Exploring for sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in paleovalleys and paleochannels

Significant sandstone-uranium deposits are located in fluvial (or river) sediments filling ancient river channels known as paleochannels. These often occur within buried valley systems cut into bedrock which are known as paleovalleys. This article briefly outlines the geology of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in paleovalleys and paleochannels in the Lake Frome region (Australia) and Mountain Valley and White Canyon districts (USA). Uranium deposits in the two areas are commonly localized at the confluences and intersections of channels and/or near bends. It is possible that the location of deposits at these sites is caused by several inter-related factors such as the presence of basement scours, predominance of coarse-grained sediments, and abundance of organic material.