Choir Depression
Encyclopedia
The Choir Depression is a depression
near Choir, Mongolia. It is about 150 km long and 10 to 20 km wide, about 500 m lower than the surrounding upland. It lies at an altitude of 1269 m.
Uranium
prospecting began in the Choir Depression in 1955, and the Haraat deposit (of uranium trioxide
), identified in 1970, began major drilling in 1988. Following new discoveries in 1997, there is estimated to be 18 million pounds of uranium trioxide in the depression. In early 1994, the area was licensed to the Gurvan Saihan Joint Venture, with a 70% interest by Denison Mines
, and 15% each from the Mongolian government and a Russian state geological concern. Rail lines connect the Trans-Mongolian Railway
with the mine.
Depression (geology)
A depression in geology is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. Depressions may be formed by various mechanisms.Structural or tectonic related:...
near Choir, Mongolia. It is about 150 km long and 10 to 20 km wide, about 500 m lower than the surrounding upland. It lies at an altitude of 1269 m.
Uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
prospecting began in the Choir Depression in 1955, and the Haraat deposit (of uranium trioxide
Uranium trioxide
Uranium trioxide , also called uranyl oxide, uranium oxide, and uranic oxide, is the hexavalent oxide of uranium. The solid may be obtained by heating uranyl nitrate to 400 °C. Its most commonly encountered polymorph, γ-UO3, is a yellow-orange powder.-Production and use:There are three methods...
), identified in 1970, began major drilling in 1988. Following new discoveries in 1997, there is estimated to be 18 million pounds of uranium trioxide in the depression. In early 1994, the area was licensed to the Gurvan Saihan Joint Venture, with a 70% interest by Denison Mines
Denison Mines
Denison Mines Corp. is a Canadian uranium exploration, development, and production company. Founded by Stephen B. Roman, and best known for its uranium mining in Elliot Lake, it later diversified into coal, potash, and other projects....
, and 15% each from the Mongolian government and a Russian state geological concern. Rail lines connect the Trans-Mongolian Railway
Trans-Mongolian Railway
The Trans-Mongolian Railway connects Ulan-Ude, on the Trans-Baikal railway in Russia, with the Chinese city of Jining, by way of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia....
with the mine.