Application of Mineral-Solution Equilibria to the Search for Sanstone-Type Uranium Deposits in the Beaver Basin, Utah

Authors

W. R. Miller
J. B. McHugh
U.S. Geological Survey

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1981

Abstract

An improved computer modeling program was used to calculate the saturation indexes of 50 waters from the Beaver basin in west-central Utah with respect to uraninite and coffinite. The mineral-solution study showed that the chemical environment of parts of the Beaver basin is favorable for the occurrence of sandstone-type uranium deposits. The ground waters from several areas are supersaturated with respect to uraninite and coffinite. Two areas, in particular, an area west of the town of Beaver and an area near the settlement of Manderfield, have been identified as most favorable for exploration. The methods described in this study can be utilized to evaluate waters from wells and exploration drill holes as indicators of proximity to possible sandstone-type uranium deposits in other alluvial basins in the western United States.

Comments

Open-File Report 81-1289

Recommended Citation

Miller, W. R.; McHugh, J. B.; and U.S. Geological Survey, "Application of Mineral-Solution Equilibria to the Search for Sanstone-Type Uranium Deposits in the Beaver Basin, Utah" (1981). All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository). Paper 559.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs/559