Uranium deposits and occurrences in Iraq

Abstract EN

This is a review paper on the results of the extensive exploration for radioactive minerals in Iraq, based on previous reports and published papers.

The radiometric, geological and geochemical surveys carried out by the Nuclear Geology Department in the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission since 1966 and later continued by Iraq Geological Survey showed significant radioactivity related to uranium and partly to thorium in the Zagros Suture Zone, mostly related to acidic intrusions of igneous rocks (anorthosite) and associated metamorphic rocks (olivine marble).

The Qalat Diza region is the most prominent in this part of Iraq.

The Lower Miocene Euphrates Formation is found with remarkable radioactivity along the Hit – Abu Jir (Euphrates) Fault Zone and related to uranium hosted in carbonate rocks in the uppermost part of the formation.

The most prominent in this region is Abu Skhair uraniferrous deposit.

Numerous areas with anomalous radioactivity are found in the Western and Southern deserts related to Paleogene and Upper Cretaceous phosphorite exposures.

Several theories have been postulated to explain the source of syngenetic uranium enrichment in the Euphrates Formation along the Euphrates River, but it is agreed that successive oxidizing and reducing conditions were effective in the epigenetic uranium concentration in these carbonate rocks.

Detailed exploration in the Abu Skhair deposit led to the opening of an underground mine and to the development of an efficient uranium extraction process despite the poor grade of the deposit classified as a lean ore.

The results obtained so far point to the absence of commercial uranium deposits in Iraq, but the potential of phosphorites, as uranium-bearing rocks, is very significant.

Industrial experience at Al-Qaim fertilizers plant proved that uranium can be effectively and commercially extracted as a by-product during the production of phosphate fertilizers.