Chemical data and statistical interpretations for rocks and ores from the Ranger uranium mine, Northern Territory, Australia

Open-File Report 83-239
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Abstract

Analytical results for 61 elements in 370 samples from the Ranger Mine area are reported. Most of the rocks come from drill core in the Ranger No. 1 and Ranger No. 3 deposits, but 20 samples are from unmineralized drill core more than 1 km from ore. Statistical tests show that the elements Mg, Fe, F, Be, Co, Li, Ni, Pb, Sc, Th, Ti, V, CI, As, Br, Au, Ce, Dy, La Sc, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Tb have positive association with uranium, and Si, Ca, Na, K, Sr, Ba, Ce, and Cs have negative association. For most lithologic subsets Mg, Fe, Li, Cr, Ni, Pb, V, Y, Sm, Sc, Eu, and Yb are significantly enriched in ore-bearing rocks, whereas Ca, Na, K, Sr, Ba, Mn, Ce, and Cs are significantly depleted. These results are consistent with petrographic observations on altered rocks. Lithogeochemistry can aid exploration, but for these rocks requires methods that are expensive and not amenable to routine use.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Chemical data and statistical interpretations for rocks and ores from the Ranger uranium mine, Northern Territory, Australia
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 83-239
DOI 10.3133/ofr83239
Edition -
Year Published 1983
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description 139 p. ill., maps ;28 cm.
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