Sandstone Type Uranium Occurrences in Western Murzuk Basin, Libya

Abstract

This study is concerened with the uranium occurrences in western flank of the Murzuk basin, southwest Libya. Numerous uranium occurrences have been recognized in sedimentary rocks of the Zarzaitine Formation of Triassic period. These occurrences were investigated by geological, radiometrical, mineralogical and geochemical methods to reveal the occurrence and geological setting of these uranium mineralizations, especially the relationship with sedimentary environment of the host rock.
These occurrences belong to a stratabound uranium mineralization in sedimentary rocks of the Zarzaitine Formation. Five sedimentary cycles were recognized in the formation, and lithology of the continental sediments consist of coarse to fine grained clastic materials.
Beta-uranophane, carnotite and tyuyamunite are important ore minerals, however, tetravalent uranium mineral has never been identified in these occurrences. The uranium mineralization is associated with geochemical anomalies of vanadium, molybdenum, selenium, iron and sulfur. Uranium and these associated elements seem to be supplied from Hoggar granite massif belt.