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Uranium from the Chattanooga Shale. Some Problems Involved in Development.

Mutschler PH; Hill JJ; Williams BB

Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 8700, 1976 Feb; :1-85

10007860

The Bureau of Mines studied the Chattanooga Shale to determine the quantity and quality of the uranium resources present and to assess specific environmental effects of mining the shale. Geologic data and chemical analyses, mainly concerning a 12-county area of Tennessee, were compiled from previous published and unpublished reports. Uranium resources in the gassaway member of the Chattanooga Shale in this 12-county area were estimated to be between 4.2 and 5.1 million tons, contained in 76 to 91 billion tons of shale. These figures represent inground tonnages and do not allow for mining or processing losses. Depending upon efficiency of mining and processing systems, enough uranium could be available to satisfy a large part of the cumulative domestic and world demand through the year 2000. A model was developed which assesses the total tons or acres of shale to be mined if the gassaway member were to safisfy 1 percent of the United States demand for uranium in 1991. This partially demonstrates the environmental impact of mining the shale and is easily factorable to any specified demand.

Mining-industry; Metal-mining; Uranium-ore; Uranium-mining

19760201

IH; Information Circular

1976

PB-251986

A06

IC-8700

EFOC

Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 8700

TN; PA