Method for judging existence form of associated gallium in sandstone type uranium deposit

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of basic research of sandstone type uranium ore associated resource evaluation, and particularly relates to a method for judging the existence form of associated gallium in a sandstone type uranium deposit, which comprises the following steps of: measuring the contents of major elements and trace elements of a plurality of uranium ore samples, and judging whether gallium meets the lowest grade requirement of associated resources of the uranium deposit; for uranium ore samples exceeding the lowest grade requirement of gallium associated resources, correlation analysis of gallium elements, main elements and trace elements is carried out, and possible key mineral types closely related to gallium are preliminarily speculated; carrying out slice analysis, and circling an approximate range of speculated possible key mineral types; carrying out scanning electron microscope and energy spectrum analysis combined observation, and determining the existence form of gallium in the uranium deposit; the position exceeding the associated grade gallium is determined through laser in-situ analysis; the gallium-related mineral type is directly determined through electron probe analysis; and comprehensively judging the existence form of gallium in the uranium deposit. According to the method, the existence form of associated gallium in the sandstone type uranium deposit can be accurately and quickly judged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of basic research on the evaluation of associated resources in sandstone-type uranium deposits, and specifically relates to a method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits. Background Technology

[0002] Sandstone-type uranium deposits are a key focus of uranium exploration globally and in my country due to their low mining costs (accessible via in-situ leaching), high economic benefits, and large resource share (approximately 26% of global uranium resources and 46% of my country's). In sandstone-type uranium deposits, gallium (Ga), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V) are often found as associated enrichments. Gallium, as a critical metal, is valuable not only for its scarcity and irreplaceability but also for its crucial role in high-tech industries and energy transition. Some uranium deposits have already shown gallium levels in their ore that meet the standards for comprehensive associated utilization (>20×10⁻⁶). -6 While the total amount is considerable, how to integrate it with uranium mining and utilization remains a challenge for current industrial development.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a method for determining the form of gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits, which can be used for integrated mining and utilization of uranium. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits. This method can accurately and quickly determine the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits.

[0005] Technical solution to achieve the purpose of this invention:

[0006] A method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits, the method comprising:

[0007] Step 1: Determine the content of major and trace elements in multiple uranium ore samples to determine whether gallium meets the minimum grade requirements for associated resources in uranium deposits;

[0008] Step 2: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements to preliminarily identify major and trace elements closely related to gallium and to infer the possible key mineral types closely related to gallium.

[0009] Step 3: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents, and delineate the approximate range of the inferred key mineral types.

[0010] Step 4: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct combined scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to directly search for gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium to determine whether gallium-related minerals are directly produced near them, thus determining the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit.

[0011] Step 5: Select thin films with high gallium content and use in-situ laser analysis to determine the locations where gallium levels exceed those of associated gallium.

[0012] Step 6: In the vicinity of the location where the gallium grade exceeds the associated gallium level, determined by in-situ laser analysis, the gallium-related mineral type is directly determined by electron probe microanalysis;

[0013] Step 7: Based on the form of gallium in the uranium deposit determined in Step 4, the location of gallium exceeding the associated grade determined in Step 5, and the type of gallium-related minerals determined in Step 6, comprehensively determine the form of gallium in the uranium deposit.

[0014] Further, step 1 includes:

[0015] Step 1.1: Take multiple uranium ore samples and determine the content of major and trace elements in the samples;

[0016] Step 1.2: Based on the standards for associated resources in uranium deposits, determine whether gallium in the uranium ore meets the minimum grade requirements for associated resources in uranium deposits by using the trace element content obtained in Step 1.1.

[0017] Furthermore, the minimum grade requirement for the gallium-associated resource is 20 × 10⁻⁶. -6 .

[0018] Furthermore, the major elements include: Si, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Na, K, Mn, Ti, P; the trace elements include: Nb, Ta, In, Hf, Zr, Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb.

[0019] Further, step 2 includes:

[0020] Step 2.1: For samples exceeding the minimum grade of gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements, select the major and trace elements with the highest correlation with gallium, and rank them to obtain the ranking results of gallium-related elements.

