Ore and Energy Resource Geology最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating the hydrocarbon potential of source rocks in Northern Borneo, Southeast Asia: a review of organic geochemical and petrological characteristics","authors":"Ayodele O. Falade ,&nbsp;Yousif M. Makeen ,&nbsp;Habeeb A. Ayinla ,&nbsp;Abayomi A. Edema","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study provides a comprehensive review of hydrocarbon source rocks in Northern Borneo by integrating findings from previous organic geochemical and petrological studies across the Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei basins. Unlike earlier basin-specific research, this work offers a broader regional perspective, evaluating sixteen (16) formations ranging from Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene. The majority of the samples exhibit good to excellent organic richness (mean total organic carbon (TOC) content exceeding 1 wt%, with promising S₂ and S₂/S₃ ratios). The hydrogen index (HI) values (7.1 and 401.8 mg HC/g TOC) and HI vs. Oxygen Index (OI) plots indicate that the organic matter is primarily composed of Type II/III, Type III and Type IV kerogen. Remarkably, coal-related samples consistently show excellent organic richness, predominantly plotting within the Type II/III kerogen area, indicating a strong potential for mixed oil and gas generation. Other lithologies primarily contain gas-prone Type III kerogen, while Type IV is largely inert. The thermal maturity assessments, based on T_max (324–570 °C) and production index (PI) (0.00–0.37), indicate a wide range from immature to overmature source rocks. Vitrinite reflectance (VR_o) measurements (0.15–3.10 %) and T_max vs VR_o plots further confirm these maturity trends. The organic petrological analysis reveals that the vitrinite macerals dominate the liptinite and inertinite across all the formations, with coal-related source rocks exhibiting the highest maceral concentrations, reinforcing their generative capacity. Specifically, the coal-rich Nyalau, Tanjong, Liang, Batu Arang, Balingian, and Bergih formations stand out as highly promising, presenting substantial economic significance for unconventional plays such as coalbed methane (CBM). This review highlights the significant hydrocarbon potential across Northern Borneo, while also emphasizing the need for further assessment of the Brunei Basin to refine the current understanding of source rock distribution and quality within the regional petroleum system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144907564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Late Archean Rare Metal (Nb-Ta-Li-Be) bearing Granitic Pegmatite (LCT) in Nagamangala Schist Belt, Dharwar Craton, India: Insights from Uraninite and Zircon mineral chemistry","authors":"Chanchal Sarbajna ,&nbsp;Sudhiranjan Swain ,&nbsp;V.R. Akhila ,&nbsp;K.L. Mundra ,&nbsp;Dheeraj Pande","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100100","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The Late Archean rare metal (Nb-Ta-Li-Be) bearing granitic pegmatites of the Nagamangala Schist Belt, Dharwar Craton, India, represent an important geological setting for understanding the mineralogical and geochemical evolution of Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites. This study provides detailed insights into the mineral chemistry of uraninite and zircon, using Back Scattered Electron (BSE) imaging and quantitative Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA), to characterize their composition, formation history, and evolutionary trends. Subsurface samples of pegmatites from the Marlagalla area reveal the presence of euhedral to anhedral Th-rich uraninite along with unusually high hafnium (Hf) content in the associated zircon-an aspect reported first time from these pegmatites. Uraninite grains are found partially or fully enclosed by phases such as garnet, microlite [(Ca,Na)&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Ta&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt;(O,OH,F)], tapiolite [(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O], zircon and apatite in the studied samples. Uraninite grains exhibit significant compositional variations, with UO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; ranging from 64.74 to 70.92 wt %, high ThO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations (up to 10.85 wt %), and PbO content between 23.01 and 25.37 wt %. The rare earth element (REE) content is notably low (RE&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;: 0.15–0.89 wt %), and SiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; is nearly absent (&lt;0.01 to 0.29 wt %). Chemical formula calculations indicate a U&lt;sup&gt;4+&lt;/sup&gt; range of 0.227–0.345 and U&lt;sup&gt;6+&lt;/sup&gt; between 0.301–0.340, suggesting significant auto-oxidation-a hallmark of ancient uraninites. Furthermore, EPMA-based U-Th-Pb chemical age dating of the uraninite suggests a minimum formation age of approximately 2335 ± 54 Ma, making it the oldest reported uraninite in pegmatite from Indian subcontinent.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The associated zircon grains display exceptionally high HfO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; content (9.94–20.49 %), coupled with ZrO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; (45.56–58.89 %) and SiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; (27.59–30.56 %), categorizing them as hafnian zircons. Their elevated radioactive element content and close association with uranothorite, alongside the high Th content in uraninite, indicate progressive magmatic fractionation. This is further supported by geochemical trends such as the Zr/Hf vs. Hf in zircon and UO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;/ThO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; vs. ThO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; in uraninite. The U&lt;sup&gt;6+&lt;/sup&gt;/U&lt;sup&gt;4+&lt;/sup&gt; ratio close to unity suggests auto-oxidation as the dominant mechanism, reinforced by the high PbO content in these uraninites.