Sandstone development and uranium mineralization in the lower member of the Xishanyao Formation, northern Zhajisitan, Yili Basin

In the light of a single-well section and a well-tie section and spatial distribution of the sandstones, the present paper focuses on the relationship between the sandstone development and uranium mineralization, and controls and effects of the sandstones on the uranium orebodies in the lower member of the Xishanyao Formation in the northern part of the Zhajisitan area, Yili Basin. The results of research in this study show that the uranium mineralization occurs in the areas with stable thickness, coarser grain sizes and well-developed porosity and permeability of the sandstones. The zones with variable sandstone configurations, i. e., the transitional parts where the sandbodies are thining out are believed to be the favourable zones for the uranium mineralization.