Structural analysis and mineral association of the Matoush uranium deposit, Otish Basin, Quebec
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Date
2015
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
The Matoush deposit is situated 260 km north east of Chibougamau in the Otish
Basin, north of the Grenville Front in the Superior Province. The deposit is hosted in the
Proterozoic Indicator Formation, which comprises conglomerates, conglomeratic
sandstones and sub-arkosic sandstones. The deposit is structurally controlled by the
Matoush Fault, which strikes 007° and dips 85°£. Mineralization is primarily uraninite
lenses pitching 45°S on the fault surface.
Tourmaline and eskolaite are the phases most commonly associated with the
uranium mineralization. The uranium mineralization is spatially linked with chromium
rich mineral phases, which is bolstered by the three-dimensional distribution of the
mineral phases showing a strong zonation centered on the high grade uranium
mineralization.
Measurements were collected for sets of structural elements in order to establish
the relationship of mineralization to deformation features. Fracture orientations indicate
that the Matoush Fault is the dominant control. Similarly, veins show a clear correlation
with the Matoush Fault.
Fault-fluid interaction has affected element transport and concentration.
However, spatial distribution and localization of uranium mineralization defies
characterization by simple geometric relationships.