NIOBIUM-ZIRCONIUM-THORIUM-URANIUM AND RARE-EARTH MINERALS FROM THE PEGMATITES OF SOUTH HARRIS, OUTER HEBRIDES

Journal Article · Sat Jan 24 04:00:00 EST 1959 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/183255b0· OSTI ID:4260004

von Knorring, O; Dearnley, R

Information is presented on mineral occurrences in the Chiapaval and Roneval pegmatites of South Harris, Scotland. The Chiapaval pegmatite vein consists of microcline, albite, and quartz, with a subordinate amount of muscovite as the major mica constituent. Of the minor minerals. topaz, beryl, block-tourmaline, and garnet have been found; the latter mineral seems to be quite abundant locally and was found to contain some 20 per cent of manganese monoxide. In addition, the following minerals have been found: columbite; thorite; uraninite; kasolite; a mineral with an x-ray diffraction pattern almost identical with kasolite, but predominantly a thorium--lead silicate; betafite; zircon; monazite; allanite; and gahnite. The Sletteval pegmatite quarries, east of Roneval, were examined; but apart from apatite no unusual minerals were observed. A pegmatite northeast of Sletteval contained numerous magnetite aggregates which were found to be quite radioactive. Laboratory investigation showed that this pegmatite contained uraninite, thorite, monazite, uranophane, and epidote, together with metamict zircon and allanite, and minor spessartine and pyrites. (J.H.M.)

• Research Organization: The University, Leeds, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-13-007636
• OSTI ID: 4260004
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 183
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALBITE
ALUMINUM SILICATES
BERYL
BERYLLIUM SILICATES
CALCIUM SILICATES
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY
MANGANESE OXIDES
MICA
MICROCLINE
MINERALS
MONAZITES
NIOBIUM COMPOUNDS
PEGMATITES
POTASSIUM SILICATES
QUANTITY RATIO
QUARTZ
RARE EARTHS
SODIUM SILICATES
THORIUM ORES
THORIUM SILICATES
TOPASE
TOURMALINE
UNITED KINGDOM
URANINITES
URANIUM MINERALS
ZINC OXIDES
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM SILICATES