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;These findings provide crucial insights into the Late Archean Algoman orogeny, a global event marked by extensive granitic plutonism. The Marlagalla pegmatites share key mineralogical and geochemical similarities with other Algoman-related pegmatites, suggesting a possible genetic link. Furthermore, the evolved nature of these pegmatites, in relation to the adjacent Allapatna granite, underscores their complex magmatic history and potential economic significance","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143911569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of heavy metal accumulation and pollution in soils from the vanadium–titanium magnetite mining region in Panzhihua, China","authors":"Tingting Fu ,&nbsp;Hao Song ,&nbsp;Bin Yang ,&nbsp;Rui Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focuses on the mining area of vanadium-titanium magnetite in Panzhihua, China, and aims to comprehensively assess the enrichment and pollution levels of heavy metals (Cd, Ti, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Hg, Co, Mn, Ni, V, and Cr) in the soil of the region. Soil samples were collected from the surface layer (0–5 cm depth) using a manual stainless steel soil sampler, and the samples were subjected to complete digestion to analyze the heavy metal content. The results revealed that the average concentration of heavy metals in the soil followed the order of Ti &gt; Mn &gt; V &gt; Zn &gt; Cr &gt; Cu, among others. A quantitative assessment of heavy metal pollution was conducted using various indices, including enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geoaccumulation index<span> (Igeo), and degree of contamination (Cd) along with modified degree of contamination (mCd). The study found that Ti and Cd exhibited high pollution loads, while the Igeo values for Pb, As, Hg, Zn, and Cr indicated that their accumulation is primarily attributed to natural processes. Additionally, correlation analysis revealed potential relationships among heavy metals and their possible sources; for instance, the enrichment of Ti and V is associated with natural minerals, while Mn, Ni, and Cu may be linked to mining and smelting activities. This research not only provides detailed data on heavy metal pollution in the Panzhihua region but also offers significant insights for understanding environmental health and ecological risks in the area.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100098"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of CO₂ treatment on fracture development and mineralogical composition in organic-rich and organic-lean unconventional reservoirs","authors":"Israa S. Abu-Mahfouz ,&nbsp;Ahmed Al-Yaseri","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100111","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100111","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fracturing associated with carbon dioxide (CO₂) treatment in unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs presents a huge potential for CO₂ geological sequestration in carbonate mudrock and shale reservoirs and the use of CO₂ as a working fluid for oil recovery. This study aims to examine the impact of CO₂ treatment on fracture growth and propagation in unconventional carbonate reservoirs. Experimental studies were conducted on both organic-rich (Jordanian) and organic-lean (Wolf Camp) mudrock samples and a careful examination of fracture initiation and propagation induced by CO₂ treatment was examined. After an extensive 30-day treatment with carbonate brine (i.e., a mixture of brine and CO₂) under 75 °C temperature and 4158 psi pressure, mineralogical and geochemical results revealed an increase in the carbonate mineral content (calcite) in the organic-rich sample, along with a decline in total organic carbon content from after CO₂/carbonate brine treatment. The organic-lean sample, inversely, showed negligible change in the calcite content and almost no change in the total inorganic carbon. Microscopic investigations showed that the organic-rich sample exhibited a remarkable development of a new set of horizontal (bedding-parallel) microfractures, while the organic-lean sample did not display any significant fracture development. In addition, the surface roughness of the organic-rich sample increased significantly (from 20 to 37 uµ on average), after carbonate brine treatment, while the organic-lean sample showed a slight increase from 18 to 19 uµ. The outcomes of this study will be used to develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms driving the fracture growth and propagation in organic-rich unconventional reservoirs induced by CO₂ treatment, which can inform strategies to enhance oil/gas recovery. They will also aid in defining the potential benefits of CO₂-induced fracturing for underground CO₂ storage, such as improving the permeability and porosity of unconventional rock formations, and for oil recovery, such as enhancing the recovery factor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144858282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Petrography and sulfur isotope geochemistry of middle Miocene evaporites on the active