Technical Meeting on Metasomatite uranium occurences and deposits

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) Technical Meeting on Metasomatite uranium occurences and deposits June 2013, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria INFORMATION SHEET AND CALL FOR PAPERS I. INTRODUCTION Metasomatism, a common geological process, is sometimes intimately associated to uranium ore forming processes. Granite, gneiss, migmatite, metasediments or metavolcanics could be metasomatised and host uranium mineralization. Several sub-types of uranium mineralization have been distinguished, such as (a) sodium metasomatite deposits, generally associated with calcium-metasomatism and sometime late potassium-metasomatism; (b) potash metasomatite deposits; and (c) skarn deposits. The two first types represent very larges resources, the third one represents much smaller resources. The main period during which uranium mineralization associated with sodium metasomatites are developed is the Paleoproterozoic ( Ma). A second episode is known during the Mesoproterozoic ( Ma) and smaller discrete events occurred during from 500 to 200 Ma. The source of the fluids responsible for the metasomatism and quartz dissolution, circulating along deep and large shear zones, is debated. Possible uranium sources include protoliths with high initial uranium, such as granite/orthogneisses, metavolcanics,, and/or conglomerates which can be the equivalent of Archean to Proterozoic quartz pebble conglomerates with detrital uraninite. Some 50 uranium deposits worldwide are attributed to metasomatite from several countries. The largest known deposits and the most typical associated with sodium metasomatites are seen in the Kirovograd-Krivoi Rog District, Ukraine. Other regions with similar deposits are the Lagoa Real district in Brazil, Michelin in Canada, the Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan, and many others. Some others like Beaverlodge in Canada and Itataia in Brazil present special characteristics. Uranium deposits in potassium metasomatites are known in the Elkon Horst, southern Yakutia, Russia. Brannerite is commonly a major ore mineral besides uranium oxides in metasomatite deposits. Inca in Namibia represents a new and very prospective discovery of the skarn uranium deposit sub-type. Presently only a small part of the global uranium production comes from metasomatite type of deposits, but many of them are

2 Page 2 potential candidates for future production of uranium and this type of deposit remains largely underexplored. Metasomatite deposits remain one of the least understood types due to the complexities in geological, geochemical and structural control in the origin and nature. Exploration for this type of deposit needs a better understanding of the nature and controls of the mineralization, and may require the use of specific techniques. Given the potential for discovery of hitherto unknown deposits of this kind in many countries, better understanding of this deposit type will be helpful in assuring uranium supplies for the growing nuclear energy programme. The purpose of the Technical Meeting is to provide a forum for experts from Member States to exchange information on the latest developments geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, structural controls, exploration case studies, resource evaluation, and processing of metasomatite uranium deposits. Additionally recent research in environmental studies, safety and social licensing aspects related with development of this type of deposits will be discussed. The target participants of the Technical Meeting are professionals engaged in uranium geology, exploration and production, researchers, energy planners and officials from Member States interested in uranium resources. The Technical Meeting (TM) will be held in IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria. II. TOPICS TO BE COVERED The following specific topics are identified as being of particular interest, and shall be considered in the papers to be presented: Geological setting and geotectonic/structural controls of metasomatite uranium deposits; Origin of metasomatite uranium deposits; Mineralization styles of metasomatite uranium deposits; Recognition criteria for metasomatite uranium deposits; Geochemical and geophysical exploration for metasomatite uranium deposits; Exploration and production case histories of metasomatite uranium deposits; Ore processing of metasomatite uranium deposits; and Socio-economic and environmental issues in production from metasomatite uranium deposits. III. ORGANIZATION Chairman: Mr Michel Cuney Research Director at French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) UMR GEORESSOURCES & CREGU Université de Lorraine BP F VANDOEUVRE les NANCY Cedex, France Phone: 33-(0) Fax: 33-(0)

