Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Ores containing Uranium ( No Answer,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Ores containing Uranium
Category: Science > Earth Sciences
Asked by: davidcrawley-ga
List Price: $30.00
Posted: 27 Jan 2004 02:46 PST
Expires: 26 Feb 2004 02:46 PST
Question ID: 300650
I need a list of say 20 common mineral ores or rocks that are traded
that contain Urainium. We are looking for ores that are not used for
their uranium content (for example coal may contain uranium but it is
not traded for its uranium content). I need the correct technical name
of the rock or ore and the approximate concentration of Uranium. I
need references for all of them.

Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 27 Jan 2004 03:50 PST
Do mean 'ores' as the types of deposits uranium can be found in? I
found one list naming 14 kinds of deposits in which uranium can be
found. Are you also looking for places where uranium can be found?

Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 27 Jan 2004 04:54 PST
Hello again Davidcrawley,
After learning what ores are in my searching, I have a better idea of
the topic. I have found so far nine ore types, and am looking for
more. One question of my own: I have encountered a mineral called
tobernite, and there is a similarly named ore called meta-tobernite.
Will I consider these two different ore types, or part of the same ore
type?

Clarification of Question by davidcrawley-ga on 27 Jan 2004 06:40 PST
Please note that the second sentence of the question states:

"We are looking for ores that are not used for their uranium content."

We are looking for ores or rocks, any ores or rocks, that usually are
associated with uranium. The first sentence of the question states we
are looking for "common" ores.

For Example:

Granite is a very common rock and it almost always contains uranium.
It is not usually traded for its uranium content but it usually
contains urainium. Malachite is a very common rock and it is traded,
but not for its uranium content. Tantalite and columbite are ores.
They are natural ores of tantalum but they almost always contains
uranium. We are looking for other similar examples particularly
materials that are commonly traded.

Tobernite is not what we are looking for as it is traded for its
Uranium content  and really isn't particularly common.

We want to be able to argue, it is very common to ship <****> and
<****> contains uranium. Why can't we ship our tantalite just because
it contains a small amount of uranium?


**** substitute common uranium containing material here such such as granite.

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 27 Jan 2004 09:49 PST
Hello David,

I found a reference containing concentration data for the following materials:

-----

Average uranium contents expressed in parts per million

Crustal abundance 2
Shale 3.2
Sea water 0.003 
Sandstone 2.2
Basalt 0.5 
Limestone 1.3
Andesite 2 
Granite 4

-----

Is this the type of information you're seeking?

If so, how many materials would you expect to have documented?  (that
is, are the six minerals listed here adequate, and if not, how many
more are needed).

Are there particular minerals/ores you want the data for?

I look forward to hearing from you on this.

Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 27 Jan 2004 23:00 PST
Davidcrawley,
What I found is something like this:

Quadrivalent Uranium Minerals:
Brannerite 
Coffinite
Cousinite 
Ishikawaite
Lermontovite
Mourite

or:

Minerals with uranium as minor consituent:
Ashanite 
Betafite 
Calciosamarskite 
Cheralite-(Ce)
Davidite-(Ce)

I was unable to find the uranium content of each mineral, nor
information on whether they are traded. I will keep searching.

Clarification of Question by davidcrawley-ga on 28 Jan 2004 01:51 PST
pafalafa-ga is getting the right sort of idea. Things like granite,
shale and sandstone are very common rocks that contain uranium. The
question requests 20 such ores or rocks. A five star answer would
include other materials that are frequently traded that typically have
an even higher uranium content (ie higher than just 4 parts per
million). A five star answer would also include at least some common
ores (note the definition of ore given).

Things like seawater are of limited use in posing our argument because
it isn't usual to trade seawater. (I can't really say to my customs
official that the last seawater trade he authorised contained
urainium).

techtor-ga is getting closer to the mark with things like Ashanite but
I really think you have the thrust of what you are doing wrong.
Remember we are looking for common ores or rocks, ashenite is I
believe only found on one place on earth and really isn't used as an
ore.

An ore may be defined as:

A natural aggregate of one or more minerals that can be mined and
profitably sold under current conditions, or from which one or more
minerals can be profitably extracted.
www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/scho-ecol/glos_e.htm

Note it is a natural product and is therefore rarely a pure mineral
with a single chemical structure. It seems to me that techtor-ga is
looking for **minerals** (not ores or rocks) which have Uranium as
part of their pure chemical structure. I am guessing that you are
unlikely to find many common ores or rocks this way. Granite's pure
chemical structure doesn't contain uranium, but naturally occouring
granite almost always does. Can you see the difference?

Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 28 Jan 2004 02:59 PST
Davidcrawley,
Thanks for this clarification. It certainly makes things a lot
clearer. Rest assured Pafalafa and I know what you are looking for,
and either one of us might be able to find it. Just hold on there.

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 29 Jan 2004 13:15 PST
Hello David,

Just to keep you up-to-date, I wanted to let you know that I have some
queries out to folks in the USGS and elsewhere.  If I get any
meaningful responses, I hope to be able to post an answer to your
question.

Stay tuned...

pafalafa-ga
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Ores containing Uranium
From: techtor-ga on 29 Jan 2004 10:24 PST
 
Hello Davidcrawley,
It seems difficult to pinpoint which ore containing uranium is being
traded for non-uranium uses. Perhaps other researchers will have more
luck.
Subject: Re: Ores containing Uranium
From: davidcrawley-ga on 30 Jan 2004 01:54 PST
 
Thanks for all your work both of you. I look forward to any answers you might have.

Cheers

David

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy