Overview
This one day trip is planned to review and visit diverse uranium deposit types found in sedimentary, metamorphic and granitic host rocks along the Colorado Front Range. The occurrences visited will include sandstone matrix roll front, polymetallic vein, and granitic replacement "episyenite' uranium deposit types. These range in size and mining approach from underground to in-situ leach. The field visits will be surface only - no underground gear needed. One site may require a round trip hike of about 2 miles over flat terrain. A scintillometer is suggested but not necessary.
General Geology
The Rocky Mountain Front Range of Colorado is yolked to the adjacent piedmont and Great Plains sedimentary units by Laramide tectonic mountain building. This left the crystalline metamorphic and granitic formations steeply overthrusting the sedimentary formations. Certain locations just west of the overthrust retain overlying, unconformable sedimentary formations with intermediate easterly dip such as at the Mann deposit. Farther east the younger sedimentary formations have lower easterly dips such as at the Grover-Nunn deposits. The sedimentary units underwent hydrologic gradients with local oxidizing groundwater to mobilize, transport and finally deposit uranium mineralization at reducing horizons. The Laramide overthrusting and reactivation of Precambrian fault structures also gave rise to lower order fault structures. These became hosts to some of the vein deposits just west of the overthrust boundary such as the Schwartzwalder and Mena deposits. The granitic replacement episyenite occurrence lies 20 miles more westerly and may be related to late stage granitic intrusive events such as at the Robinson deposit.
Logistics
The field trip will depart a west Denver metro site to be determined on Thursday morning, returning Thursday evening. Field trip organizers will communicate suggested lodging on Wednesday and Thursday nights for out of town participants. Lunch, snacks, beverages, and transportation on the trip are provided.
Fees
- Early Registration:
Members ($225); Nonmembers ($260); Students ($100) - Late Registration:
Members ($260); Nonmembers ($300); Students ($120)
