Geophysics Indicator of Sandstone-Type Uranium Mineralization in the Northern Ordos Basin, China: Analysis From Gravity and Magnetic Data

Abstract

Ordos Basin, one of the largest uranium resource areas in China, holds significant potential due to its favorable metallogenic geological conditions and promising potential. Early exploration efforts primarily targeted sandstone-hosted uranium deposits. Recently, the discovery of several large and super-large sandstone-type uranium deposits has revealed previously unrecognized uranium-bearing formations. However, these newly identified formations have yet to undergo systematic research on their geological conditions and metallogenesis processes, highlighting the urgent need for further investigation to advance metallogenic theory. Additionally, fault structures, which are critical to the metalization process, remain insufficiently described due to lack of comprehensive geophysical data. To bridge this gap, this study employs areal data to characterize the geophysical signatures of both traditional and newly discovered ore-bearing formations. The research delineates the distributions of primary and secondary faults, analyzes the characteristic of basement relief, and integrates basin evolution with key metallogenic factors utilizing gravity and magnetic exploration. Furthermore, the study identifies two promising metallogenic zones, offering essential insights to guide future exploration, resource development, and efficient exploitation strategies.