EXTECH IV ATHABASCA URANIUM DEPOSIT DATABASE
Geological Survey of Canada, Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, and Alberta Geological Survey


Database name: Uranium Deposits, Athabasca Basin
Custodial agency: Geological Survey of Canada
Compilers: Sunil S. Gandhi
Release date: 2007-03-02
   
Deposit name(s): McClean Lake South Uranium Deposits (occurrence name); McClean Lake Southeast and Southwest Pods (occurrence name); McClean Lake Project (mine name)
Longitude / Latitude: -103.84747 / 58.25733
Political location(s): Canada; Province or state: Saskatchewan; Nearest community: Rabbit Lake mine-mill complex (11 km WNW)
NTS map data: 064L05 (Cunning Bay)
Deposit clan (type): Unconformity-associated
Deposit (sub) types: Unconformity-associated - Proterozoic - clay-bound; two main 300 m long pods are 500 m apart along the basal graphitic metapelite member of Wollaston Group around the north end of Archean dome; mineralization similar to that of pods 600 m to the north; Reference: Wheatley, K.; Williamson, A.; Tourigny, G.; Wilson, S.; Breton, G., 2006: Geology of the McClean Lake/Sue Deposits; C, Section Athabasca Basin Uranium Deposits, In Abstracts Volume for the 2006 CIM Uranium Field Conference, September 11-12, Saskatoon; Uranium: Athabasca Deposits & Analogues, Edited by Quirt, D., Abstracts Volume, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Saskatoon Section, CIM Geological Society, 164 p., p. 1 - 16
Deposit status: advanced prospect; Size category: medium
Geologic province: Churchill - Hearne Craton
Geologic subprovince: Wollaston Domain (Fold Belt)
Geologic district: Eastern Athabasca Basin
Deposit object located: drillhole
Commodities: U; Ni; Co; As
Mineralization styles: massive deposition above unconformi; massive deposition below unconformi; 'perched' mineralization; podiform; fracture-filling
Geological ages: Early Mesoproterozoic - Late Mesoproterozoic (mineralization)
Tectonic setting: continental marginal deformation zone-basement reactivation; convergent; Formal name: Wollaston Domain of Trans-Hudson Orogen (host rocks)
continental basin-intracratonic; stable; Formal name: Athabasca basin (host rocks)
continental basin-unconformity; multiple regimes; Formal name: sub-Athabasca Group unconformity (mineralization)
Coincident features: unconformity (mineralization straddles the unconformity; nearly 60 % of ore in southwest pod is above the unconformity ); Coincident feature name: Sub-Athabasca unconformity
lithology (southeast pod of graphitic schistmainly in the basement, extends to a depth of 75 m below unconformity); Coincident feature name: graphitic schist
fault zone (shearing and thrust faulting along graphitic horizon, which trends NNE and dips 40 to 85° to S); Coincident feature name: Basement faults with post-Athabasca reactivation
basement ridge (mineralization localized along a ridge up to 18 m high, formed by post-Athabasca thrusting); Coincident feature name: Basement fault ridge
paleoregolith
Regional tectonic structure: fold belt (NE-trending regional thermo-tectonic zone; near boundary with Archean Mudjatik Domain to the NW; core of the Trans-Hudson orogen to the SE of fold be) Tectonic structure name: Wollaston fold belt
synform in host metasedimentary sequence (McClean North, South and Sue deposits located at nose of the SW plunging synform) Tectonic structure name: Telegraph Lake synformal pericline
ductile and brittle-ductile fault zone (McClean North, South and Sue deposits located at nose of the SW plunging synform) Tectonic structure name: bedding parallel shears and fractures
Host rocks: (1) metamorphic; graphitic schist (host horizon with graphite-rich beds); Depositional setting: platform-shelf; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite
External host rock forms:thin to thick bedded
Host rock protoliths:carbonaceous pelite (graphite ± pyrite in argillaceous material; interbedded with semipelitic and arkosic strata); Host rock protolith name: part of unit of Wollaston Supergroup
Internal host rock structures:schistose and brecciated
Individual lithologies:graphitic metapelite (mapped as metasemipelite; forms the 2.4 km long McClean North EM conductor zone)
Host rock stratigraphy:Unit of Wollaston Supergroup Group, Wollaston Supergroup

