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


DEPNO COUNTRY LOCATION ALLNAMES COMMODITIES
40028 Canada (Saskatchewan) 58.21.52 N -- 109.31.04 W D Zone; Cluff Lake D Open Pit; Cluff Lake D Uranium Deposit; D Deposit; D Orebody U; Au; Se; Bi; Ni; Co

Database name: Uranium Deposits, Athabasca Basin
Custodial agency: Geological Survey of Canada
Compilers: Sunil S. Gandhi
Release date: 2007-03-02
   
Deposit name(s): D Zone (occurrence name); Cluff Lake D Open Pit (mine name); Cluff Lake D Uranium Deposit (occurrence name); D Deposit (occurrence name); D Orebody (occurrence name)
Political location(s): Canada; Province or state: Saskatchewan; Nearest community: La Ronge (555 km NW)
NTS map data: 074K05 (Cluff Lake)
Deposit clan (type): Unconformity-associated
Deposit (sub) types: Unconformity-associated - Proterozoic - clay-bound; deposit in an overturned block; at sub-Athabasca unconformity on paleoweathered basement; high grade, polymetallic, clay alteration; complex structure; Reference: Ey, F.; Gauthier-Lafaye, F.; Lillié, F.; Weber, F., 1985: A Uranium Unconformity Deposit: the Geological Setting of the D Orebody (Saskatchewan-Canada); In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 121 - 138
Deposit status: past producer; Size category: medium; Status comments: The deposit produced 4447174 kg U from 150505 t of ore; in addition 8090 oz Au were produced in 1987-'88 from leach tailings from phase 1 ore processing.
Geologic province: Churchill - Rae Craton
Geologic subprovince: Taltson-Thelon Magmatic Zone
Geologic district: Western Athabasca Basin / Carswell Impact Crater
Deposit object located: open pit
Commodities: U; Au; Se; Bi; Ni; Co
Mineralization styles: vein (mineralization zone); disseminated (mineralization zone); aggregates (mineralization zone); fracture fill (mineralization zone); massive (mineralization zone)
Geological ages: Middle Mesoproterozoic (host rocks)
Late Mesoproterozoic - Paleozoic (mineralization)
Tectonic setting: continental basin-intracratonic; stable; Formal name: Athabasca Basin (host rocks)
Coincident features: unconformity (paleoweathered basement overlain by a conglomerate lens, a maroon sandy pelite and thick sandstone; strike 090°-120°, dip 50° N in an overturned block); Coincident feature name: Sub-Athabasca unconformity
mylonite zone (a shear zone 4-5 m thick, subparallel to bedding, with lenses and balls of sandstone in sheared chloritic clay, which hosts the bulk of mineralization); Coincident feature name: Zone à boule
Regional tectonic structure: mylonitic zone (mylonite zone in the basement at low angle to sub-Athabasca unconformity; the related 'zone à boules' in the basal Athabasca sandstone is mineralized) Tectonic structure name: Paleoproterozoic mylonite zone
brecciation related to meteorite impact (overturning of a large block of basement with Athabasca sandstone and the Cluff Lake D deposit, attributed to the Carswell meteorite impact ca. 450 Ma) Tectonic structure name: Carswell circular structure
Host rocks: (1) metamorphic; paragneiss (aluminous garnetiferous gneiss exposed on northeast side of open pit; minor host of mineralization); Depositional setting: mesozonal; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite (upper) - granulite; Component: basement mineralization
External host rock forms:massive to layered gneiss
Host rock protoliths:pelite and semipelite (part of Paleoproterozoic basement gneiss complex uplifted as a result the Carswell meteorite impact); Host rock protolith name: Peter River Gneiss
Internal host rock structures:foliated to gneissic
Individual lithologies:garnetiferous aluminous gneiss (in the deposit area the gneiss contains mainly quartz and partially altered garnets in the hematitc and chloritic zones of lateritic paleoweathering)
Host rock stratigraphy:Peter River Metamorphic Suite