[0021] Step 2.2: Based on the ranking results of gallium-related elements, infer the possible key mineral types that are closely related to gallium.

[0022] Further, step 3 includes:

[0023] Step 3.1: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents;

[0024] Step 3.2: Based on the mineral types and relative contents determined in Step 3.1, circle the approximate range of the possible key mineral types predicted in Step 2.2.

[0025] Further, step 4 includes:

[0026] Step 4.1: Based on thin section observation, for uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct combined scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis within the approximate range of key minerals determined in Step 3.2 to directly search for whether there are direct occurrences of gallium-related minerals near gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium.

[0027] Step 4.2: Based on the discovery of gallium minerals in Step 4.1, determine the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit.

[0028] Further, step 4.2 includes:

[0029] Gallium minerals were found in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit exists as an independent uranium mineral.

[0030] Gallium-related minerals were found near the key minerals in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit exists in isomorphous form.

[0031] If no gallium minerals are found in step 4.1, and no gallium-related mineral deposits are found near the key minerals, then further judgment is made.

[0032] Further, step 5 includes:

[0033] Step 5.1: Select a thin film with a high gallium content. Within the approximate range of the key minerals determined in Step 3.2, further locate the possible key minerals. Perform in-situ laser analysis on the gallium content at the located points to obtain in-situ gallium content data.

[0034] Step 5.2: Based on the in-situ gallium content data obtained in Step 5.1, select locations where the gallium content is significantly higher than that in the trace test, and determine these locations as those exceeding the associated gallium content, as the analysis locations for the next step of electron probe microanalysis.

[0035] Further, step 6 includes:

[0036] Step 6.1: The location exceeding the associated gallium grade determined in Step 5.2 is taken as the analysis location of the electron probe, and the electron probe elemental composition information of the target mineral is obtained through electron probe elemental analysis.

[0037] Step 6.2: Determine the gallium-related mineral types based on the elemental composition information characteristics of the electron probe microanalysis.

[0038] Step 6.3: Based on the location of gallium exceeding the associated grade determined in Step 5 and the gallium-related mineral types determined in Step 6.2, determine the existence form and main mineral types of gallium in uranium mineralization.

[0039] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are as follows:

[0040] 1. The present invention provides a method for determining the form of gallium in associated resources in sandstone-type uranium deposits, which solves the problems of unclear gallium form in associated resources in uranium deposits, high difficulty in comprehensive mining of associated resources, and low economic benefits.

[0041] 2. The present invention provides a method for determining the form of gallium associated with sandstone-type uranium deposits. This method can accurately and quickly determine the form of gallium associated with sandstone-type uranium deposits and forms a standardized determination method. It can directly serve the comprehensive development and utilization of gallium associated with uranium deposits and has great application prospects.

[0042] 3. The present invention provides a method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits. It provides a step-by-step determination approach from macroscopic to microscopic and from qualitative to quantitative analysis. Through a step-by-step elimination method, it provides a solution for the accurate determination of the form of gallium (especially adsorbed gallium).

[0043] 4. The present invention provides a method for determining the form of gallium associated in sandstone-type uranium deposits. In step 4, scanning electron microscopy is used to directly search for gallium-related minerals, providing a specific solution for directly locating or excluding gallium-related minerals.

[0044] 5. The present invention provides a method for determining the form of gallium associated with sandstone-type uranium deposits. Through a combined analysis scheme of "thin section identification + scanning electron microscopy + energy dispersive spectroscopy + laser in-situ analysis + electron probe microanalysis", it effectively solves the problem that electron probe microanalysis with gallium as the main excitation source cannot accurately measure gallium, and provides a rapid method for determining the form of gallium. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a delineation diagram of the inferred key minerals in a sandstone-type uranium deposit provided in an embodiment of the present invention on a thin section. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0049] A method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits, specifically including the following steps:

[0050] Step 1: Determine the content of major and trace elements in multiple uranium ore samples to determine whether gallium meets the minimum grade requirements for associated resources in uranium deposits;

[0051] Step 1.1: Take multiple uranium ore samples and determine the content of major and trace elements in the samples;

[0052] Step 1.2: Based on the standards for associated resources in uranium deposits, determine whether the gallium content in the uranium ore meets the minimum grade requirement for associated resources in uranium deposits (>20×10⁻⁶) using the trace element content obtained in Step 1.1. -6 ).