continental margin, Ras Banas Peninsula, Red Sea coast, Egypt","authors":"Kamal Abou Elmagd ,&nbsp;Ryo Matsumoto ,&nbsp;Mohamed Abioui ,&nbsp;Muhammad Hazem","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study aims to investigate the paleoenvironmental conditions and relative sea-level change during the middle Miocene evaporite deposition at the Ras Banas Peninsula, Red Sea Coast, Egypt. The tectono-sedimentological evolution of the evaporite suite may provide a geological relationship with the surrounding structures of the peninsula. To address this objective, the study examines the petrology and sulfur isotope geochemistry of the middle Miocene sulfate evaporites (approximately 100 meters in thickness) of the Abu Dabbab Formation at the Ras Banas Peninsula, located along the Red Sea continental margin. The Abu Dabbab Formation can be subdivided into three distinct sedimentary facies, from base to top: (1) lower supratidal gypsiferous claystone, (2) middle lagoonal sandy and clayey gypsum, and (3) upper subaqueous marine laminated gypsum. Petrographic analysis reveals the presence of both primary and secondary evaporite facies, with the mineralogical composition dominated by gypsum, alongside minor amounts of anhydrite and dolomite. Geochemical data indicate that the average sulfur isotopic compositions (δ³⁴S) for the lower, middle, and upper facies are 23.62⁰/₀₀, 23.30⁰/₀₀, and 23.83 ⁰/₀₀ VCDT, respectively. These findings suggest that the Abu Dabbab evaporites were deposited in a tectonically active basin that received inputs of meteoric water and fine clastics, influenced by seasonal shifts between arid and wet conditions. The occurrence of stratabound mineralization and isotopically light sulfur suggests that algal biological activity played a role in reducing sulfate to iron sulfide and native sulfur. The rapid lateral and vertical facies changes observed in this active continental margin are primarily attributed to tectonic processes and the associated paleoenvironmental dynamics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100119"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age, depositional environment, and hydrocarbon potential of the Bonalea strata in the northern Douala basin, SW Cameroon: An integrated organic and mineralogical approach","authors":"André Mbabi Bitchong ,&nbsp;Glwadys Ngo Mandeng ,&nbsp;Serge P. Koah Na Lebogo ,&nbsp;Serge Alberto Bitjong ,&nbsp;Soukaina Obad ,&nbsp;Cecile Olive Mbesse ,&nbsp;Simon Ngos III ,&nbsp;Thierry Adatte","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2024.100080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2024.100080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study uses the lithofacies analysis, palynology and palynofacies, as well as bulk organic geochemical by Rock-Eval analysis, and mineralogical analysis to date and assess the hydrocarbon potential, maturity, and depositional environment characteristics of the strata from the Bonalea area in the northern part of the Douala sub-basin. The sediments are palynomorph-poor silts/sandstones, with key palynomorph species (e.g., <em>Longapertites</em> sp., <em>Cyathidites</em> sp., <em>Laevigatosporites</em> sp., <em>Echitriporites trianguliformis, Retitriporites</em> sp., <em>Monocolpopollenites</em> sp. and <em>Psilatriletes</em> sp.) indicative of the Paleocene-Eocene N'kapa Formation. These materials exhibit weak to moderate compaction and are distinguished by the predominance of detrital minerals such as quartz, kaolinite, smectite, and illite, as well as the initial phase of chloritization of illite and weak thermal alteration index (TAI) values, indicating the thermal immaturity of the deposits. The present-day high total organic carbon (TOC) contents (3.79–13.20 %), associated with high hydrogen index (HI: 594–796 mg HC/g TOC), S1 (1.91–24.23 mg HC/g rock) and production index (PI: 0.07–0.24) values, as well as low Tmax values and the existence of significant S1 peaks and asymmetric S2 peaks, reveal natural contamination of these deposits by migrated oils. These oils impregnate the rocks, resulting in stains with jellified aspect that may be misinterpreted as amorphous organic matter (AOM), leading to incorrect interpretations. Based on the combination of silty-sandy characters of the deposits, relative abundance of phytoclasts and presence of <em>Botryococcus braunii</em>, the paleodepositional environment appears to be a proximal continental shelf environment in which deposition would have occurred following the channel-bank collapse under well-oxygenated conditions, with slumped bank materials transitioning from landslip masses to sediment-gravity flows. Therefore, the Bonalea deposits, which are affected by the movement of oils from external sources and have the potential to be a full reservoir, could be a promising option for future petroleum exploration in the Douala sub-basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100080"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coupling reservoir depletion and geomechanics to assess risks during post-blowout well capping: Case study on Macondo","authors":"Andreas Michael,&nbsp;Abdelhakim Khouissat","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2024.100068","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2024.100068","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reservoir depletion can be consequential to wellbore integrity after a blowout, especially offshore. A prolonged post-blowout discharge extends reservoir depletion. “Underground blowouts” (tensile-fracture initiations) occurring after well capping, or shear-driven slow slippage of naturally-occurring pre-existing faults (PEFs) in the near-well vicinity, can compromise post-blowout wellbore integrity. Upward propagation of the initiated tensile fractures may trigger seafloor broaching by reservoir hydrocarbons.