Synchronous egress and ingress fluid flow related to compressional reactivation of basement faults: the Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, southeastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

• Published in: Mineralium deposita 2018-02, Vol.53 (2), p.277-292
• Main Authors: Li, Zenghua, Chi, Guoxiang, Bethune, Kathryn M., Eldursi, Khalifa, Thomas, David, Quirt, David, Ledru, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation; Basement rock; Computational fluid dynamics; Deformation; Deformation effects; Deposits; Displacement; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Egress; Fault zones; Faults; Flow pattern; Fluid flow; Fluvial deposits; Geological faults; Geology; Localization; Mathematical models; Mineral Resources; Mineralization; Mineralogy; Modelling; Numerical prediction; Rivers; Temperature effects; Two dimensional models; Unconformity; Uranium
• ISSN: 0026-4598; 1432-1866
• DOI: 10.1007/s00126-017-0737-5

Previous studies on unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin (Canada) suggest that egress flow and ingress flow can develop along single fault systems at different stages of compressional deformation. This research aims to examine whether or not both ingress and egress flow can develop at the same time within an area under a common compressional stress field, as suggested by the reverse displacement of the unconformity surface by the basement faults. The study considers the Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits in the Wheeler River area in the southeastern part of the Athabasca Basin. Two-dimensional numerical modeling of fluid flow, coupled with compressional deformation and thermal effects, was carried out to examine the fluid flow pattern. The results show that local variations in the basement geology under a common compressional stress field can result in both egress and ingress flow at the same time. The fault zone at Phoenix underwent a relatively low degree of deformation, as reflected by minor reverse displacement of the unconformity, and egress flow developed, whereas the fault zone at Gryphon experienced a relatively high degree of deformation, as demonstrated by significant reverse displacement of the unconformity, and ingress flow was dominant. The correlation between strain development and location of uranium mineralization, as exemplified by Gryphon and Phoenix uranium deposits, suggests that the localization of dilation predicted by numerical modeling may represent favourable sites for uranium mineralization in the Athabasca Basin.