- SMDI #
- 1151
- Current Showing Name
- Claude Uranium Deposit; Claude Lake Uranium Deposit
- Historical Showing Names
- Claude Uranium Deposit; Claude Lake Uranium Deposit
- Company Name
- AREVA Resources Canada Inc.
- Project Name
- UTM Easting (NAD83 Z13)
- 234880.0600
- UTM Northing (NAD83 Z13)
- 6480488.5900
- NTS Sheet
- 074K05
- TRM (Township-Range-Meridian)
- 108-22-3
- Primary Commodities
- Uranium
- Associated Commodities
- Graphite, Iron, Lead, Molybdenum, Titanium
- Discovery Type
- Status
- Deposit: Post-Production
- Geological Details
- The deposit occurs within what is known as the Carswell Structure approximately 2 km (1.24 miles) north of Cluff Lake, an area surrounded by practically undisturbed Athabasca Formation rocks.
The Carswell structure consists of three concentric rings, the outermost unit comprising stromatolitic dolomite, the middle unit consisting of a 3 to 4 mile (4.8 to 6.4 km) wide band of complex and highly fractured sandstone containing large basement blocks, and an inner core of basement gneisses 12 miles (19.3 km) in diameter. The outer boundary of the structure is surrounded by an "outer ring fault" have a diameter of 23 miles (37 km). The sandstone/basement boundary is dislocated by radial and tangential faults, is normal in some places and inverted in others.
The structure is believed to have been formed by meteor impact. Evidence for shock metamorphism includes shatter cones, planar deformation lamellae in quartz, split and recemented conglomerate pebbles and Cluff Breccia dykes.
The Claude Orebody occurs within strongly altered Peter River quartzitic gneisses and interlayered granitoids close to the unconformity. The orebody, which is controlled by major a east-west and two north-south tectonic zones, trends north-northeast and parallels the vertical to sub-vertical radial faults. It covers an area 600 m x 200 m x 90 m (1968.5 X 656.2 X 295 3 ft). Uranium mineralization is concentrated within wide, horizontal to gently dipping mylonite and Cluff Breccia-filled faults. The mineralization extends along the north-south fault for 240 m (787.4 ft), along the east-west fault for 120 m (393.7 ft), and dissapears below 100 m (328.1 ft). The mineralized structures are normally less that 10 m (32.8 ft)wide. The mineralization in the two structures are identical.
The dominant uranium minerals consist of uraninite and coffinite, with common accessory minerals including graphite, pyrite, galena, molybdenite and organic material. The main mineral assemblages are brannerite-uraninite, paraguanajuanite-clausthalite, molybdenum sulphide-galena, and pyrite-chalcopyrite. The uraninite present occurs as fibers along with titanium oxides along altered relict biotite, as ribbons on the mineralization walls, and as euhedral crystals in the center of the mineralized fault breccia. Organic material is abundant in high grade ore along the east-west fault. The mineralization has been dated, using U-Pb methods at 1050 Ma. Mineralization and alteration is similar to the N deposit.
The host gneisses are extensively altered. Cordierite, K-feldspar and sillimanite have been replaced by illite. Garnet and biotite have been replaced by illite and chlorite. The hematization and chloritization-argillization, common of Redox Interface deposits, is marked by hematized and pale green, bleached rock. Near the mineralization, the clay is magnesian and often dravite has been observed on quartz crystals.
- Geological Domain
- Beaverlodge
- Host Rocks
- Host Minerals
- Molybdenite, Pyrite
- Indicators
- Exploration History
- 8/7/1989 The area of the orebody was under exploration as early as 1958 when airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys were completed for W.S. Kennedy (1958) Grubstake to test two topographic features, a circular pattern and a southwest-striking lineament. Three magnetic anomalies were located; one north of Carswell Lake, a second 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the central part of Carswell Lake, and a third zoned circular pattern centred 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Carswell Lake. All radiometric anomalies corresponded to the circular pattern.
An airborne gammametic survey was completed over the area in 1967 to 1968, and CBS 2330 and CBS 2331 were staked 2 August 1968 in response to the survey results.
