Uranium-bearing breccia pipes of northwestern Arizona - an overview

Conference · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7013065

Chenoweth, W L

During the 1950s and 1960s, the uranium deposits in breccia pipes of the Grand Canyon region were regarded as geologic curiosities. Today this area is the site of numerous exploration projects for ore-bearing pipes. The classic example of the older mines is the Orphan Lode, a patented claim within Grand Canyon National Park. Between 1956 and 1969, this deposit produced 4.26 million lb U/sub 3/O/sub 8/. Exploration since the mid-1970s has developed numerous new deposits in the Grand Canyon region. The Hack 1, 2, and 3, Pigeon, Kanab North, Canyon, and Pinenut deposits are, or will be, mined. The pipes are circular and originated by dissolution of the Mississippian Redwall Limestone and collapse of the overlying strata. Uraninite ore occurs in both the pipe fill and in association with the peripheral shear zone. The principal host rocks are the Coconino Sandstone, Hermit Shale, and Esplanade Sandstone. Although small (3 to 5 million lb U/sub 3/O/sub 8/), the high grade (60 to 70% U/sub 3/O/sub 8/) of the deposits makes the pipes attractive exploration targets.

• OSTI ID: 7013065
• Report Number(s): CONF-8609129-; TRN: 87-002905
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:8; Conference: AAPG Rocky Mountain Section meeting, Casper, WY, USA, 7 Sep 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ARIZONA
URANIUM DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
SANDSTONES
SHALES
URANINITES
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE MINERALS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
URANIUM MINERALS
USA
050100* - Nuclear Fuels- Reserves
Exploration
& Mining