[0053] The minimum grade requirement for gallium-associated resources is 20 × 10⁻⁶. -6 .

[0054] Major elements include: Si, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Na, K, Mn, Ti, and P.

[0055] Trace elements include: Nb, Ta, In, Hf, Zr, Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Rb.

[0056] Step 2: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements to preliminarily identify major and trace elements closely related to gallium and to infer the possible key mineral types closely related to gallium.

[0057] Step 2.1: For samples exceeding the minimum grade of gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements, select the major and trace elements with the highest correlation with gallium, and rank them to obtain the ranking results of gallium-related elements.

[0058] Correlation analysis includes calculating the correlation coefficients between gallium and major elements, analyzing the correlation matrix between gallium and major elements, and analyzing the correlation matrix between gallium and trace elements. Based on the correlation coefficients between gallium and major and trace elements, the elements are sorted to obtain the ranking results of gallium-related elements.

[0059] Step 2.2: Based on the ranking results of gallium-related elements, infer the possible key mineral types that are closely related to gallium.

[0060] Based on the ranking of gallium-related elements, the major and trace elements closely related to gallium were obtained. Based on the major and trace elements closely related to gallium, the possible key mineral types closely related to gallium were inferred.

[0061] Step 3: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents, and delineate the approximate range of the inferred key mineral types.

[0062] Step 3.1: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents;

[0063] Step 3.2: Based on the mineral types and relative contents determined in Step 3.1, circle the approximate range of the possible key mineral types predicted in Step 2.2.

[0064] Step 4: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct combined scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to directly search for gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium to determine whether gallium-related minerals are directly produced near them, thus determining the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit.

[0065] Step 4.1: Based on thin section observation, for uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct combined scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis within the approximate range of key minerals determined in Step 3.2 to directly search for whether there are direct occurrences of gallium-related minerals near gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium.

[0066] Step 4.2: Based on the discovery of gallium minerals in Step 4.1, determine the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit:

[0067] Gallium minerals were found in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit exists as an independent uranium mineral.

[0068] Gallium-related minerals were found near the key minerals in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit exists in isomorphous form.

[0069] If no gallium minerals are found in step 4.1, and no gallium-related mineral deposits are found near the key minerals, then further judgment is made.

[0070] Step 5: Select thin films with high gallium content and use in-situ laser analysis to determine the locations where gallium levels exceed those of associated gallium.

[0071] Step 5.1: Select a thin film with a high gallium content. Within the approximate range of the key minerals determined in Step 3.2, further locate the possible key minerals. Perform in-situ laser analysis on the gallium content at the located points to obtain in-situ gallium content data.

[0072] Step 5.2: Based on the in-situ gallium content data obtained in Step 5.1, select locations where the gallium content is significantly higher than that in the trace test, and determine these locations as those exceeding the associated gallium content, as the analysis locations for the next step of electron probe microanalysis.

[0073] Step 6: In the vicinity of the location where the gallium grade exceeds the associated gallium level, determined by in-situ laser analysis, the gallium-related mineral type is directly determined by electron probe microanalysis;

[0074] Step 6.1: The location exceeding the associated gallium grade determined in Step 5.2 is taken as the analysis location of the electron probe, and the electron probe elemental composition information of the target mineral is obtained through electron probe elemental analysis.

[0075] Step 6.2: Determine the gallium-related mineral types based on the elemental composition information characteristics of the electron probe microanalysis.

[0076] Step 6.3: Based on the location of gallium exceeding the associated grade determined in Step 5 and the gallium-related mineral types determined in Step 6.2, determine the existence form and main mineral types of gallium in uranium mineralization.