(2) sedimentary; sandstone-siltstone-conglomerate (basal unit of Athabasca Group traversed by a mylonitic zone at low angle that hosts the deposit ); Depositional setting: fluviatile; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed; Component: mineralization zone
External host rock forms:thin to thick bedded
Host rock protoliths:sandstone-siltstone-conglomerate (in the deposit area a basal coarse conglomerate lens up to 3.5 m thick, a maroon sandy pelite 7 m thick, and cross bedded mature quartz arenite above); Host rock protolith name: Fair Point Formation
Internal host rock structures:crossbedding
Individual lithologies:quartz arenite (the sandstone-pelite boundary zone is tectonized into 'zone à boules', which is up to 10 m thick and has lenses and balls of sandstone in clay matrix)
Host rock stratigraphy:Fair Point Formation
Metallogenic signatures: U-Te-Se-Bi-Ag-Au-Mo
Alteration signatures: chlorite alteration: chlorite, minor illite, dravite and apatite; What was altered: black mylonitized claystones in the ore body
chlorite alteration: mainly di-trioctahedral Mg-Chlorite; What was altered: clay phases in ore zone
matrix removal: crumbly sandstone devoid of matrix; What was altered: grey sandstone balls in 'zone à boules'
argillic alteration: illite, chlorite, hematite, hydrocarbon globules; What was altered: greenish black sandstone ballls in 'zone à boules'
illite alteration: mainly illite, 1-M polytype, in 10 % matrix; What was altered: sandstone in footwall, with 90 % quartz grains
tourmalinization: dravite, acicular; set in illitic matrix; What was altered: hanging wall of 'zone à boules'
argillic alteration: di-trioctahedral chlorite near ore; illitic outer ; What was altered: bleached basement zone at ore body
lateritic alteration: illite, hematite, secondary quartz, minor chlorite; What was altered: hematized basement zone of quartz and clay
Mineralogy: (alteration - undifferentiated / alteration halo): hematite
(alteration - undifferentiated / mineralization zone): carbonaceous material
(alteration - wall rock / alteration halo): chlorite - Mg-rich, illite, hydrocarbon buttons
(gangue / mineralization zone): carbonate
(mineralization / mineralization zone): uraninite, pitchblende, galena, clausthalite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, paraguanajuatite, gold, altaite, calaverite, freboldite, trogtalite
(mineralization / main mineralization zone): gersdorffite
(mineralization / mineralization zone): niccolite, skutterudite, jordisite, magnetite
(uraninite-Te-Se-Bi): brannerite
Radiometric ages: Object dated: Mineralogy(22); Age - Ma: 1,293; +36; -36; Dating method: Ar-Ar; Concentrate: illite; Source rock: basement, zone à boules, fault; Formal name: tectonic and hydrothermal events; Event dated: mineralization (hypogene); Interpretive comment: Ar40/Ar36, K40/Ar36 isochron from plot of 17 data points; 12 of mineralized tectonic 'zone à boules'; Reference: Clauer, N.; Ey, F.; Gauthier-Lafaye, F., 1985: K-Ar Dating of Different Rock Types from the Cluff Lake Uranium Ore Deposits (Saskatchewan-Canada); In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 47 - 53

Object dated: Mineralogy(22); Age - Ma: 1,222; +52; -52; Dating method: Ar-Ar; Concentrate: illite; Source rock: Fairpoint and Douglas Formations; Formal name: hydrothermal alteration; Event dated: barren sandstones; Interpretive comment: isochron from plot of 8 data points; 7 of Fairpoint Formation; within error range of 1293±36 Ma date; Reference: Clauer, N.; Ey, F.; Gauthier-Lafaye, F., 1985: K-Ar Dating of Different Rock Types from the Cluff Lake Uranium Ore Deposits (Saskatchewan-Canada); In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 47 - 53

Object dated: Mineralogy(1); Age - Ma: 1,150; +25; -25; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: uraninite; Source rock: uranium ore (high grade); Formal name: selenide-bearing massive pitchblende and uraninite; Event dated: mineralization (early); Interpretive comment: interpreted as age of the oldest mineralization; lower intercept at 250 ± 20 Ma shows remobilization; Reference: Bellon, H.; Devilliers, C.; Hagemann, R.; Touray, J. C., 1976: Dater les Minéralisations; Mémoir Hors Série de la Société Géologique de France, p. 265 - 268

Object dated: mineralization(5); Age - Ma: 1,050; +30; -30; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: uraninite; Source rock: uranium ore (high grade); Formal name: massive uraninite-selenides; Event dated: mineralization; Interpretive comment: age of this sample from 'zone à boules' is 100 Ma younger than age of another one reported earlier ; Reference: Gancarz, A. J., 1979: Chronology of the Cluff Lake Area Uranium Deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada (Extended Abstract); In Uranium in Pine Creek Geosyncline: Proceedings of Symposium, Sydney, 1979, Edited by Ferguson, J.; Goleby, A. B., Proceedings of International Symposium, Interantional Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Interantional Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, STI/PUB555, 760 p., p. 91 - 94
Deposit shape: cigar-shaped; Component: mineralization zone
Deposit dimensions:length: 120 metre
width: 30 metre
thickness: 9 metre
Qualified comments: (Applies to: discovery and development) An airborne scintillometer survey in 1969 and its ground follow-up located radioactive boulders. Detailed surface work and drilling over following 4 years led to the ore body hidden under glacial overburden. It is cigar-shaped, approximately 120x30x9 m in size, striking west-northwest and dipping 50° to the north. Mining by open pit started May 1979 and was completed in September 80. The last of the ore mined was processed in 1982. The deposit produced 4447 t U. In 1987, a plant was constructed that leached the tailings for gold and uranium. A total of 8090 oz Au was won. In 1988 the open pit was backfilled and the site was reclaimed. Mining activity in the other deposits of the Cluff Lake complex continued till 2002, followed by decommissioning and environmental monitoring.