</div><div>This study examines reservoir depletion analytically, evaluating associated geomechanical implications on the <em>in-situ</em> reservoir conditions and assessing the likelihood of tensile-fracture initiation (oriented longitudinally or transversely-to-the-wellbore) during post-blowout-well-capping operations, in addition to shear-driven slow slippage along PEFs in the near-well vicinity. A set of calculational procedures and thinking sequences are presented, necessary for encompassing the primary effects of post-blowout reservoir depletion on the <em>in-situ</em> stress state and the limits of tensile and shear failures that could aid in the appropriate blowout-contingency decision-making.</div><div>Our novel, physics-based scheme (analytical-coupling approach) is applied to parameters from the MC 252–1 “Macondo Well” blowout from April 20, 2010 and the targeted M56 oil reservoir in deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The reservoir rock is modeled as a porous-permeable medium, considering fluid infiltration to-and-from the pressurized wellbore. The likelihood of an underground blowout correlates with the shut-in wellbore pressure buildup, after successful well capping.</div><div>Elevated reservoir depletion via higher post-blowout-discharge flowrates and longer post-blowout-discharge periods (in terms of time duration) are shown to reduce the shut-in wellbore pressure buildup against time following well capping. The “critical discharge flowrate,” an established predictive indicator for underground blowouts following shut-in of an installed subsea-capping stack (SCS) is employed, using data from the post-blowout-discharge period, suggesting underground blowouts to be highly-unlikely for the set of parameters assessed. Finally, the Mohr-Coulomb criterion indicates that shear-driven slow slippage along PEFs in the near-well vicinity is also unlikely, considering the Macondo Well's bottomhole-wellbore-pressure history in the aftermath of the blowout.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100068"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143834018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization and identification of key process parameters for in-situ leaching of uranium in the Barun uranium deposit, China","authors":"Peng Qiao ,&nbsp;Yuanqing Fan ,&nbsp;Shengqing Xiong ,&nbsp;Liangquan Ge ,&nbsp;Yixuan Yao ,&nbsp;Ruyi Wang ,&nbsp;Hao Song ,&nbsp;Huijie Yu ,&nbsp;Xiaoping Ren ,&nbsp;Zengjie Gui","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ascertaining the optimal process parameters for in-situ leaching (ISL) of uranium is crucial for maximizing both uranium leaching rates and enhancing the production efficiency of uranium mining endeavors. Nevertheless, limited research has been conducted on the chemical composition of uranium ore within the Barun uranium deposit, with a notable absence of indoor leaching experiments and in-depth discussions pertaining to the ISL technology for uranium and the identification of optimal leaching parameters tailored to this specific deposit. Therefore, the present study focuses on the analysis of uranium ore from the Barun uranium deposit, utilizing X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and elemental chemical analysis. Furthermore, a series of experiments were conducted, encompassing acid consumption tests, acid concentration determination, and various oxidant leaching tests. The findings reveal that: (1) The uranium ore within the deposit is abundant in minerals that exhibit resistance to acid dissolution, notably quartz and silicates (with SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents reaching as high as 77.62 % and 15.65 %), whereas the content of minerals readily soluble under acidic conditions, such as carbonates, iron minerals, and sulfides, is relatively low (with the proportions of total carbon, total iron, and sulfur content being as low as 0.128 %, 0.881 %, and 0.26 %, respectively). The mineralogical attributes of this deposit suggest its suitability for the application of acid ISL. (2) During the acid leaching process of uranium ore, an optimal H₂SO₄ concentration of 5 g/L was observed to yield a superior uranium leaching rate of 78.76 %, accompanied by a reduced sulfuric acid consumption of 115.8 tons per ton of uranium extracted. Notably, the pH of the leaching solution remained largely unaffected by the oxidant utilized. Under the influence of 1.5 g/L of 30 % H₂O₂, the uranium leaching rate achieved its maximum value of 90.27 %, significantly outperforming other oxidant conditions. (3) The acid leaching methodology is a viable option for the ISL of uranium from the Barun deposit. It is advisable to employ a concentration of 5 g/L H₂SO₄ while maintaining the pH of the leaching solution below 2 for optimal performance. In response to the anticipated decrease in uranium concentration during the intermediate and later stages of the leaching process, the strategic addition of 1.5 g/L of 30 % H₂O₂ is recommended to facilitate the oxidative dissolution of tetravalent uranium minerals, thereby enhancing the overall leaching efficiency. This study offers significant insights and valuable references for future research on ISL of uranium in the Barun uranium deposit, as well as in other sandstone-hosted uranium deposits that possess comparable mineralogical characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100085"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143092040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geochemical