[0077] Step 7: Based on the form of gallium in the uranium deposit determined in Step 4, the location of gallium exceeding the associated grade determined in Step 5, and the type of gallium-related minerals determined in Step 6, comprehensively determine the form of gallium in the uranium deposit.

[0078] Example

[0079] Taking a sandstone-type uranium deposit in Northeast my country as an example, this invention provides a detailed explanation of a method for determining the presence form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits. Figures 1-2 As shown, the specific steps include:

[0080] Step 1: Determine the content of major and trace elements in multiple uranium ore samples to determine whether gallium meets the minimum grade requirements for associated resources in uranium deposits;

[0081] Step 1.1: Take multiple uranium ore samples from a sandstone-type uranium mine and determine the content of major and trace elements in each sample.

[0082] Step 1.2: Based on the standards for associated resources in uranium deposits, and using the trace element content obtained in Step 1.1, it was found that the gallium content in a uranium ore sample from a sandstone-type uranium deposit was 9.84 × 10⁻⁶. -6 ~45.40×10 -6 Between these values, over 86% of the samples had a gallium content of 21.70 × 10⁻⁶. -6 ~45.40×10 -6 Between these values, the vast majority of uranium ore samples met the minimum grade requirement for gallium content in associated resources of uranium deposits (>20×10⁻⁶). -6 ).

[0083] Step 2: Conduct correlation analysis of gallium with major and trace elements in a sandstone-type uranium deposit, preliminarily identify major and trace elements closely related to gallium, and infer the key mineral types closely related to gallium;

[0084] Step 2.1: For a sample from a sandstone-type uranium deposit that exceeds the minimum grade of gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements. The correlation analysis includes calculation of relevant parameters and analysis of the correlation matrix. The results are shown in Table 1-3. Based on the results shown in Table 1-3, select the major and trace elements with the highest correlation to gallium and rank them.

[0085] Table 1. Correlation analysis results of gallium and major elements in a sandstone-type uranium deposit.

[0086]

[0087] The data corresponding to serial numbers 1-27 in Table 1 are the elemental contents of gallium and other major elements.

[0088] Table 2. Results of correlation matrix analysis between gallium and major elements in a sandstone-type uranium deposit.

[0089] Ga (trace) Si Al Fe MgO CaO Na K MnO Ti P Ga (trace) 1.00 Si -0.95 1.00 Al 0.80 -0.88 1.00 Fe 0.72 -0.75 0.54 1.00 Mg 0.84 -0.76 0.45 0.70 1.00 Ca 0.90 -0.82 0.54 0.72 0.93 1.00 Na -0.26 0.13 0.08 -0.09 -0.51 -0.38 1.00 K -0.83 0.70 -0.42 -0.58 -0.90 -0.90 0.67 1.00 Mn 0.27 -0.26 0.02 0.58 0.41 0.31 0.00 -0.21 1.00 Ti 0.66 -0.72 0.85 0.43 0.31 0.42 0.09 -0.33 -0.03 1.00 P 0.07 -0.21 0.18 0.10 0.03 0.05 0.16 0.05 0.16 0.10 1.00

[0090] The data in Table 2 are the correlation coefficients between gallium and each major element.

[0091] Table 3. Results of correlation matrix analysis between gallium and trace elements in a sandstone-type uranium deposit.