(2) metamorphic; paragneiss (migmatized metasemipelite and meta-arkose); Depositional setting: platform-shelf; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite - upper
Host rock protoliths:semipelite (interbedded pelitic (shale) and arkosic beds; includes the host graphitic horizon); Host rock protolith name: unit of Wollaston Supergroup
arkose; Host rock protolith name: unit of Wollaston Supergroup
Internal host rock structures:well foliated to gneissic and schistose
Individual lithologies:semipelite (mapped as metasemipelite; forms the McClean South EM conductor zone more than 3 km long)
siltstone
arkose
Host rock stratigraphy:Unit of Wollaston Supergroup Group

(3) surficial; laterite (weathered basement; profile 7 to 222 m deep); Host series: paleoregolith; Depositional setting: subaerial; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
External host rock forms:paleoregolith
lateritic profile
Host rock protoliths:graphitic schist (mineralized horizon, marked by graphite±pyrite & faults, weathered to >100 m (max. 222 m)); Host rock protolith name: part of unit of Wollaston Supergroup
metasedimentary schist and gneiss (lateritic profile 30 to 45 m thick over metapelitic and metasemipelitic rocks); Host rock protolith name: unit of Wollaston Supergroup
meta-arkose (average regolith thickness over meta-arkose is 21 m); Host rock protolith name: unit of Wollaston Supergroup
Internal host rock structures:lateritic zonation
lateritic zonation
lateritic zonation
Individual lithologies:laterite (upper oxidized hematitic red to purple zone, capped by thin bleached layer, and grading below into reduced greeish chloritic-illite bearing zone )
laterite (upper oxidized hematitic red to purple zone, capped by thin bleached layer, and grading below into reduced greeish chloritic-illite bearing zone )
laterite (upper oxidized hematitic red to purple zone, capped by thin bleached layer, and grading below into reduced greeish chloritic-illite bearing zone )

(4) sedimentary; sandstone-conglomerate (main host of western pod); Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
External host rock forms:thin to thick bedded, flat lying
Host rock protoliths:quartz arenites (basal gritty sandstone 30 m thick, overlain by 3 to 8 m thick polymictic conglomerate and 122 m thick medium grained sandstone); Host rock protolith name: Manitou Falls B and C Formations
Internal host rock structures:illite-kaolinite matrix 1 to 5 %
Individual lithologies:quartz arenite (basal Athabasca conglomerate, commonly present elsewhere, does not occur at this deposit)
Related igneous rocks: (1) intrusive; gabbro suite (syn- or post-mineralization); Initials: Mackenzie diabase dyke; Magma series: calc-alkaline
Individual lithologies:diabase (dyke north of the deposit; part of the NW-trending, 1270 Ma old Mackenzie dyke swarm)
Country rocks: (1) granitic gneisses; (Torwalt dome 1.5 km NE of deposit); Country rock name: reactivated Archean gneiss dome; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite (upper) - granulite
Country rock protoliths:granitic plutons (distribution of granitic domes under the Athabasca Group incompletely known)
Individual lithologies:granitic gneiss (reactivation of granite during Hudsonian thermo-tectonic event)

(2) metasedimentary rocks; (sub-Athabasca Group host rocks ); Country rock name: Wollaston Group; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite (upper) - granulite
Country rock protoliths:platform-shelf sediments (deposited during the Late Paleoproterozoic on Archean Hearne craton); Country rock protolith name: Wollaston Group
Individual lithologies:metasedimentary rocks (deformed and metamorphosed during late Paleopropterozoic Hudsonian orogeny)

(3) paleo-regolith; (lateritic weathering); Country rock name: sub-Athabasca regolith; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Country rock protoliths:metasedimentary and granitic rocks (profile more than 50 m thick; deeper along faults; weathering effects vary on different rocks); Country rock protolith name: sub-Athabasca basement
Individual lithologies:Lateritic (upper oxidized hematitic red to purple zone; grading below into reduced greeish chloritic-illite bearing zone)

