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Robert W. Gregory Geologist, Uranium & Industrial Minerals Wyoming State Geological Survey

Robert W. Gregory Geologist, Uranium & Industrial Minerals Wyoming State Geological Survey. Overview of Uranium Geology, Mining and Production. Uses for Uranium. Historic Uses Coloring agent (glass) Research on radioactivity (pitchblende) Led to discovery of Po, Ra Half-lives

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Robert W. Gregory Geologist, Uranium & Industrial Minerals Wyoming State Geological Survey

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  1. Robert W. GregoryGeologist, Uranium & Industrial Minerals Wyoming State Geological Survey Overview of Uranium Geology, Mining and Production

  2. Uses for Uranium Historic Uses Coloring agent (glass) Research on radioactivity (pitchblende) • Led to discovery of Po, Ra • Half-lives • Atomic structure • Protons, Neutrons, Electrons • Theories on nuclear energy • Electricity • Weapons

  3. Valuable properties of Uranium • Radioactive • Isotopes: • 238U – 99.275 % of naturally-occurring U • 235U – 0.720 % “ • 234U – 0.005 % “ • Spontaneous fission  neutrons & gamma radiation • Chain reactions  nuclear-powered electricity • Dense metal

  4. Uses for Uranium • Radioactivity-based applications: • Nuclear weapons • Nuclear power for naval vessels •  technology for nuclear-powered civilian electricity • Medicine • TEM • Staining viruses, organelles & macromolecules • Geochronolgy • Density-based applications: • Shielding • Armor • Radioactivity containment (depleted uranium) • Projectiles • Armor-piercing bullets, etc. • Ballast

  5. Nuclear Radiation α – Alpha (particle) 2 protons 2 neutrons Can be stopped by sheet of paper or plastic wrap β – Beta (particle) 1 electron Relatively low energy Can penetrate ~ 1” of wood (very low mass) γ – Gamma (wave) Electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays High energy (v. small wavelength) Can penetrate ¼” of lead or 3’ of concrete

  6. Nuclear Radiation • Fission of Uranium releases: • Particles • Gamma radiation • @ Critical mass of 235U • Chain reaction – one fission releases particles which then initiate more fission • Controlled Chain Reaction creates the energy to fuel nuclear power plants • ≥ 3% 235U in nuclear fuel rods • (≥ 85% 235U in nuclear weapons)

  7. Granite fractionation 2nd generation melt Concentration Of Uranium melting Granite fractionation Basalt melting Time Geology of Uranium Deposits Mantle

  8. Geology of Uranium Deposits

  9. Prerequisites for a Sandstone U Deposit Source of U - Precambrian basement rocks? Tertiary volcanic ashes and tuffs? Combination? Coarse sands with good porosity and permeability Ground water flow (naturally oxygenated) – ideally channelized, high rate of flow Reduction zone – heavy mins., organic matter

  10. Tertiary Volcanics - White River Formation

  11. Precambrian Granitic Rocks – Granite Mountains, Central WY

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