(Applies to: mineralization) The mineralization was located in interbedded siltstone, sandstone and conglomerate of the Athabasca Group, at unconformity with paleoweathered Peter River gneiss in a block inverted to the south during the Carswell meteorite impact. The highest grade ore, with up to 30 % U, was in a mylonitic zone containing rotated sandstone fragments wrapped by black organic clay. Basement on the north side is relatively less deformed in a zone of lenticulation. Alteration is dark green to black zone close to unconformity, surrounded by a light green zone, and an outer hematized zone. Mg-chlorite is noted in the mineralized zone, and chlorite and illite in outer zones. Kaolinite occurs locally. Four paragenetic sequences are recognized by Ruhlmann (1985): (1) Uraninite-sulphide assemblage dated at 1150±25 Ma, comprised of fibrous and ribbony veinlets of uraninite, which are crosscut by veinlets of chalcopyrite-galena±clausthalite and of pyrite-marcasite. (2) Uraninite with Te-Se-Bi minerals dated at 1050±30 Ma, which is includes veins and disseminations. It has complex mineralogy. Patches of uraninite and uraniferous titanite±minor brannerite as disseminations enclosed by paraguanajuatite, clausthalite, altiaite, calaverite, freboldite, trogtalite, gersdorfite, nickeline, skutterudite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, jordisite, and minor native gold and bismuth and gold tellurides. Uranium was deposited as brannerite, then oxidized to uraninite and finally a reducing phase produced the Bi-Se-Te minerals. (3) Pitchblende veins and disseminations, dated at 380 Ma, consists of pitchblende, cut by galena-pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets. (4) Pitchblende-hematite assemblage, including limonite, goethite and gold, which is dated at 380 Ma and occurs as ahalo only in dark green sandstone. Hydrocarbon buttons and other carbonaceous material were found in the ore. The gold content of ore was high enough to be of economic interest.
Links to other databases: SMDI; Key value: 1150a
Geophysical-chemical signature: Signature type: Airborne Radiometrics; Response type: positive (moderate)
Signature type: Ground Radiometrics; Response type: positive (strong)
Signature type: Airborne Magnetometer; Response type: background
Signature type: Airborne EM; Response type: background
Signature type: Geochemistry Soil / Till; Response type: negative (weak)
References:
Bell, K., 1985
Geochronology of the Carswell Area, Northern Saskatchewan
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 33 - 46

Bell, K.; Cacciotti, A. D.; Schnessl, J. H., 1985
Petrography and Geochemistry of the Earl River Complex, Carswell Structure, Saskatchewan - A Possible Proterozoic Komatiitic Succession
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 71 - 80

Bennett, R. W., 2002
Geological Atlas of Saskatchewan, Version 5 (2002)
Government of Saskatchewan, CD-ROM

Clauer, N.; Ey, F.; Gauthier-Lafaye, F., 1985
K-Ar Dating of Different Rock Types from the Cluff Lake Uranium Ore Deposits (Saskatchewan-Canada)
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 47 - 53

Currie, K. L., 1969
Geological Notes on the Carswell Circular Structure, Saskatchewan (74K)
Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Publication code 67-32, 69 p..

Dunn, C. E., 1980
Lake Sediment and Water Geochemistry of the Carswell Structure
Report, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Publication code 224, 36 p..

Ey, F.; Gauthier-Lafaye, F.; Lillié, F.; Weber, F., 1985
A Uranium Unconformity Deposit: the Geological Setting of the D Orebody (Saskatchewan-Canada)
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 121 - 138

Gancarz, A. J., 1979
Chronology of the Cluff Lake Area Uranium Deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada (Extended Abstract)
In Uranium in Pine Creek Geosyncline: Proceedings of Symposium, Sydney, 1979, Edited by Ferguson, J.; Goleby, A. B., Proceedings of International Symposium, Interantional Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Interantional Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, STI/PUB555, 760 p., p. 91 - 94

Harper, C. T., 1978
Geology of the Cluff Lake Uranium Deposits
Bulletin of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Volume 71, p. 68 - 78

Harper, C. T., 1983
The Geology and Uranium Deposits of the Central Part of the Carswell Structure, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada
Ph. D. Thesis, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, U.S.A., 337 p..