[0092] Ga Nb Ta In Hf Zr Li Be Sc V Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Rb Ga 1.00 Nb 0.96 1.00 Ta 0.95 0.96 1.00 In 0.91 0.90 0.86 1.00 Hf 0.94 0.91 0.92 0.86 1.00 Zr 0.86 0.82 0.84 0.78 0.97 1.00 Li 0.18 0.12 0.13 -0.03 0.15 0.19 1.00 Be 0.53 0.46 0.47 0.28 0.44 0.41 0.72 1.00 Sc 0.48 0.39 0.46 0.18 0.50 0.53 0.78 0.70 1.00 V 0.15 0.04 0.09 -0.16 0.08 0.10 0.69 0.78 0.62 1.00 Cr -0.88 -0.89 -0.88 -0.88 -0.80 -0.70 0.02 -0.36 -0.22 0.02 1.00 C0 0.05 -0.04 -0.03 -0.06 -0.04 -0.04 0.25 0.62 0.19 0.55 0.00 1.00 Ni 0.01 -0.08 -0.07 -0.10 -0.08 -0.08 0.25 0.61 0.18 0.55 0.05 1.00 1.00 Cu 0.70 0.67 0.62 0.55 0.63 0.59 0.33 0.49 0.57 0.27 -0.43 0.10 0.08 1.00 Zn 0.15 0.04 0.05 0.07 0.05 0.02 0.23 0.63 0.20 0.52 -0.07 0.91 0.90 0.14 1.00 Rb -0.80 -0.80 -0.81 -0.82 -0.74 -0.64 0.06 -0.26 -0.19 0.13 0.88 0.05 0.10 -0.48 -0.02 1.00

[0093] The data in Table 3 are the correlation coefficients between gallium and various trace elements.

[0094] Step 2.2: Based on the ranking results of gallium-related elements, it was found that gallium is strongly correlated with major elements aluminum, calcium, and magnesium (correlation coefficients are 0.80, 0.89, and 0.83, respectively, Table 1-2), and with iron (correlation coefficient is 0.72, Table 1-2); gallium is also strongly correlated with trace elements Nb, Ta, In, Hf, and Zr (correlation coefficients are 0.96, 0.95, 0.91, 0.94, and 0.86, respectively, Table 3). Based on these related elements, it is speculated that the key mineral types closely related to gallium may include feldspar, calcite, dolomite, clay minerals, rare earth elements, pyrite, hematite, and limonite.

[0095] Step 3: For uranium ore samples that meet the associated mineral standards, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents, and delineate the approximate range of the inferred key minerals;

[0096] Step 3.1: For uranium ore samples that meet the associated mineral standard, thin section analysis is performed to determine their main mineral types and relative contents. Thin section analysis of uranium ore samples that meet the associated mineral standard in a sandstone-type uranium deposit revealed that the main particles are quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, and rock fragments, with occasional calcite particles, and small amounts of pyrite and titanium oxides. The pores are mainly filled with clay minerals.

[0097] Step 3.2: The approximate range of key minerals such as clay minerals, feldspar, and pyrite, which were inferred in Step 2.2, was delineated under the thin section. Figure 3 As shown.

[0098] Step 4: For uranium ore samples that meet the associated mineral standard, conduct scanning electron microscopy observation to directly look for gallium minerals or gallium-related minerals near key minerals to see if there are direct occurrences of gallium-related minerals.

[0099] Step 4.1: Based on thin section observation, within the approximate range of the key minerals determined in Step 3.2, conduct combined observation using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to directly search for gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium to see if there are direct occurrences of gallium-related minerals near them.

[0100] Step 4.2: Based on the discovery of gallium minerals in Step 4.1, determine the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit.

[0101] In this example, gallium minerals were not found in step 4.1, so it is determined that gallium in the uranium deposit should not exist as an independent uranium mineral.

[0102] In this example, no gallium-related minerals were found near the key mineral in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit should not exist in the form of isomorphism.

[0103] In this embodiment, no gallium minerals were found in step 4.1, and no gallium-related mineral deposits were found near the key minerals, requiring further assessment.

[0104] Step 5: Select a thin film with a high gallium content and perform in-situ laser analysis to determine the location where the gallium content exceeds that of the associated gallium.

[0105] Step 5.1: Select thin sections with relatively high gallium levels from a sandstone-type uranium deposit, within the approximate range of the key minerals determined in Step 3.2, such as... Figure 3 As shown in Table 4, the locations of potential key minerals were further identified, and the in-situ gallium content was obtained by laser in-situ analysis at the identified points.

[0106] Table 4. Data on gallium and other elements obtained from laser in-situ analysis of a sandstone-type uranium deposit.

[0107]

[0108] The data in Table 4 show the content of gallium and other elements.