3 Page 3 michel.cuney@univ.lorraine.fr Scientific Secretary: Mr Harikrishnan Tulsidas International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre 1400 Vienna, Austria Phone: Fax: T.Harikrishnan@iaea.org IAEA Secretariat: Ms Michaela Neuenhaus, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre 1400 Vienna, Austria Phone: Fax: M. IV. PARTICIPATION Each person wishing to participate in the meeting is requested to complete the Participation and Form for Submission of a Paper (Forms A and B attached), with an indication of the intention to present a paper must be sent to the IAEA Secretariat through the competent official authority by 1 March Participants are required to prepare a paper on the topic related to metasomatite uranium deposits and to make a presentation of their paper. Each presentation should have a duration of approximately 30 minutes and should preferably be prepared in Microsoft PowerPoint format. Contributed papers and presentations should be submitted in English with an electronic version provided to the Scientific Secretary prior to the meeting. V PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS The designated participants should provide an abstract of approximately 250 words for their paper as well as the completed Form for Submission of a Paper (Form B attached) to the Scientific Secretary latest by 1 March Participants will be asked to prepare a paper on the topics indicated above and to make a presentation of their paper. The presentations will have a duration of approximately 20 minutes and it is preferred that they are prepared in MS PowerPoint format. Contributed papers and presentations should be submitted in English with an electronic version provided to the scientific secretary before 30 April, VI. VENUE AND ACCOMODATION The meeting will be held at IAEA Headquarters in M0E1 Press Room, Vienna International Centre. Participants are advised to arrive one hour prior to the convening time of the meeting to allow for timely registration. They should present an official photo identification document in order to be admitted to the VIC premises.

4 Page 4 The following web page on the IAEA Meetings and Conferences website: can be accessed for more detailed information on Vienna and the VIC. VII. VISA ARRANGEMENTS Participants are also advised that they may require a valid passport and Schengen visa for entry into Austria. Accordingly, it would be advisable to begin the immediate preparation of travel arrangements and necessary authorizations. The Secretariat should be contacted as soon as possible if a formal invitation letter is needed in order to facilitate the visa request. We recommend that participants apply for visas in a timely manner, if necessary. VIII. EXPENDITURES In accordance with the established rules, Governments, national authorities, private companies or individual sources are expected to bear the travel and other costs of designated participants in the meeting. Limited funds are, however, available to help cover the cost of participants from Member States eligible to receive technical assistance under the IAEA s technical cooperation programme. Such assistance can be offered, upon specific request, to one participant per country provided that, in the IAEA s view, this participant will make an important contribution to the meeting. The application for financial support should be made at the time of the designation of the participant. The Secretariat wishes to state that compensation is not payable by the IAEA for any damage to or loss of the experts personal property. However, for the period of their engagement with the IAEA, including travel between their residence and the duty station, the designated experts will be covered under the IAEA s insurance policy for permanent total disablement or death resulting from service-incurred accidents or illness up to a maximum of , for permanent partial disablement resulting from service-incurred accidents or illness up to a maximum of and for medical expenses up to a maximum of plus for supplementary travel and accommodation expenses in case of illness or injury resulting from service-incurred accidents or illness, in accordance with the terms of the IAEA s relevant insurance policy. This insurance coverage only covers accidents and illnesses insofar as they clearly result from attendance at an IAEA meeting. The IAEA recommends that the expert also make arrangements for private insurance coverage on an individual basis. IX. WORKING LANGUAGE The working language of the meeting will be English. All communications, abstracts, and papers must be sent in English.

5 FORM A T1-TM- INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY Technical Meeting on Metasomatite uranium occurences and deposits June 2013, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria To be sent to competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Atomic Energy Authority) for transmission to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, 1400 Vienna, Austria PARTICIPATION FORM DEADLINE: 1 March 2013 Family name: All initials of given name: Mr Ms Institution: Full address: For urgent communications please indicate: Phone No.: Telefax No.: Nationality: Designating government or organization: Mailing address (if different from address of institution): Do you intend to present a paper? YES NO Title of the paper: An abstract of my paper is attached? YES NO

6 FORM B T1-TM- INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY Technical Meeting on Metasomatite uranium occurences and deposits June 2013, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF A PAPER DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 1 March 2013 TITLE OF THE PAPER AUTHOR(S) INITIAL(S) AND FAMILY NAME(S) SCIENTIFIC ESTABLISHMENT(S) IN WHICH WORK HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT TOWN/COUNTRY AUTHOR WHO WILL PRESENT THE PAPER Mailing Address: Mr./Ms. Initial(s): Family Name: For urgent communications please indicate: Telefax No.: Telex No.: I HEREBY AGREE TO ASSIGN TO THE INERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY THE COPYRIGHT OR THE NON-EXCLUSIVE, ROYALTY FREE LICENSE TO PUBLISH THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PAPER, AND CERTFY THAT NO OTHER RIGHTS HAVE BEEN GRANTED WHICH COULD CONFLICT WITH THE RIGHT HEREBY GIVEN TO THE AGENCY. DATE: (SIGNATURE OF MAIN AUTHOR)