page_title: Ore genesis
section_title: Uranium
hierarchical_section_title: Ore genesis / Genesis of common ores / Uranium
context_page_description: Various theories of ore genesis explain how the various types of mineral deposits form within the Earth's crust. Ore-genesis theories vary depending on the mineral or commodity examined.
  Ore-genesis theories generally involve three components: source, transport or conduit, and trap.
  Source is required because metal must come from somewhere, and be liberated by some process.
  Transport is required first to move the metal-bearing fluids or solid minerals into their current position, and refers to the act of physically moving the metal, as well as to chemical or physical phenomenon which encourage movement.
  Trapping is required to concentrate the metal via some physical, chemical, or geological mechanism into a concentration which forms mineable ore.
  The biggest deposits form when the source is large, the transport mechanism is efficient, and the trap is active and ready at the right time.
context_section_description: Uranium deposits are usually sourced from radioactive granites, where certain minerals such as monazite are leached during hydrothermal activity or during circulation of groundwater. The uranium is brought into solution by acidic conditions and is deposited when this acidity is neutralised. Generally this occurs in certain carbon-bearing sediments, within an unconformity in sedimentary strata. The majority of the world's nuclear power is sourced from uranium in such deposits.
  Uranium is also found in nearly all coal at several parts per million, and in all granites. Radon is a common problem during mining of uranium as it is a radioactive gas.
  Uranium is also found associated with certain igneous rocks, such as granite and porphyry. The Olympic Dam deposit in Australia is an example of this type of uranium deposit. It contains 70% of Australia's share of 40% of the known global low-cost recoverable uranium inventory.
caption: Citrobacter species can have concentrations of uranium in their bodies 300 times higher than in the surrounding environment.
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