Geochemical characteristics and genesis of sandstone-type uranium deposits, Sierra Pintada District, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract

The genesis of sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Cochicó Group (Permian, Permian-Triassic) at Sierra Pintada, the most importánt uranium district in Argentina, has been studied. The uranium source and its transport and precipitation proccsses are discussed, as well as the geochemical characteristics of the environment, where uraninite and brannerite, the.main uranium minerals, are associated to the matrix of the sandstone.