Hendry, H. E.; Wheatly, K. L., 1985
The Carswell Formation, Northern Saskatchewan: Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, and Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 87 - 103

Hoeve, J.; Quirt, D.; Alonso, D., 1985
Clay Mineral stratigraphy of the Athabasca Group: Correlation Inside and Outside the Carswell Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 19 - 31

Koning, E., 2006
The Cluff Lake Deposits, West Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada
In Field Trip 3: Cluff Lake and Shea Creek Deposits; September 13-14; 2006 CIM Field Conference; Uranium: Athabasca Deposits and Analogues, Edited by Koning, E.; Robbins, J.; Carroll, J., Field Trip Guidebook, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, CIM Geogolical Society, Saskatoon Section, 48 p., p. 1 - 32

Lainé, R., 1985
Conclusion: the Carswell Uranium Deposits - An Example of Not So Unique Unconformity-Related Uranium Mineralization
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 225 - 230

Lainé, R. T., 1986
Uranium Deposits of the Carswell Structure
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. 155 - 169

Landais, P.; Dereppe, J. M., 1985
A Chemical Study of the Carbonaceous Material from the Carswell Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 165 - 174

Pacquet, A.; McNamara, S., 1985
The Study of the Basal Athabasca Succession in the D, E, L, F and S Areas of the Carswell Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 81 - 86

Pagel, M.; Wheatly, K.; Ey, F., 1985
The Origin of the Carswell Circular Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 213 - 223

Pagel, M.; Ruhlmann, F., 1985
Chemistry of Uranium Minerals in Deposits and Showings of the Carswell Structure (Saskatchewan-Canada)
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 153 - 164

Pagel, M.; Svab, M., 1985
Petrographic and Geochemical Variations within the Carswell Structure Metamorphic Core and their Implications with Repsect to Uranium Mineralization
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 55 - 70

Powell, B.; Koning, E.; Lainé, R., 1985
Gephysical Mapping of Gneiss Domes in the Carswell Structure and their Relationship to Uranium Mineralization
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 201 - 212

Powell, B., 1985
Case Histories of the Radon Tube Sampler in the Carswell Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 189 - 199

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

Ramaekers, P., 1981
Hudsonian and Helikian Basins of the Athabasca Region, Northern Saskatchewan
In Proterozoic Basins of Canada, Edited by Campbell, F. H. A., Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 81-10, 444 p., p. 219 - 233

Ramaekers, P.; Yeo, G. M.; Jefferson, C. W., 2001
Preliminary Overview of Regional Stratigraphy in the late Paleoproterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
In Summary of Investigations 2001, Volume 2, Saskatchewan Geological Survey; EXTEC IV Athabasca Uranium Multidisciplinary Study, Edited by Anonymous, Miscellaneous Reports, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Saskatchewan Department of Energy and Mines, 2001- 4.2b, 1 disks, p. 240 - 251

Ruhlmann, F., 1985
Mineralogy and Metallogeny of Uraniferous Occurrences in the Carswell Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 105 - 120

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

Tona, F.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., 1985
Geology and Mineralization in the Carswell Structure - A General Approach
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 1 - 18

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..

Wilson, J. S., 1985
Geochemistry and Glacial Geology - Application to Exploration in the Carswell Structure
In The Carswell Structure Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan, Edited by Lainé, R.; Alonso, D.; Svab, M., Special Paper, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Association of Canada, 29, 230 p., p. 175 - 188

Production data: Report period: from 1980-05-31 until 1981-09; 150,505 metric ton ore; Provisional entry?: yes; Yearly or summary?: S
Grade-commodity information:U: 2.95 percent
weight-commodity information:U: 4,447,174 kilogram
Au: 8,090 ounce (avdp)
Reference: Koning, E., 2006: The Cluff Lake Deposits, West Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada; In Field Trip 3: Cluff Lake and Shea Creek Deposits; September 13-14; 2006 CIM Field Conference; Uranium: Athabasca Deposits and Analogues, Edited by Koning, E.; Robbins, J.; Carroll, J., Field Trip Guidebook, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, CIM Geogolical Society, Saskatoon Section, 48 p., p. 1 - 32
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 0.0%
Associated mine(s): Cluff Lake D Zone Open Pit (40013)
Associated group(s): Cluff Lake deposits (40002)

Generated 2007-03-02 2:35:59 PM with GQuery -- 3.7 ADO (3.19/3.20/3.21 -- 2006-02-24)
GlobalDB System, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada