Core Spectral Technology in Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits of Basins in Northern China: Applications and Challenges—A Review

Sandstone-type uranium deposits represent one of the most significant uranium deposit types in China, predominantly hosted in Meso-Cenozoic sedimentary basins in the northern part of the country. Due to characteristics such as deep burial of orebodies, fine grain size of ores, and strong heterogeneity, traditional geological logging methods have limitations in rapidly and accurately identifying alteration minerals and mineralization indicator information. Core spectral technology (wavelength range approximately 400–2500 nm), particularly short-wave infrared spectroscopy (SWIR, 1300–2500 nm), enables rapid, non-destructive, and quantitative extraction of alteration mineral information from drill cores. This provides robust technical support for reconstructing metallogenic environments, delineating oxidation–reduction zones, and prospecting and prediction in sandstone-type uranium deposits. This review systematically examines the spectral absorption characteristics and geological significance of key alteration minerals (e.g., clay minerals, carbonate minerals, iron oxides, and hydrocarbon substances) in sandstone-type uranium deposits. It elaborates on the current application status of core spectral technology in sandstone-type uranium exploration within typical basins in northern China, such as the Ordos, Songliao, Erlian, and Qaidam Basins. These applications include alteration mineral mapping, oxidation–reduction zone delineation, and metallogenic fluid tracing. Due to the unique characteristics of host rock lithology, alteration mineral assemblages, and fluid properties in sandstone-type uranium deposits, the application of this technology also faces certain challenges, such as difficulties in spectral interpretation and insufficient accuracy in quantitative inversion. Integrating this technique with multiple methods, including petrography and X-ray diffraction (XRD), will facilitate more effective applications in both metallogenic research and prospecting practices for sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern China.