Post on 16-Jan-2017
1
TECHNICAL MEETING ON URANIUM PRODUCTION NETWORK
FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
22 - 24 NOVEMBER 2010
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
A PROSPECT OF URANIUM EXPLORATION
AND MINING IN MONGOLIA
by
Norov Enkhbat *, Sodnom Enkhbat **, Nanzad Norov*
* Nuclear Research Centre of the National University of Mongolia
** Nuclear Energy Agency of the Government of Mongolia
2
OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
1. Uranium production
2. Description of uranium ore district of Mongolia;
2. Deposits reserves and resources;
3. State policy of Mongolia on the geological survey and
exploitation of radioactive minerals;
1. Uranium Production
"Erdes" uranium mining is based on Mardai, Dornod,
Gurvanbulag and Havar deposits. "Erdes" uranium mining
enterprise was established under the bilateral Mongolian-
Soviet inter-government agreement at Mardai group of
deposits. In 1989 this enterprise started its uranium mining.
Mined uranium ores were transported by railroads to
Krasnokamensk in Chita region for processing at a mining-
chemical factory. “Erdes” uranium mining has been mined
490578-ton uranium ore or 490.6 ton metal of uranium
since exploited open mine. Unfortunately, political and
economic transformation in the country during that time
caused the suspension of uranium mining in 1995.3
Years Ore, ton Contents,% Metal, kg
1989 79882 0.117 93566
1990 91154 0.098 89253
1991 100724 0.1 100639
1992 89209 0.118 105225
1993 52321 0.104 54275
1994 63378 0.114 72114
1995 13919 0.145 20187
Total 490587 535259
4
Table.1. statues of uranium extraction from Dornod deposits
5
1. DESCRIPTION OF URANIUM ORE DISTRICT
OF MONGOLIA
1. DESCRIPTION OF URANIUM ORE DISTRICT OF
MONGOLIA
Based on result of the exploration work in the
territory of Mongolia was classified into four uranium
bearing metallogenical provinces: Mongol-Priargun,
Govi Tamsag, Hentei-Daguur and Northern
Mongolia. Each of these provinces differ by their
geological structure, type of uranium deposits,
association of minerals and mineralization age.
6
Locations of uranium deposits in Mongolia
Simplified map showing the uranium provinces and districts in Mongolia.
Within the country six uranium deposits, about 100 uranium occurrences and
1400 radioactive anomalies were identified.
1. Spar-uranium mineral association (МZ3) related to theВТС(volcanic-tectonic structure)
2. Uranium ore association (K) related to the oxidized zones instratums and soil in semi consolidated sediments
3. Uranium ore association (K1) in coal bearing sediment
4. Uranium ore association related to the broken zones ingranite rocks
5. uranium ore association (PR3) related to the broken zones inmetamorphic and granite rocks
6. Uranium ore association with U-Th rare earth elementsmineralization related to the metasomatized alkali rocks
7. Uranium ore association in metasomatite, magmatite,pegmatite
8. Uranium ore association in silicified schist.
8
Classification of identified uranium deposits and
occurrences in the territory of Mongolia
9
No. Genesis type Geological ageResource,
million tones U
1 Modern sediment N-Q 30
2 Sandstone type K-Q 607
3 Volcanic type
(F-Mo-U mineralization
association)
J3-K 183
4 Type related to the Granite rocks K1-Q 40
5 Metamorphic origin PR3-T 60
6 U-Th-rare earth mineralization
association related to the alkalic
rocks
PZ2-PZ3 115
7 Metasomatite genesis PR3 15
8 Black shale genesis PR3 60
Table.1. Genesis type of uranium ore
Table.2. Uranium Resources of Mongolian (1000 mln, tU)
10
metallogenic
district
metallogenic
