Geological and Mineralogical Studies of U-Th-Bearing Pegmatites at Gabal Suwair and Gabal Khosh Daba Area, Saint Catherine, South Central Sinai, Egypt

A significant discovery of uranium and thorium mineralization has been identified in the pegmatites of Gabal Suwair and Gabal Khosh Daba, located north of St. Katherine city in South-Central Sinai, Egypt. These pegmatites, among the youngest outcropped rocks in the region, exhibit high levels of equivalent uranium (eU) and thorium (eTh), with maximum values reaching 670 ppm and 180 ppm at Gabal Khosh Daba, respectively, and 520 ppm and 330 ppm at Gabal Suwair. The study reveals distinct mineralogical characteristics: zoned pegmatites contain primary uranium minerals like uraninite, brannerite, and carnotite, suggesting a syngenetic origin during magmatic processes, while unzoned pegmatites host secondary uranium minerals such as samarskite, betafite, and uranothorite, likely formed through hydrothermal activity. This research highlights the potential of the Saint Catherine area for uranium and thorium exploration, contributing valuable insights into the geological and mineralogical diversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

NASR, M. (2021). GEOLOGICAL AND MINERALOGICAL STUDIES OF U-Th-BEARING PEGMATITES AT GABAL SUWAIR AND GABAL KHOSH DABA AREA, SAINT CATHERINE, SOUTH CENTRAL SINAI, EGYPT. Nuclear Sciences Scientific Journal, 10(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.21608/nssj.2021.266334