Abstract
Low grade uranium mineralisation associated with phosphorites/ phosphatic sediments and carbonaceous shale has been well established at and/or close to Krol- Tal contact in some of sub-basins of inner Krol belt such as Nigalidhar, Mussoorie and Garhwal synclines in the realm of lesser Himalaya. Unlike the other sub-basins of the belt, though the Nainital syncline is sparsely phosphatic and carbonaceous, carbonate hosted uranium occurrence is reported for the first time from the syncline. The carbonate-hosted uranium occurrences in Krol D of Nainital syncline are of limited extent with values ranging from 200 ppm to 840 ppm eU3O8. Radioactivity is associated with fractured dolostone/ dolomitic limestone and pelloidal limestone. Uranium phases mostly occur in association with carbonaceous, ferruginous matters and clays. However, ultrafine pitchblende grains do occur associated with idiotopic pyrite aggregates suggesting initial trapping of uranium by organic matters present in sediments which later remobilised and precipitated as fine pitchblende. Subsequently, second phase of remobilisation of uranium under oxidising condition gave rise uraniferous goethite, limonite and other iron oxyhydoxides. In contrast to other sub-basins, the Krol-Tal contact in Nainital syncline does not appear to hold any promising phosphate and uranium mineralisation due to less suitable basinal morphology and low Ca/Mg ratio.
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Sinha, K.K., Ghosh, D., Rai, S.D. et al. Uranium mineralisation in carbonate rocks from the upper part of Krol formation in Nainital syncline and its significance for uranium exploration in lesser Himalaya. J Geol Soc India 88, 295–304 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0492-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0492-8