(4) conglomerate-sandstone; (flat-lying, undeformed); Country rock name: Athabasca Group; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Country rock protoliths:arenites (mostly fluvial siliclastic sediments deposited in intractonic basin under stable conditions); Country rock protolith name: Athabasca Group
Individual lithologies:conglomerate-sandstone-siltstone (sandstone predominant; clay matrix 1 to 5 %; Athabasca Group 2 to 5 km thick)
Metallogenic signatures: U
U-Ni-Co-As
Alteration signatures: illite alteration: illite, massive to disseminated; What was altered: feldspar, quartz in host rocks and paleoregolith
hematization: hematite, limonite (goethite); What was altered: mafic silicates and magnetite
chlorite alteration: green clay-chlorite; What was altered: mafic silicates
desilication: removal of quartz by mineralizing solution; What was altered: quartz in host rocks
secondary coarse quartz: subhedral to euhedral quartz crystals; What was altered: fillings in tensional fractures and cavities
Mineralogy: (arsenide ore): uraninite, coffinite, kaolinite, illite, chlorite - Fe-rich, pararammelsbergite, niccolite, siderite, chalcopyrite, gersdorffite, skutterudite (?), safflorite
(bleached ore): uraninite, coffinite, kaolinite, illite, sudoite, pararammelsbergite, niccolite, arsenic, siderite, ilsemannite
(oxide ore): uraninite, pitchblende - massive, coffinite, kaolinite, illite, hematite, goethite, pararammelsbergite, niccolite, ilsemannite, arsenic
(sulphide ore): uraninite, coffinite, kaolinite, illite, chlorite - Fe-rich, siderite, pyrite, bravoite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite
Radiometric ages: Object dated: Alteration Signature(1); Age - Ma: 1,300; +0; -130; Dating method: Ar-Ar; Concentrate: illite; Source rock: mineralization; Event dated: alteration (hypogene); Interpretive comment: Age range 1300 to 1170 Ma; illite from alteration halo of high grade mineralization; Reference: Wallis, R. H.; Saracoglu, N.; Brummer, J. J.; Golightly, J. P., 1985: The Geology of the McClean Uranium Deposits, Northern Saskatchewan; Chapter 2, Section Unconformity-type Deposits in Saskatchewan, In Geology of Uranium Deposits, Edited by Sibbald, T. I. I.; Petruk, W., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 32, 268 p., p. 101 - 131
Deposit shape: zone of elongate pods
Deposit dimensions:length: 850 metre
width: 50 metre
height: 100 metre
Qualified comments: (Applies to: discovery and development) Discovered in 1980;, the deposit comprises SE and SW 'pods', each about 200 m long, along the same graphitic horizon and 500 m apart. McClean Lake Project's mill started in 1999; it continues to treat ores from the JEB and Sue C open pits as of 2002, and will treat ores from the Cigar Lake and McClean (North and South) deposits.

(Applies to: reserve/resource descriptions) SE and SW 'pods', each about 200 m long, contain total of 158.15 kt averaging 0.933 % U, viz., 1475 t U. Combined resources of McLean North and South deposits reported by Wallis et al. (1985): 0.351 Mt averaging 1.51 % U, viz., 5297 t U; at cutoff grade of 2.06 % U the resources are 4731 t U in 0.2293 Mt.
Links to other databases: SMDI; Key value: 1719
GSC U-Th File (Prasad); Key value: 10322
References:
Bennett, R. W., 2002
Geological Atlas of Saskatchewan, Version 5 (2002)
Government of Saskatchewan, CD-ROM

Bray, C. J.; Spooner, E. T. C.; Hall, C. M.; York, D.; Bills, T. M.; Krueger, H. W., 1987
Laser Probe 40Ar-39Ar and Conventional K-Ar Dating of Illites Associated with the McClean Unconformity-related Uranium Deposits
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume 24, p. 10 - 23

Cumming, G. L.; Kristic, D.; Wilson, J. A., 1987
Age of the Athabsca Group, Northern Alberta
In Program with Abstracts: Joint Annual Meeting, Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada, Edited by Anonymous, Program with Abstracts, Joint Annual Meeting, Geological Association of Canada and Mineralogical Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 12, p. 35 - 35

