Zoning characteristics of uranium and associated elements in the No. 510 uranium deposit, Sichuan

Previous studies of associated elements of the No. 510 uranium deposit in Sichuan mostly focus on individual ore blocks. To classify the types of associated resources in the whole deposit, this study conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis based on the investigation of horizontal and vertical zoning of associated elements of uranium ores, as well as the existing study results of rock and deposit geochemistry and metallogenic regularity. Accordingly, this study ascertained the zoning characteristics of associated minerals in the whole deposit. In the vertical direction, the deposit was divided into three mineral assemblage zones: the iron-nickel sulfide-uranium mineralization zone, the low-content sulfide-uranium mineralization zone, and the sphalerite-low-content iron-nickel sulfide-uranium mineralization zone. In the horizontal direction, the deposit was divided into the upper Ni, V → Zn → Ni (low-content Cu) and the lower Mo, Ni, Zn, V → Zn, Ni → Mo, Ni, Zn → Zn (low-content Cu) metallogenic element assemblage transition zones. The smelting and recovery experiments were completed for uranium and associated metals such as molybdenum, nickel, and zinc in the deposit, increasing the economic value of the deposit and expanding economic benefits. This study determined six types of associated resources for the No. 510 uranium deposit and comprehensively evaluated the utilization of associated elements, providing theoretical guidance for both the deep prospecting prediction and the prospecting of replacement resources in similar mines.