Open AccessThe uranium deposit at Kvanefjeld, the Ilímaussaq intrusion, South Greenland, Geology, reserves and beneficiation
Author(s) -
H. Sørensen,
J. Rose-Hansen,
B.L Nielsen,
Leif Løvborg,
Erik-Vest Sørensen,
Thomas Lundgaard
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
rapport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2597-2944
pISSN - 0418-6559
DOI - 10.34194/rapggu.v60.7370
Subject(s) - uranium , beneficiation , thorium , nepheline syenite , monazite , geochemistry , peralkaline rock , geology , tonne , uranium ore , intrusion , zircon , mineralogy , metallurgy , chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , volcano
The uranium-thorium deposit is located in part of an alkaline intrusion consisting of peralkaline, agpaitic nepheline syenites. The radioactive minerals are steenstrupine, uranium-rich monazite, thorite and pigmentary material. The radio-element content varies from 100 to 3000 ppm U and 300 to 15000 ppm Th. Reasonably assured ore in the main area with a grade of 310 ppm is calculated to 5800 metric tons of uranium in 18.6 million metric tons of ore. Estimated additional reserves with a grade of 292 ppm U are 29.4 million tons of ore with 8700 tons of uranium and 3.5 million tons of ore with a grade of 350 ppm yielding 1200 tons of uranium. Estimates of amounts of thorium ore are 2.6 times those of uranium. A method of recovery of the uranium based on sulphating roasting and subsequent leaching with water is described.