Map of Uranium resource regions of the United States. Source: USGS, August 2022
To assure adequate uranium to supply electricity from nuclear power, the US Geological Survey is working to better understand the genetic controls, distribution, and quantities of domestic uranium. Because of the heavy reliance on imported uranium, scientists also lead international groups of uranium resource experts to monitor world uranium supply. This research benefits the mining industry, utilities, regulators, land owners, land managers, and supports the development of a carbon-free energy future for the United States.
RESEARCH AND UNDISCOVERED RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS
Targeted scientific research and geospatial assessments are the foundation for the successful exploration and development of uranium resources. The USGS uranium minerals systems project has completed assessments of two uranium regions, the Texas Coastal Plain and Southern High Plains (TX, NM, OK). In addition, the project has developed genetic deposit models for the southeastern US and Colorado Plateau that will aid in the location of additional domestic resources. These are published as peer reviewed articles, fact sheets and data releases, and presented to scientific and wider non-scientific audiences.
Genetic Deposit Models
Colorado Plateau Sandstone-hosted Uranium and Vanadium Deposit Model
The Colorado Plateau physiographic region is the largest uranium province in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. Uranium, often accompanied by vanadium, has been mined from the Plateau since the 1940’s, and the only actively operating domestic uranium mill is in this region. Since 2020 USGS has been compiling data, sampling known deposits, and analyzing samples throughout the Plateau. Last comprehensively studied in the 1980’s, this work has resulted in a new genetic deposit model that will benefit the identification of prospective regions.
Southeastern U.S. Metasomatite Uranium Deposit Model
Coles Hill is the largest unmined uranium deposit in the United States. Discovered in 1978, the deposit was enigmatic and complex, defying classification. USGS led a team of researchers that included expertise from the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Uranium as well as USGS to develop the first comprehensive genetic model for Coles Hill, published in 2022. The new understandings developed by this model can be applied to future regional undiscovered resource assessments of metasomatite-type deposits in the southeastern US.
Undiscovered Uranium Resource Assessments
Southern High Plains (TX, NM, OK) Calcrete-type Deposit Model and Assessment
In 2016 USGS geologists located outcropping calcrete-hosted uranium mineralization in the Texas Panhandle. Ensuing studies of the mineralogy of the deposits, strontium and uranium isotopes, and groundwater modelling led to the development of the first genetic deposit model for calcrete-hosted uranium deposit in the US. This model was used to identify prospective tracts and was the basis of an assessment that was completed in 2017.
Texas Coastal Plain Sandstone-type Deposit Model and Assessment
Using GIS technology, multiple sources of data were combined to develop a comprehensive regional genetic model for sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the Texas Coastal Plain region. The method of integrating data at a regional scale and at different intervals of geologic time, led to the identification of tracts that were prospective for additional uranium resources and an assessment completed in 2015.
![Uranium resource regions of the United States](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/media/images/U_Regions%20Annotated.jpg?itok=BoMTpZMu)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, August 2022
Links for additional information about uranium resources and production
US Energy Information Administration (https://www.eia.gov/nuclear/). Analysis and data describing the US domestic uranium and nuclear fuels industry.
USGS Mineral Resources on-line spatial data (https://mrdata.usgs.gov). Interactive maps and downloadable data for regional and global geology, geochemistry, and mineral resources including uranium.
National Geochemical Database (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/). Downloadable hydrogeochemical and stream sediment data from the Department of Energy's National Uranium Resource Evaluation program, reformatted and now administered by the USGS.
US Environmental Protection Agency Uranium Mines and Mills Location Database (https://www.epa.gov/radiation/uranium-mines-and-mills-location-database-0) A compilation of uranium mine locations compiled by the EPA.
External Links
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – Nuclear Energy Agency (https://www.oecd-nea.org/). Joint biennial publication with IAEA that summarizes world uranium resources, production, and demand.
International Atomic Energy Agency (www.iaea.org). Information about the nuclear fuel cycle.
World Nuclear Association (https://www.world-nuclear.org). Summary of world uranium production and demand and other data related to the generation of nuclear power.
![USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/half_width/public/media/images/Hall_BleachedPermianSS_CoPlateau.jpg?itok=_hJXvqr0)
Source/Usage: Photo by USGS geologist Bradley Van Gosen, Public Domain, Photo taken on 10/1/2021
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Remote Sensing Techniques for Characterizing Energy Resources in Waste
Microanalysis of samples collected from sandstone-hosted uranium and vanadium deposits in the Colorado Plateau: Utah, New Mexico and Colorado, USA
Microanalysis of samples collected from the Sulfur Springs Draw calcrete-type uranium deposit in the Southern High Plains, Texas, USA
Whole rock geochemistry and comparative leachability of variably bleached and red sandstones of the Permian Cutler Formation, Mesa County, Colorado
U-Pb age determinations of uraninite by electron microprobe analyses of ore samples from two solution-collapse breccia pipe uranium deposits, Grand Canyon region, northwest Arizona, USA
Mineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of uranium ores from the Hack II and Pigeon deposits, solution-collapse breccia pipes, Grand Canyon region, Mohave and Coconino Counties, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona
Location, description, and whole rock geochemistry of rocks from the Coles Hill uranium deposit and vicinity, south-central Virginia
Historic groundwater quality of in situ recovery (ISR) uranium mines, Texas
Three GIS datasets defining areas permissive for the occurrence of uranium-bearing, solution-collapse breccia pipes in northern Arizona and southeast Utah
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Map of Uranium resource regions of the United States. Source: USGS, August 2022
![USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Hall_BleachedPermianSS_CoPlateau.jpg?itok=QfMXvzq5)
USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT
linkUSGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralizaiton, Colorado Plateau, UT
Source/Usage: Photo by USGS geologist Bradley Van Gosen, Public Domain, Photo taken on 10/1/2021
USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT
linkUSGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralizaiton, Colorado Plateau, UT
Source/Usage: Photo by USGS geologist Bradley Van Gosen, Public Domain, Photo taken on 10/1/2021
Uranium mineralized sandstone, Chinle Formation, White Canyon District, Colorado Plateau, UT
Uranium mineralized sandstone, Chinle Formation, White Canyon District, Colorado Plateau, UT
Uranium deposits in the Jurassic Morrison Formation, Bull Canyon, Colorado. Photographed by Susan Hall, USGS
Uranium deposits in the Jurassic Morrison Formation, Bull Canyon, Colorado. Photographed by Susan Hall, USGS
Uranium mineralized drill core, Coles Hill deposit, Virginia. Susan Hall, USGS
Uranium mineralized drill core, Coles Hill deposit, Virginia. Susan Hall, USGS
USGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas
linkUSGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Photo by USGS geologist Susan Hall, Public Domain. Photo taken 10/28/2015
USGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas
linkUSGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Photo by USGS geologist Susan Hall, Public Domain. Photo taken 10/28/2015
Below are publications associated with this project.
Sandstone-hosted uranium deposits of the Colorado Plateau, USA
Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 13 critical minerals in the conterminous United States and Puerto Rico — Antimony, barite, beryllium, chromium, fluorspar, hafnium, helium, magnesium, manganese, potash, uranium, vanadiu
The Coles Hill uranium deposit, Virginia, USA: Geology, geochemistry, geochronology, and genetic model
Using fission-track radiography coupled with scanning electron microscopy for efficient identification of solid-phase uranium mineralogy at a former uranium pilot mill (Grand Junction, Colorado)
Calcrete uranium deposits in the Southern High Plains, USA
Assessment of undiscovered resources in calcrete uranium deposits, Southern High Plains region of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, 2017
The discovery and character of Pleistocene calcrete uranium deposits in the Southern High Plains of west Texas, United States
Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
Genetic and grade and tonnage models for sandstone-hosted roll-type uranium deposits, Texas Coastal Plain, USA
Natural thorium resources and recovery: Options and impacts
Thorium as a nuclear fuel
Assessment of undiscovered sandstone-hosted uranium resources in the Texas Coastal Plain, 2015
Below are news stories associated with this project.
