Advances in Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Research | Vol.4, Iss.2 A...
Agpaitic Nepheline Syenites of the Ilimaussaq Complex
1. U2010, Saskatoon, Canada AgpaiticNephelineSyenites of the Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland: An Important New Uranium Ore-Type John L. Mair (BSc (Hons), PhD, MAusIMM) General Manager Business Development Shaun Bunn (BSc, GDip (Met), MBA, MAusIMM) Chief Operating Officer “Specialty Metals for a Greener World”
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Material presented herein draws on studies by Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd. as well as many years work by numerous groups Geology and resources: Geological survey of Greenland and Denmark, researchers from the University of Copenhagen Metallurgy and process development: Danish Atomic Energy Commission (RISO)
3. Introduction Uranium and REEs: strategically important commodities for the future Greenland: an emerging minerals province Project: the Kvanefjeld Multi-element Project, South Greenland Geology: Intrusive deposit types: Alaskite (leucogranite) – large bulk-tonnage, low grade deposits Rossing Mine, Rossing South, Etango, Valencia Agpaitic Nepheline Syenites: type locality – Ilimaussaq Complex Unconventional rocks and minerals; unique hydrometallurgical uranium extraction
4. Greenland Geology Border zone Batholith zone Archaeancraton Ketilidianorogen (Paleaoproterozoic) Metasediment zone Gardar Province (Mesoproterozoic) Gardar Province – Alkaline intrusions emplaced in a continental rift setting (Ilimaussaq Intrusion)
5. 5 Ilimaussaq Intrusive Complex Ilimaussaq Complex False-colour image over south Greenland
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7. Subject of more that 700 published scientific papers
14. MAJOR ORE TYPES OF THE ILIMAUSSAQ COMPLEX REE, U, Zn ores Eudialyte ores (Zr, REE, +/-Nb, Ta) U Zr REE Key Minerals Steenstrupine - U, REEs Na-Zr-U-silicates - U, Y Cerite, Vitusite - REEs Sphalerite - Zinc Eudialyte +/-monazite Geochemical profiles
15. Block faulting has resulted in different levels of the complex being exposed with deeper levels exposed to the south Upper Levels Mid- Levels Basal Levels (Kakortokites)
16. View toward northern half of the complex where highest levels are preserved Thick sequence of black lujavrite
22. Grades range from >350 ppm U3O8, 1.3% REO near surface, to 200 ppm U3O8 and 1% REO below 250 m depth
23. Resource is located 7 km from tidewater, with deep water fjords running directly out to North Atlantic OceanKvanefjeld – Long section through resource model
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25. The Global Significance of the Kvanefjeld Resource Kvanefjeld is both large, and relatively enriched in the high-demand Heavy Rare Earths Known REE resources that are compliant by either the Australian JORC code, or Canadian National Instrument 43-101 standards. China also contains very significant REE resources but compliant figures are uncertain (Source IMCOA).
26. Ilimaussaq Complex Resource Potential Regional drill holes demonstrate huge potential for new multi-element deposits Lujavrite – host to multi-element ores, occurs throughout the northern Ilimaussaq Complex at varying depths B B’
38. Variability tests reveal significant mineralogical influence on uranium recovery – ability to account for mineralogical variation in resource essential