How is an iron bearing mineral Rock plateau

likely to change over millions of years

Although the US has perennially imported over 90% of its uranium ore from foreign sources, the Paradox Basin in the Colorado Plateau is seen as an important source for US uranium supplies (Figure 5.2), which are mined for use in nuclear energy. These uranium deposits occur largely as "roll-front" deposits, in which groundwater leaches uranium from the source rock (usually igneous or metamorphic basement rock or volcanic ash deposits), and carries it through a porous and permeable rock, typically sandstone or conglomerate. Uranium oxide minerals are precipitated when the uranium-bearing groundwater is reduced by contact with organic materials within the rock. The uranium minerals carnotite and coffinite account for the majority of the ores in these deposits. Vanadium minerals such as corvurite and doloresite are also found with these ores. Most commonly, the region's uranium - and vanadium-bearing minerals are hosted in fluvial and lacustrine sandstones and limestones of the Triassic Chinle, Jurassic Morrison and Todilto, and Cretaceous Dakota formations. Lithium, a major component of hightech batteries, is recovered from the Paradox Basin.

Of the US states, New Mexico currently ranks second in uranium resources after Wyoming. Most of the state's deposits are located in the Grants Mineral Belt to the northwest, although no mining has taken place there since 2002. Other major uranium deposits are found near Moab, Utah in the Paradox Basin; on the San Rafael Swell in central Utah; and near Uravan, Colorado, where the last uranium mine was closed in 2009 due to a drop in uranium prices. New mines are being planned for the Colorado Plateau should demand increase for nuclear power.