[0109] Step 5.2: Based on the in-situ gallium content data obtained in Step 5.1, select locations where the gallium content is significantly higher than that of the trace test gallium content as the analysis locations for the next step of electron probe microanalysis, as shown in Table 4.

[0110] Step 6: In the vicinity of the location where the gallium grade exceeds the associated gallium level, determined by in-situ laser analysis, the gallium-related mineral type is directly determined by electron probe microanalysis;

[0111] Step 6.1, the analysis location of the electron probe determined in step 5.2 is shown in Table 4. The elemental composition information of the target mineral in a sandstone-type uranium deposit is obtained by electron probe elemental analysis, as shown in Table 5.

[0112] Table 5. Elemental composition and corresponding mineral interpretation of electron probe microanalysis near high gallium values ​​in a uranium mine.

[0113] Electron probe locations CaO K2O SiO2 FeO MnO TiO2 P2O5 SO3 ThO2 Na2O Al2O3 MgO Total Mineral interpretation GA3-2 0.06 0.09 47.11 0.81 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.00 36.59 0.13 84.86 Kaolin GA4-2 0.13 0.08 46.91 1.20 0.00 0.22 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 35.26 0.18 84.01 Kaolin GA9-4 0.01 15.94 65.21 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.93 17.18 0.00 99.42 Potassium feldspar GA10-2 0.34 0.20 51.00 1.70 0.03 0.07 0.01 0.04 0.06 0.18 34.16 0.48 88.29 Kaolin

[0114] The data in Table 5 show the electron probe element content of gallium and other elements.

[0115] Step 6.2: Based on the elemental composition information of the electron probe microanalysis, it was determined that the main gallium-related mineral type in a certain sandstone-type uranium deposit is kaolinite, with a small amount of potassium feldspar, as shown in Table 5. Therefore, it was determined that the adsorbed mineral type of gallium element in a certain sandstone-type uranium deposit is clay mineral with kaolinite as the main component.

[0116] Step 6.3: In a certain sandstone-type uranium ore, step 1 confirmed that the gallium content in the ore met the industrial associated standard and could be comprehensively developed and utilized as an associated resource. Step 5 confirmed the presence of gallium in situ through laser in-situ analysis. Steps 6.1 and 6.2 further confirmed through electron probe microanalysis that the mineral type near the high gallium value was clay minerals mainly composed of kaolinite, indicating that gallium in an adsorbed state exists in the sandstone-type uranium ore and is mainly adsorbed near clay minerals mainly composed of kaolinite.

[0117] Step 7: Comprehensively determine the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit. Step 4.2 showed no gallium minerals were found in a certain sandstone-type uranium deposit, indicating that gallium should not exist as an independent uranium mineral. Step 4.3 showed no gallium-related minerals were found, indicating that gallium should not exist as an isomorphous mineral. However, steps 5 and 6 confirmed the presence of adsorbed gallium in the sandstone-type uranium deposit. The overall conclusion is that gallium in this sandstone-type uranium deposit is mainly in the adsorbed state, primarily adsorbed near clay minerals, mainly kaolinite. This understanding provides a basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of gallium in this sandstone-type uranium deposit.

[0118] Using the method for determining the presence form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits proposed in this invention, the existence form of gallium associated resources in a sandstone-type uranium deposit in Northeast my country was successfully determined to be the adsorption form of clay minerals with kaolinite as the dominant mineral. This provides an accurate, rapid, and standardized solution for determining the presence form of associated gallium resources in a certain uranium deposit, directly supporting the selection of a comprehensive development and utilization method for associated gallium resources in a certain uranium deposit, indicating that the invention has strong practicality.

[0119] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All contents not described in detail in the present invention can be derived from existing technologies.