district, ore
district
Name of ore areaGenesis
type
Amount of
Reserves
Reserves classification
Reserve Resource
C1 C2 P1 P2 P3
RAR EAR1 EAR2 Speculative
I. M
on
go
l-P
ria
rgu
n
1.North Choibalsan
I.1.1.Dornod ore node 3 70 31 20 6 13
I.1.2.Ugtam ore node 3 5 5
I.1.3.Turgen ore node 3 5 5
I.1.4.Enger shand ore node 3 5 5
I.1.5. Sumiin nuur basin 2 5 5
2.BerkhI.2.1.Ulziisaihan ore node
3 15 10 5
I.2.2. Batnorov ore node 3 12 7 5
3.Dornogovi-
Zuungobi
I.3.1.Bor-Undur ore node 3 5 5
I.3.2.Khongor ore node 3 7 7
I.3.3.Ulaan nuur ore node 3 15 15
I.3.4.Shivee ore node 3 3 3
I.3.5.Choir ore node 2 90 8 8 54 20
I.3.6.Nyalga basin 2 12 6 6
I.3.7.Tavan suvee basin 2 20 20
4.Dundgobi
I.4.1. Mushgaa khudag ore node3 16 6 10
I.4.2.Ulziit-Uul ore node 3 20 10 10
I.4.3.Ongiin gol basin2 115 50 65
5.Other areas
I.5.1.Matad ore node 3 5 5
I.5.2.Ulziit basin 2 25 15 10
I.5.3.Choibalsan basin 2 5 5
I.5.4.Gurvansaikhan basin 2 15 8 10 5
Table.2. Uranium Resources of Mongolian (1000 mln, tU)
11
met
all
ogen
ic
dis
tric
t
met
all
ogen
ic
dis
tric
t, o
re
dis
tric
t
Name of ore areaGenesis
type
Amount of
Reserves
Reserves classification
Reserve Resource
C1 C2 P1 P2 P3
RAR EAR1 EAR2 Speculative
II.G
ob
i-T
am
sag
II.1.Sainshand ore area 2 30 3 12 15
II.2.North Sainshand basin 2 30 7 23
II.3.Zuunbayan basin 2 50 8 20 30
II.4.Undurshil basin 2 50 20 30
II.5.Tamag basin 2 60 10 50
II.6.Ail ore node 3 10 5 5
II.7.Other ore area 270 270
III.1.Central ore area 4 30 4 10 16
III.
Kh
enti
i-
Da
uri
an
III.2.Janchivlan ore area 4 10 10
III.3.Chuluut ore area1 30 10 20
III.4.Other areas80 80
IV.N
ort
hM
on
go
lia
IV.1.Buteeliin nuruu ore area 7 15 5 10
IV.2.Khuvsgul ore area 8 20 20
IV.3.Ari goli ore area 6 30 5 25
IV.4.White shivee ore area 6 35 35
IV.5.Mongol Altai ore area 5 50 5 45
IV.6.Dundgorkhi ore node 5 5 5
IV.7.Tashaat deluu ore node 5 5 5
IV.8.Bayankhongor ore area 8 40 40
IV.9.Tuba ore area 6 30 30
IV.10.Khangai ore area 6 15 15
IV.11.Khaartsag ore area 6 5 5
IV.12.Nuuriin basin 2 100 100
Uranium Deposits and Fold Belts of Mongolia
Deposits
Uranium
reserves
mln.ton
Reserves
categories
Uranium
contents, %
Depth of ore
body, m
Dornod 32312 RAR+EAR1 0.154 450
Gurvanbulag 12629 RAR+EAR1 0.170 400
Nemer 2528 EAR1 0.146 300
Mardai 1104 RAR+EAR1 0.160 650
Ulaan 270 RAR+EAR1 0.145 300
Kharaat 7288 RAR+EAR1 0.026 30
Khairkhan 8406 RAR+EAR1 0.071 45
Narst 3000 EAR2 0.04 50
Dulaan-Uul 9888 RAR+EAR1 0.017 60
13
Table.3. Uranium reserves in Mongolian uranium deposits
Deposits Company or License holder owner
Dornod “Khan Resource” Co Ltd
“Central Asian Uranium” Co Ltd
Mongolia - 21%
Russian - 21%
Canada - 58%
Gurvanbulag CNNC corporation
Mardai - -
Nemer - -
Ulaan “Shin Shin” LLC, ”Khunbou”
LLC
China - 100%
14
Table.4. Uranium exploration companies in Mongolia
Dornod uranium group deposit
Stratigraphy of Dornod complex
Uranium deposits associated with the Dornod group of
deposit composed of Jurassic-Cretaceous peralkaline
volcanic rocks. It hosts the Dornot, Gurvanbulag and
Mardain-gol uranium deposits. Reserves reported 22
million tonnes @ 0.20% U308. (80% of the uranium reserves
of Mongolia)
Gurvanbulag uranium deposit
The uranium reserve of the Gurvanbulag deposit is estimated at 5.5 million
tonnes of uranium ore with 0.15% U3O8.
The Gurvanbulag deposit is located at the eastern part of Mongolia, in the north Choibalsan
uranium mineralization zone of Argun-Mongolia uranium metallogenic belt.
There are three main mineralization zones within the Gurvalbulag deposit group area:
Central, Zavsar and South-west. The main ore minerals are coffinite, pitchblende and
uranophan.
