Uranium Potential of the Athabasca Basin in Northeastern Alberta
Uranium is a vast and usually cost-competitive source of nuclear energy. The primary use of nuclear energy is to generate electricity; more than 16% of the world's electricity is generated from uranium. About 8 kilograms of U-235 (a uranium isotope) generate the same electrical power as 20 million kilograms of coal. Uranium ores are widely distributed throughout the world, chiefly in Australia, Kazakhstan, Canada, Congo and the United States.
In Canada, the Early Proterozoic (approximately 1700 million years ago) Athabasca Basin that straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border is considered one of the most favourable places in the world for exploring and mining uranium. Uranium mineralization of the Athabasca Basin occurred near the unconformity between the crystalline basement and the clastic sediments of the Athabasca Group. The largest uranium mines in the world have been discovered within the Athabasca Basin. Information about uranium mining and exploration in Saskatchewan is available on the corporate websites of the two largest uranium miners in Saskatchewan: Cameco Corporation and Cogema, Inc.
In the Alberta portion of the Athabasca Basin, a notable prospect of uranium exists along the Maybelle River. At the base of the Athabasca Group, steep brittle fractures in sandstone host disseminated to high-grade uraninite (U3O8 concentrations up to 40% have been reported). Because of the recent doubling in spot uranium prices, large portions of the basin in northeastern Alberta, south of Lake Athabasca, were staked in 2002, and much of the geologically favourable land along the northern shore of the lake was staked in 2004. In addition to potentially important uranium deposits in Alberta's Athabasca Basin, there also exists potential for vein-type and Olympic Dam-type uranium deposits in the Precambrian basement rocks in northeastern Alberta.
Because of the increased exploration interest in uranium, the Alberta Geological Survey is currently conducting a multidisciplinary study of the Alberta portion of the Athabasca Basin and the adjacent crystalline basement.
Project Objectives
• Provide geoscience information to the mineral exploration community, government and general public.
• Enhance knowledge about the uranium potential of the province that may be needed by government agencies for informed decision-making.
• Raise public awareness of possible issues regarding uranium exploration and development.
Encouraging Premises for Uranium Exploration in Alberta
• The main stratigraphic units of the Athabasca Group associated with uranium deposits in Saskatchewan can be traced into Alberta.
• Lithological units in the crystalline basement underlying the Athabasca Group in Alberta, and their geochemical characteristics, are similar to Saskatchewan's highly prospective Wollaston Fold Belt.
Map with legend
Cross-Sections
Last modified: May 26, 2005