To assure adequate uranium to supply electricity from nuclear power, the US Geological Survey is working to better understand the genetic controls, distribution, and quantities of domestic uranium. Because of the heavy reliance on imported uranium, scientists also lead international groups of uranium resource experts to monitor world uranium supply. This research benefits the mining industry, utilities, regulators, land owners, land managers, and supports the development of a carbon-free energy future for the United States.
RESEARCH AND UNDISCOVERED RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS
Targeted scientific research and geospatial assessments are the foundation for the successful exploration and development of uranium resources. The USGS uranium minerals systems project has completed assessments of two uranium regions, the Texas Coastal Plain and Southern High Plains (TX, NM, OK). In addition, the project has developed genetic deposit models for the southeastern US and Colorado Plateau that will aid in the location of additional domestic resources. These are published as peer reviewed articles, fact sheets and data releases, and presented to scientific and wider non-scientific audiences.
Genetic Deposit Models
Colorado Plateau Sandstone-hosted Uranium and Vanadium Deposit Model
The Colorado Plateau physiographic region is the largest uranium province in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. Uranium, often accompanied by vanadium, has been mined from the Plateau since the 1940’s, and the only actively operating domestic uranium mill is in this region. Since 2020 USGS has been compiling data, sampling known deposits, and analyzing samples throughout the Plateau. Last comprehensively studied in the 1980’s, this work has resulted in a new genetic deposit model that will benefit the identification of prospective regions.
Southeastern U.S. Metasomatite Uranium Deposit Model
Coles Hill is the largest unmined uranium deposit in the United States. Discovered in 1978, the deposit was enigmatic and complex, defying classification. USGS led a team of researchers that included expertise from the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Uranium as well as USGS to develop the first comprehensive genetic model for Coles Hill, published in 2022. The new understandings developed by this model can be applied to future regional undiscovered resource assessments of metasomatite-type deposits in the southeastern US.
Undiscovered Uranium Resource Assessments
Southern High Plains (TX, NM, OK) Calcrete-type Deposit Model and Assessment
In 2016 USGS geologists located outcropping calcrete-hosted uranium mineralization in the Texas Panhandle. Ensuing studies of the mineralogy of the deposits, strontium and uranium isotopes, and groundwater modelling led to the development of the first genetic deposit model for calcrete-hosted uranium deposit in the US. This model was used to identify prospective tracts and was the basis of an assessment that was completed in 2017.
Texas Coastal Plain Sandstone-type Deposit Model and Assessment
Using GIS technology, multiple sources of data were combined to develop a comprehensive regional genetic model for sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the Texas Coastal Plain region. The method of integrating data at a regional scale and at different intervals of geologic time, led to the identification of tracts that were prospective for additional uranium resources and an assessment completed in 2015.
![Uranium resource regions of the United States](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/media/images/U_Regions%20Annotated.jpg?itok=BoMTpZMu)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, August 2022
Links for additional information about uranium resources and production
US Energy Information Administration (https://www.eia.gov/nuclear/). Analysis and data describing the US domestic uranium and nuclear fuels industry.
USGS Mineral Resources on-line spatial data (https://mrdata.usgs.gov). Interactive maps and downloadable data for regional and global geology, geochemistry, and mineral resources including uranium.
National Geochemical Database (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/). Downloadable hydrogeochemical and stream sediment data from the Department of Energy's National Uranium Resource Evaluation program, reformatted and now administered by the USGS.
US Environmental Protection Agency Uranium Mines and Mills Location Database (https://www.epa.gov/radiation/uranium-mines-and-mills-location-database-0) A compilation of uranium mine locations compiled by the EPA.
External Links
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – Nuclear Energy Agency (https://www.oecd-nea.org/). Joint biennial publication with IAEA that summarizes world uranium resources, production, and demand.
International Atomic Energy Agency (www.iaea.org). Information about the nuclear fuel cycle.
World Nuclear Association (https://www.world-nuclear.org). Summary of world uranium production and demand and other data related to the generation of nuclear power.
![USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/half_width/public/media/images/Hall_BleachedPermianSS_CoPlateau.jpg?itok=_hJXvqr0)
Source/Usage: Photo by USGS geologist Bradley Van Gosen, Public Domain, Photo taken on 10/1/2021
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Remote Sensing Techniques for Characterizing Energy Resources in Waste
Microanalysis of samples collected from sandstone-hosted uranium and vanadium deposits in the Colorado Plateau: Utah, New Mexico and Colorado, USA
Microanalysis of samples collected from the Sulfur Springs Draw calcrete-type uranium deposit in the Southern High Plains, Texas, USA
Whole rock geochemistry and comparative leachability of variably bleached and red sandstones of the Permian Cutler Formation, Mesa County, Colorado
U-Pb age determinations of uraninite by electron microprobe analyses of ore samples from two solution-collapse breccia pipe uranium deposits, Grand Canyon region, northwest Arizona, USA
Mineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of uranium ores from the Hack II and Pigeon deposits, solution-collapse breccia pipes, Grand Canyon region, Mohave and Coconino Counties, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona
Location, description, and whole rock geochemistry of rocks from the Coles Hill uranium deposit and vicinity, south-central Virginia
Historic groundwater quality of in situ recovery (ISR) uranium mines, Texas
Three GIS datasets defining areas permissive for the occurrence of uranium-bearing, solution-collapse breccia pipes in northern Arizona and southeast Utah
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Map of Uranium resource regions of the United States. Source: USGS, August 2022
Map of Uranium resource regions of the United States. Source: USGS, August 2022
![USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Hall_BleachedPermianSS_CoPlateau.jpg?itok=QfMXvzq5)
USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT
linkUSGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralizaiton, Colorado Plateau, UT
Source/Usage: Photo by USGS geologist Bradley Van Gosen, Public Domain, Photo taken on 10/1/2021
USGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralization, Colorado Plateau, UT
linkUSGS Geologist Susan Hall studying bleached sandstone near uranium mineralizaiton, Colorado Plateau, UT
Source/Usage: Photo by USGS geologist Bradley Van Gosen, Public Domain, Photo taken on 10/1/2021
Uranium mineralized sandstone, Chinle Formation, White Canyon District, Colorado Plateau, UT
Uranium mineralized sandstone, Chinle Formation, White Canyon District, Colorado Plateau, UT
Uranium deposits in the Jurassic Morrison Formation, Bull Canyon, Colorado. Photographed by Susan Hall, USGS
Uranium deposits in the Jurassic Morrison Formation, Bull Canyon, Colorado. Photographed by Susan Hall, USGS
Uranium mineralized drill core, Coles Hill deposit, Virginia. Susan Hall, USGS
Uranium mineralized drill core, Coles Hill deposit, Virginia. Susan Hall, USGS
USGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas
linkUSGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Photo by USGS geologist Susan Hall, Public Domain. Photo taken 10/28/2015
USGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas
linkUSGS Geologist Bradley Van Gosen studying uranium mineralization in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Photo by USGS geologist Susan Hall, Public Domain. Photo taken 10/28/2015
Below are publications associated with this project.
Sandstone-hosted uranium deposits of the Colorado Plateau, USA
Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 13 critical minerals in the conterminous United States and Puerto Rico — Antimony, barite, beryllium, chromium, fluorspar, hafnium, helium, magnesium, manganese, potash, uranium, vanadiu
The Coles Hill uranium deposit, Virginia, USA: Geology, geochemistry, geochronology, and genetic model
Using fission-track radiography coupled with scanning electron microscopy for efficient identification of solid-phase uranium mineralogy at a former uranium pilot mill (Grand Junction, Colorado)
Calcrete uranium deposits in the Southern High Plains, USA
Assessment of undiscovered resources in calcrete uranium deposits, Southern High Plains region of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, 2017
The discovery and character of Pleistocene calcrete uranium deposits in the Southern High Plains of west Texas, United States
Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
Genetic and grade and tonnage models for sandstone-hosted roll-type uranium deposits, Texas Coastal Plain, USA
Natural thorium resources and recovery: Options and impacts
Thorium as a nuclear fuel
Assessment of undiscovered sandstone-hosted uranium resources in the Texas Coastal Plain, 2015
Below are news stories associated with this project.