A detailed airborne scintillometer survey was completed over the area in 1969 which outlined several anomalies. Radon surveys were completed in areas of radioactive boulders but nothing was located. Ground magnetometer surveys as well as stripping and trenching was completed over the anomalous areas and several boulders containing pitchblende with associated Au, selenides and tellurides were located east of Cluff Lake. In-situ mineralization was present in brecciated zones in the showing area. Winkie diamond drilling was completed over the showing area and two intersections returned the value above which first indicated the showing.
An airborne magnetic survey was completed over the area which divided the area into three lithologic groups, granite intrusion and intense granitization, granite gneiss and amphibolite gneiss. A helicopter-borne scintillometer survey was completed as well as ground resistivity surveys, stripping and trenching. Vein-type pitchblende mineralization was noted at this time. A geochemical survey was subsequently completed, as well as diamond drilling totalling 11679 ft and Winkie diamond drilling in the area of the orebody.
In 1971, an airborne EM (input) survey was completed over the area which outlined 10 conductive zones, none pertaining to the showing. Ground radiometric surveys were completed over grids in the more anomalous areas which outlined pitchblende pebbles and mineralized bedrock pebbles. General resistivity surveys were completed in the area east and north of Cluff Lake as well as more detailed surveys in the more anomalous areas. VLF-EM and geochemical surveys were also completed as well as trenching, diamond drilling and percussion drilling. No interesting results are listed.
Significant work began in 1972 to 1973 with scintillometer surveys, radon emanometry surveys, geochemical surveys, geological mapping, trehcing, VLF-EM surveys, gravimetry and seismic reflection surveys, diamond drilling, percussion drilling and an airborne spectrometer survey over the showing area.
A resistivity survey was completed in the area which outlined several northwest-striking fault zones. A VLF-EM survey outlined the tangential-radial fault pattern expected of the Carswell structure. Several thousand feet of diamond drilling was completed as well as percussion drilling in the showing area.
Strategic geochemical surveys were carried out in 1975 which outlined several anomalies, and continued diamond and percussion drilling was done. Geological mapping and radiometric prospecting, geochemical sampling and radon surveying were completed as well.
In 1976, the claim was converted to ML 5186. In 1979, a decline was sunk on the deposit.
In 1981, an environmental impact study based on an open pit style of mining was completed. In 1982, permission was granted to commence with surface test mining on the Claude deposit. The operation was completed by November of 1981. In 1983, the D deposit mill was converted to handle normal grade ore. Mining commenced in 1983.
In 1985, production mining of the Claude deposit commenced. By 1988, the deposit had been almost completely mined. In June of 1989 the Claude open pit mine was depleted of ore and mining ceased.
In 1994, Cogema Resources flew a GEOTEM survey which covered the showing (AF 74K-0012).
On 2 September 2002, Areva Resources Canada Inc. converted ML 5186 to S-107001.
- Production History
- Production Period: 1989-01-01 to 1989-12-31
(open pit)
In June of 1989, mining ceased due to depletion of ore. In total, the deposit produced 2,348 tonnes U
Summary:
- Uranium: 2,438.00 tonnes
Production Period: 1985-01-01 to 1985-12-31
(open pit)
100,500.00 tonnes
In 1985, 100,500 tonnes of ore grading 0.54% U3O8 were mined
Summary:
- Uranium @ 0.54 %
Production Period: 1982-01-01 to 1982-12-31
(open pit)
36,000.00 tonnes
In 1982, test open pit mining of the deposit commenced. In 1982, 36,000 tonnes of ore averaging 0.58% U3O8, were mined. In 1983, production mining commenced.
Summary:
- Uranium @ 0.58 %
- Reserves and/or Resources
- 1984-01-01
Proven reserves of the Claude orebody are given as 1,000,000 tonnes ore containing 5,000 tonnes U3O8.
Summary:
Historic proven reserve of 1,000,000.00 tonne
- Uranium: 5,000.00 tonne