assessment and transfer of potential effects of metallic trace elements around abandoned mining sites in Kettara region (Morocco)","authors":"Lahcen Zouhri ,&nbsp;Khalid El Amari ,&nbsp;Mohamed Hibti ,&nbsp;Abdelfattah Benkaddour ,&nbsp;Adel Zghibi","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2024.100076","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2024.100076","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The degradation of environmental quality due to pollution is a pressing concern worldwide, particularly in areas that have been abandoned after mining activities. One significant aspect of this degradation is the contamination of soil and water resources by Metallic Trace Elements (MTE). These elements, originating from mining operations, pose serious environmental and human health risks, necessitating urgent attention and remediation efforts. Understanding the characteristics and extent of MTE contamination in abandoned mining areas is crucial for effective environmental management and sustainable development. In this context, this study aims to investigate the patterns, distribution, and impacts of MTE contamination in soil and water resources within Kettara abandoned mining areas (Morocco), offering insights into potential mitigation strategies and policy interventions to address this critical environmental issue. Stream and groundwater samples were collected in the Kettara region where the abandoned tailings constitute with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), the principal source of this contamination. Stream samples were collected in 2018 at fourteen points near sixteen hydrogeological wells and situated at different distance from the pollution source.</div><div>This study addresses an environmental concern, focusing on the dispersion of MTE such as Arsenic, Zinc, and Nickel in both streams and groundwater. Through geochemical analysis, it is revealed that Arsenic is particularly prevalent, with higher concentrations detected in streams, especially those proximate to mining waste sites. The main sampling water near the abandoned mine shows several anomalies (As, Ni and Zn). The higher As concentration in the stream samples E1 and E2 with 179.55 and 96.63 ppm and near the mine wastes. The concentration of As is also higer in the water samples especially in the hydrogeological well P21 and P2 with 9.665 and 7.798 ppm.</div><div>The presence of MTE in groundwater is linked to various factors, including the direction of flow (vertical or lateral) from soil to groundwater and the hydraulic conditions (presence of the drainage axis that is materialized by the convergence of the groundwater flow from the upstream to the downstream, generally from the hydrogeological wells P1 to P23). The hydraulic relationship between streams and groundwater, hydrogeological properties such as aquifer porpermeability (vertical scale 2.5 × 10^–14 to 1.31 × 10^–12 m/s and horizontal scale 9 × 10^–14 to 0.37 × 10^–9 m/s) and transmissivity (about 10⁻² m²/s), and the configuration of the piezometric geometry (including the presence of drainage axes and divisional boundaries within the Ketarra groundwater) are factors that contribute to the mobility and distribution of MTE within the water resources of the Kettara basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100076"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143092025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated geophysical and geological prospecting for magnetite in the ilmenite-bearing gabbroic rock of Purulia, West Bengal, India","authors":"Riya Mondal ,&nbsp;Tapas Acharya ,&nbsp;Arijit Ray ,&nbsp;Tamal Sur ,&nbsp;Prarabdh Tiwari ,&nbsp;Anand Singh ,&nbsp;Arkoprovo Biswas","doi":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100088","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oreoa.2025.100088","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mineral exploration in regions of limited bedrock exposure depends on the excellence of the predictive model yielded from geophysical and geological studies. In this aspect, the accuracy of the positions, shapes, and size of the concealed ore bodies is important for later resource evaluation. Commonly used magnetic susceptibility surveys to explore buried magnetite deposits often fail to resolve the boundary between magnetite ore, and host rocks when the host rock contains ilmenite, and/or magnetite as an accessory mineral. Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI), and Self-Potential (SP), are better substitutes to resolve the issue and delineate the positions and shapes of the ore bodies in gabbroic host-rock in Purulia district, West Bengal, India. The concealed magnetite ore body showed a sharp decrease in electrical resistivity value in the 2D ERI study, and a significant negative SP value was concurrent with the inferred concealed magnetite bodies, compared to the gabbroic host rock. Hence, the combined result of 2D ERI and SP indicate analogous negative anomalies to the inferred magnetite ore bodies, verified by the surface geological information and mineralogical studies. Such geophysical anomalies could be combined with field data to reconstruct magnetite ore body modeling, providing a practical approach to prospect buried magnetite ore bodies in basic host rocks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100993,"journal":{"name":"Ore and Energy Resource Geology","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100088"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143464572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}