Reconnaissance for uranium in black shale, Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, 1953

Trace Elements Investigations 464
This report concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
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Abstract

Reconnaissance examinations for uranium in 22 formations containing black shale were conducted in parts of Montana, North Dakota, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon during 1953. About 150 samples from 80 outcrop localities and 5 oil and gas wells were submitted for uranium determinations. Most of the black shale deposits examined contain less than 0.003 percent uranium; however, thin beds of black shale at the base of the Mississippian system contain 0.005 percent uranium at 2 outcrop localities in southwestern Montana and as much as 0.007 percent uranium in a well in northeastern Montana. An eight-foot bed of phosphatic black shale at the base of the Brazer limestone of Late Mississippian age in Rich County, Utah, contains as much as 0.009 percent uranium.


Commercial gamma ray logs of oil and gas wells drilled in Montana and adjacent parts of the Dakotas indicate that locally the Heath shale of Late Mississippian age contains as much as 0.01 percent equivalent uranium, and black shales of Late Cretaceous age contain as much as 0.008 percent equivalent uranium.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Reconnaissance for uranium in black shale, Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, 1953
Series title Trace Elements Investigations
Series number 464
DOI 10.3133/tei464
Year Published 1954
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description 49 p.
Country United States
State Idaho;Montana;North Dakota;Oregon;Utah
Other Geospatial Rocky Mountains
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