Claims

1. A method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits, characterized in that, The method includes: Step 1: Determine the content of major and trace elements in multiple uranium ore samples to determine whether gallium meets the minimum grade requirements for associated resources in uranium deposits; Step 2: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements to preliminarily identify major and trace elements closely related to gallium and to infer the possible key mineral types closely related to gallium. Step 3: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents, and delineate the approximate range of the inferred key mineral types. Step 4: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct combined scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to directly search for gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium to determine whether gallium-related minerals are directly produced near them, thus determining the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit. Step 5: Select thin films with high gallium content and use in-situ laser analysis to determine the locations where gallium levels exceed those of associated gallium. Step 6: In the vicinity of the location where the gallium grade exceeds the associated gallium level, determined by in-situ laser analysis, the gallium-related mineral type is directly determined by electron probe microanalysis; Step 7: Based on the form of gallium in the uranium deposit determined in Step 4, the location of gallium exceeding the associated grade determined in Step 5, and the type of gallium-related minerals determined in Step 6, comprehensively determine the form of gallium in the uranium deposit.

2. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step 1 includes: Step 1.1: Take multiple uranium ore samples and determine the content of major and trace elements in the samples; Step 1.2: Based on the standards for associated resources in uranium deposits, determine whether gallium in the uranium ore meets the minimum grade requirements for associated resources in uranium deposits by using the trace element content obtained in Step 1.

1.

3. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 2, characterized in that, The minimum grade requirement for the gallium-associated resources is 20 × 10⁻⁶. -6 .

4. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 2, characterized in that, The major elements include: Si, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Na, K, Mn, Ti, P; the trace elements include: Nb, Ta, In, Hf, Zr, Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb.

5. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 2, characterized in that, Step 2 includes: Step 2.1: For samples exceeding the minimum grade of gallium-associated resources, conduct correlation analysis between gallium and major and trace elements, select the major and trace elements with the highest correlation with gallium, and rank them to obtain the ranking results of gallium-related elements. Step 2.2: Based on the ranking results of gallium-related elements, infer the possible key mineral types that are closely related to gallium.

6. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 5, characterized in that, Step 3 includes: Step 3.1: For uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct thin section analysis to determine their main mineral types and relative contents; Step 3.2: Based on the mineral types and relative contents determined in Step 3.1, circle the approximate range of the possible key mineral types predicted in Step 2.

2.

7. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 6, characterized in that, Step 4 includes: Step 4.1: Based on thin section observation, for uranium ore samples that exceed the minimum grade requirements for gallium-associated resources, conduct combined scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis within the approximate range of key minerals determined in Step 3.2 to directly search for whether there are direct occurrences of gallium-related minerals near gallium minerals or key minerals closely related to gallium. Step 4.2: Based on the discovery of gallium minerals in Step 4.1, determine the form in which gallium exists in the uranium deposit.

8. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 7, characterized in that, Step 4.2 includes: Gallium minerals were found in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit exists as an independent uranium mineral. Gallium-related minerals were found near the key minerals in step 4.1, indicating that gallium in the uranium deposit exists in isomorphous form. If no gallium minerals are found in step 4.1, and no gallium-related mineral deposits are found near the key minerals, then further judgment is made.

9. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 8, characterized in that, Step 5 includes: Step 5.1: Select a thin film with a high gallium content. Within the approximate range of the key minerals determined in Step 3.2, further locate the possible key minerals. Perform in-situ laser analysis on the gallium content at the located points to obtain in-situ gallium content data. Step 5.2: Based on the in-situ gallium content data obtained in Step 5.1, select locations where the gallium content is significantly higher than that in the trace test, and determine these locations as those exceeding the associated gallium content, as the analysis locations for the next step of electron probe microanalysis.

10. The method for determining the form of associated gallium in sandstone-type uranium deposits according to claim 9, characterized in that, Step 6 includes: Step 6.1: The location exceeding the associated gallium grade determined in Step 5.2 is taken as the analysis location of the electron probe, and the electron probe elemental composition information of the target mineral is obtained through electron probe elemental analysis. Step 6.2: Determine the gallium-related mineral types based on the elemental composition information characteristics of the electron probe microanalysis. Step 6.3: Based on the location of gallium exceeding the associated grade determined in Step 5 and the gallium-related mineral types determined in Step 6.2, determine the existence form and main mineral types of gallium in uranium mineralization.

Images