The U mineralisation –coffinite pitchblende and
uranophane
Schematic geological map
Schematic section
Gurvanbulag uranium deposit
North shaftWest shaft Main shaft
GURVANBULAG UNDERGROUND MINING
AT SADDLE HILLS
North shaft West shaft Main shaft
Map of 260m level in Gurvanbulag underground mining
Gurvanbulag deposit:
0.25% U3O8
Ventilation,
Cement block
0.22% U3O8 = 13,633,000lbs
0.15% U3O8 = 8,642,000lbs
Gurvanbulag – Past, Present, Future
21
Future planning of uranium production industry
Gurvanbulag 2008
22
Schema of uranium production technology in Gurvanbulag mining
Dornod uranium deposit
The Dornod deposit is located in the eastern part of Mongolia, 800 km north-east of
Ulaanbaatar. The uranium mineralization extends over an area of 20 km2 and is
concentrated in thirteen ore bodies.
Uranium mineralization is mainly associated with volcanic rocks. The main ore
mineral are pitchblende and coffinite, in the oxidation zone uranophan is dominant.
Uranium mineralization is represented by 13 ore bodies, located at 30-700 m depth.
Dornod open pit mining.
Mineralized zones
of Dornod uranium deposit
Cross Section, Deposit #7
Geology of deposit #7
The main part of mineralization is formed
along fault zones. The average ore grade is
about 0.28% U.
Reserves in this deposit is 29 000t U3O8
This deposit is situated 760 km north-east of Ulaanbaatar. The
Mardai-gol deposit belongs to the north Choibalsan uranium
mineralization zone of the Argun-Mongol province.
Uranium mineralization occurs along faults. Ore bodies are
mainly veins and stockworks. The uranium mineralization of
the Mardai deposit is the fluorite-molybdenum-uranium type
and the main ore mineral is pitchblende and coffinite.The Mardai deposit was
mined from 1988 to 1995.
Mardai-gol uranium deposit
Ore reserve is 819,000 tons with
0.098% U3O8Abandoned Russian mining town
The Haraat deposit located in the East Gobi province,occurs in lower Cretaceous sediments of the Choir basin(Fig.18). The ore occurs in alternating sandstone andclays, with interbedded lignitic layers. Commonminerals include autunite, torbernite andschroeckingerite.
Estimated reserves are 5,400 tonnes U3O8Average grade of 0.039%U
Haraat base camp Near Choir Deposits
Haraat uranium deposit
DULAAN-UUL camp (AREVA)
27
Dulaan uul drilling exploration
Exploration drilling in Choir basin
In recent years many foreign invested companies are conducting
uranium exploration in Mongolia and some of them identified the
reserve of uranium deposits. Based on the uranium deposits
establishment of modern highly developed nuclear power station
which is fully meets the requirements of nuclear and radiation safety
is a big contribution to development of Mongolian society and
economy. Certainly Mongolian uranium sector will be absolutely
perfect when the uranium sector law and regulation will be associated
to Mongolian policy on development of nuclear power station.
29
3. STATE POLICY OF MONGOLIA ON THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND EXPLOITATION
OF RADIOACTIVE MINERALS
In recent years many foreign invested companies are conducting uranium
exploration in Mongolia and some of them identified the reserve of uranium
deposits. Based on the uranium deposits establishment of modern highly
developed nuclear power station which is fully meets the requirements of
nuclear and radiation safety is a big contribution to development of
Mongolian society and economy. Certainly, Mongolian uranium sector will
be absolutely perfect when the uranium sector law and regulation will be
associated to Mongolian policy on development of nuclear power station.
According to Nuclear energy law that adopted by the parliament of Mongolia
on August 6, 2009 and Policy on radioactive minerals and nuclear energy
law which has been adopted on June 25, 2009 it is says to study in detail the
reserve of radioactive minerals, and become one of the leading countries
which are mining, producing and exporting of uranium with peace purpose,
utilize nuclear energy in social and economy sector and have a nuclear power
station with no negative impact to human and nature environment.
30
3. STATE POLICY OF MONGOLIA ON THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND EXPLOITATION OF
RADIOACTIVE MINERALS
Once nuclear energy law adopted and had a governmental agency to implement
policy on radioactive minerals it makes the basis of mining, enriching and
utilization of radioactive minerals.
The world wide nuclear energy utilization is increasing, uranium price is growing in
world market and Mongolia has certain uranium reserves. Regarding this the one of
way to development of Mongolia is to utilize nuclear power and radioactive
minerals.
31