Uranium prospecting breakthrough, achievement expanding and prospecting orientation in main Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary uranium basins of Inner Mongolia

Abstract: Since the localization of the most of the uranium geological prospecting units in 2000, The geological party of CNM carried out geological exploration projects and surveys in Ordos, Erlian and Bayingobi Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary basins in consistency with the strategic plan of “in situ leaching sandstone uranium as the predominant uranium type in north China”. A breakthrough in prospecting was achieved, and all achievements have also been constantly expanded in the subsequent exploration. In addition, both Ordos Basin and Erlian Basin were listed as the first batch of equipped exploration areas in 2011. As expanding and consolidating existing achievements in the same time and summarizing the key factors and patterns of prospecting breakthrough constitute particularly important steps for the achievement expanding and discovering of new deposits. Based on the basic characteristics of main Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary uranium basins of Inner Mongolia, this paper sums up crucial techniques and methods for prospecting breakthroughs, analyzes uranium ore-forming potential and exploration prospect, and points out the three metallogenic belts of Husiliang, Bayinggebi-Saihantala-Qiha, and Yingejing edge as the key areas to expand the achievement.