Wyoming Could Play A Key Role In U.S. Nuclear Future
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Wyoming's Pivotal Role in the U.S. Nuclear Future
Will Wyoming's Uranium Province Rival Canada's Athabasca or Australia's Northern Territories?
Ray E. Harris, a prominent geologist with the Wyoming Geological Survey since 1982, jokingly described geology as "90 percent terminology and 10 percent science." Prior to his passing on March 7th, we had the opportunity to speak with him about Wyoming's uranium potential. His office in Laramie was a hub for anyone interested in uranium mining.
Harris extensively studied global uranium deposits, asserting that Wyoming could host deposits comparable to those in Canada's Athabasca Basin and Northern Australia. In a 1986 Geological Survey of Wyoming publication, he hypothesized that Wyoming's geological settings suggested the potential for significant uranium deposits. He noted that in 1982, U.S. uranium reserves were estimated at 203,000 tons, with Wyoming contributing 32,700 tons. His bold claims sparked debate within the geological community.
Supporting Harris's theory, a 1981 article by E.S. Cheney in American Scientist highlighted that a major deposit could contain over 100 million pounds of recoverable U3O8. William Boberg also suggested in a 1981 article that Wyoming's several uranium districts collectively formed a significant uranium province.
In 1996, Warren Finch in a U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin outlined how major uranium provinces are defined by the distribution of substantial uranium clusters. Harris identified two potential high-grade deposits in the U.S., one in Virginia and another in Fremont County, Wyoming. While Virginia's deposits face legislative challenges, Wyoming remains mining-friendly, encouraging uranium development.
Wyoming's Geological Potential
Wyoming is known for its roll-front uranium deposits, making it a central player in in-situ leach (ISL) mining. However, Harris speculated on a larger, Athabasca-like source in the state, based on his extensive research and publications from the 1980s and 1990s. He suggested that Fremont County's Copper Mountain area could host a significant deposit due to its geological characteristics.
The origins of Wyoming's uranium deposits are debated. Boberg and Finch have different theories, with Boberg emphasizing volcanic ash from Eocene eruptions as a key contributor, while Harris leaned towards Precambrian granite as a uranium source. Boberg's hypothesis suggests a unique ore-forming liquid produced from volcanic ash and granite, forming large uranium deposits over thousands of years.
Harris also highlighted tabular redox uranium occurrences, notably in the Cretaceous Inyan Kara Group in the Black Hills. These differ from roll-front deposits, as they follow a more irregular, tabular form parallel to bedding.
In conclusion, Harris believed Wyoming held vast untapped potential for significant uranium deposits. He encouraged exploration investments to uncover "elephant" deposits, beyond the routine ISL extraction. With Wyoming's favorable mining environment, its uranium could play a crucial role in fueling U.S. nuclear reactors as more companies initiate operations in the state.
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