Palaeochannel controlled Cretaceous sandstone-type uranium deposit of Lostoin area, Mahadek basin, Meghalaya

Pramod Kumar, B. Panigrahi, G. B. Joshi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sandstone–type uranium deposit hosted by reduced feldspathic sandstone sequence of lower part of Cretaceous Mahadek Formation occurs at Lostoin area of Mahadek basin and is confined within a prominent palaeochannel of NNE-SSW trend with flow towards SSW. The channel-fill comprises of about 10 m to 55 m grey to dark grey coloured, reduced, coarse to medium grained feldspathic sandstone along with abundant carbonaceous matter (5 to 15% by visual estimation) and is overlain by 5 m to 80 m of oxidized sub-feldspathic sandstone. Correlatable medium grade (∼ 0.1% U3O8) uranium mineralization is intercepted in the boreholes aligned along the palaeochannel. Uraniferous solutions generated from the fertile provenance of south Khasi batholith flow through the channel and precipitated uranium at suitable reduction traps. Gentle slope of 2° to 3° of the basement channel facilitated prolonged interaction of uraniferous solution with reductants causing ore grade concentration. It has been envisaged that the control of palaeochannel and palaeobasement topography of the ore body would continue towards the SSW beyond Wahblei river.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)424-428
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the Geological Society of India
Volume87
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2016
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016, Geological Society of India.

Keywords

  • Mahadek Basin
  • Meghalaya
  • Palaeochannel
  • Sandstone-type uranium deposit

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