Dyke, W., 1978
The Mobility and Concentration of Uranium and its Decay Products in Temperate Surficial Environments
Section A, Chapter 1, Section Uranium Geochemistry, In Short Course in Uranium Deposits: Their Mineralogy and Origin, Edited by Kimberley, M. M., Short Course Handbook, Mineralogical Association of Canada, University of Toronto Press, Volume 3, 521 p., p. 57 - 100

Gandhi, S. S., 1995
An Overview of the Exploration History and Genesis of Proterozoic Uranium Deposits in the Canadian Shield
Exploration and Research for Atomic Minerals, Department of Atomic Energy, India, Volume 8, p. 1 - 48

Kornik, L. J., 1983
Vertical Magnetic Gradiometer Survey and Interpretation: NEA/IAEA Athabasca Test Area
Section Regional Studies, In Uranium Exploration in Athabasca Basin, Edited by Cameron, E. M., Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 82-11, 310 p., 8 maps, p. 147 - 150

LeCheminant, A. N.; Heaman, L. M., 1989
Mackenzie Igneous Events, Canada: Middle Proterozoic Hotspot Magmatism Associated with Ocean Opening
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Volume 96, p. 38

Macdonald, C., 1985
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Sub-Athabasca Regolith near Wollaston Lake
Chapter 2, Section Unconformity-type Deposits in Saskatchewan, In Geology of Uranium Deposits, Edited by Sibbald, T. I. I.; Petruk, W., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 32, 268 p., p. 155 - 158

Macdonald, C. C., 1980
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Precambrian Regolith in the Athabasca Basin
M. Sc. Thesis, University of Saskatchewan, 151 p..

Prasad, N., 2002
Uranium File: Canmindex
Geological Survey of Canada, Canadian Mineral Occurrence Index (Canmindex), CD-ROM

Ruzicka, V., 1993
Unconformity-type Uranium Deposits
Section Models for Sediment-hosted and Volcanic-related Deposits, In Mineral Deposit Modeling, Edited by Kirkham, R. V.; Sinclair, W. D.; Thorpe, R. I.; Duke, J. M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 40, 798 p., p. 125 - 149

Ruzicka, V., 1996
Unconformity-associated Uranium
In Geology of Canadian Mineral Deposit Types, Edited by Eckstrand, O. R.; Sinclair, W. D.; Thorpe, R. I., Geology of Canada, Decade of North American Geology (DNAG), Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Society of America, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Society of America, Volume 8, 640 p., p. 197 - 210

Saracoglu, N.; Wallis, R. H.; Brummer, J. J..; Golightly, J. P., 1983
Discovery of the McClean Uranium Deposits
Section Introductory Papers, In Uranium Exploration in Athabasca Basin, Edited by Cameron, E. M., Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 82-11, 310 p., 8 maps, p. 51 - 70

Saracoglu, N.; Wallis, R. H.; Brummer, J. J.; Golightly, J. P., 1985
The McClean Uranium Deposit, Northern Saskatchewan - Discovery
Chapter 2, Section Unconformity-type Deposits in Saskatchewan, In Geology of Uranium Deposits, Edited by Sibbald, T. I. I.; Petruk, W., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 32, 268 p., p. 85 - 100

Saskatchewan Geological Survey, 2003
Geology, and Mineral and Petroleum Resources of Saskatchewan
Miscellaneous Report, Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, Publication code 2003-7, 173 p., 4 maps.

Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, 2001
Saskatchewan Mineral Deposits Index
Government of Saskatchewan, Geological Atlas of Saskatchewan, Internet

Sobczak, L. W., 1983
Gravity Surveys in the NEA/IAEA Athabasca Test Area
Section Regional Studies, In Uranium Exploration in Athabasca Basin, Edited by Cameron, E. M., Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 82-11, 310 p., 8 maps, p. 151 - 166

