Proposed Title 1: - Queen's University

processes during continent-scale protracted tectonic evolution. Stages of uranium
mineralization and alteration events record over 2.3 Gyrs of tectonic history of the North
American shield. Results presented indicate that uraninite in major structures is greatly
sensitive to fluid events stimulated by both near- and far-field tectonic events. Therefore, it
can serve as vehicle to understand the complex timing relationships between fault
activities, hydrothermal and ore-forming processes, to regional thermotectonic events.
Six distinct stages of uranium mineralization associated with multiple postmineralization
alteration events are identified. The main event that hosts most of the
uranium mineralization occurred during the Trans-Hudson Orogen or more likely postpeak
Taltson-Thelon Orogen and is associated with far-field fault reactivation. This
deformational event produced widespread uranium-rich breccia zones that overprinted
early ductile and brittle-ductile shear zones and are the primary structural control for
uranium mineralization. Exploration activities should therefore be focused in areas of fault
zones that demonstrate evidence of tectonic reactivation that create dilatant areas, which
are favorable structural sites for fluid flow, hydrothermal alteration, and uranium
mineralization.
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