N.M. Bur. Mines Miner. Resour.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6189080

Rhett, D W

In Phillips Petroleum Company's Nose Rock deposit, uranium occurs in a series of roll-front deposits in now largely reduced rock. Mineralogical data support geological evidence that the oxidizing ground-water regime that prevailed during active migration of the roll fronts was replaced by a reducing ground-water regime. This reducing event halted roll-front migration and generally obliterated macroscopic evidence of oxidation. Diagenetic heavy-mineral assemblages have survived the reducing event and reflect the geochemical environment in which they formed. Consequently, diagnostic heavy-mineral assemblages can be used to identify geochemical zones associated with roll-front mineralization in reduced ground. A field trial based on the heavy-mineral composition of drill cuttings demonstrated that mineralogical criteria can provide a reliable means of recognizing stratigraphic horizons that were traversed by roll-front systems.

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, OK
• OSTI ID: 6189080
• Report Number(s): CONF-7905120-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Mem. - N.M. Bur. Mines Miner. Resour.; (United States) Journal Volume: 38
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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