Thomas, D. J.; Mathews, R. B.; Sopuck, V., 2000
Athabasca Basin (Canada) - Unconformity-type Uranium Deposits: Exploration Model, Current Mine Development and Exploration Directions
In Geology and Ore Deposits 2000: the Great Basin and Beyond; May 15 - 18, 2000 Symposium Proceedings (CD-ROM), Edited by Cluer, J. K.; Price, J. G.; Struhsacker, E. M.; Hardyman, R. F.; Morris, C. L., Symposium Proceedings, Geological Society of Nevada, Geological Society of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 647 p., p. 103 - 126

Thomas, D. J.; Jefferson, C. W.; Card, C.; Yeo, G.; Sopuck, V., 2002
Introduction: the Eastern Athabasca Basin and its Uranium Deposits
Chapter 1, In Field Trip A1: the Eastern Athabasca Basin and its Uranium Deposits, May 24-26, 2002, GAC-MAC Saskatoon 2002, Edited by Andrade, N; Breton, G.; Jefferson, C. W.; Thomas, D. J.; Tourigny, G.; Wilson, S.; Yeo, G. M., Field Guide Book, Geological Association of Canada - Mineralogical Associationof Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 102 p., p. 1 - 22

Tremblay, L. P., 1982
Geology of the Uranium Deposits Related to the Sub-Athabasca Unconformity
Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Publication code 81-20, 56 p..

Wallis, R. H.; Saracoglu, N.; Brummer, J. J.; Golightly, J. P., 1883
Geology of the McClean Uranium Deposits
Section Introductory Papers, In Uranium Exploration in Athabasca Basin, Edited by Cameron, E. M., Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 82-11, 310 p., 8 maps, p. 71 - 110

Wallis, R. H., 1970
A Geological Interpretation of Gravity and Magnetic Data, Northwest Saskatchewan
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume 7, p. 858 - 868

Wallis, R. H.; Saracoglu, N.; Brummer, J. J.; Golightly, J. P., 1985
The Geology of the McClean Uranium Deposits, Northern Saskatchewan
Chapter 2, Section Unconformity-type Deposits in Saskatchewan, In Geology of Uranium Deposits, Edited by Sibbald, T. I. I.; Petruk, W., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 32, 268 p., p. 101 - 131

Wallis, R. H.; Saracoglu, N.; Brummer, J. J.; Golightly, J. P., 1986
The Geology of the McClean Uranium Deposits, Northern Saskatchewan
Chapter 4, Section Saskatchewan Unconformity-associated and Sedimentary-hosted Deposits of Helikian Age, In Uranium Deposits of Canada, Edited by Evans, E. L., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 33, 323 p., p. 193 - 217

Wheatley, K.; Williamson, A.; Tourigny, G.; Wilson, S.; Breton, G., 2006
Geology of the McClean Lake/Sue Deposits
C, Section Athabasca Basin Uranium Deposits, In Abstracts Volume for the 2006 CIM Uranium Field Conference, September 11-12, Saskatoon; Uranium: Athabasca Deposits & Analogues, Edited by Quirt, D., Abstracts Volume, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Saskatoon Section, CIM Geological Society, 164 p., p. 1 - 16

Resource data:
Disclaimer - Reserves/Resource Data

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan) does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of Reserve and Resource information (Data) contained in this database, including whether the Data is compliant with any securities regulations or standards, and NRCan does not assume any liability with respect to any damage or loss incurred as a result of the use made of the Data.

Resource and reserve figures are historical in nature. The Data source provided with each set of figures should be cited if the Data are re-reported.

Estimate date: 1997; 0.01558 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: yes; Provisional entry?: yes; Resource category: measured resource
Grade-commodity information:U: 0.933 percent
Reference: Tourigny, G.; Wilson, S.; Breton, G.; Portella, P., 2002: Geology of the Sue C Uranium Deposit, McClean Lake Area, Northern Saskatchewan; Chapter 3, In Field Trip A1: the Eastern Athabasca Basin and its Uranium Deposits, May 24-26, 2002, GAC-MAC Saskatoon 2002, Edited by Andrade, N; Breton, G.; Jefferson, C. W.; Thomas, D. J.; Tourigny, G.; Wilson, S.; Yeo, G. M., Field Guide Book, Geological Association of Canada - Mineralogical Associationof Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 102 p., p. 35 - 51
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%

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