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Rad Man Minerals

Parauranophane & Uranophane - Madawaska (Faraday) Mine, Faraday Township, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada

Parauranophane & Uranophane - Madawaska (Faraday) Mine, Faraday Township, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada

Regular price $62.00 USD
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  Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O                                   

Parauranophane and Uranophane: Faraday Mine, Ontario

The Faraday Mine, near Bancroft, Ontario, is a historically significant uranium mining site within the Grenville geological province. This area is well-known for its diverse mineralogy, including the presence of secondary uranium minerals such as uranophane and parauranophane. These minerals are closely related in composition and often occur together in uranium-rich oxidized zones.


Uranophane

  • Chemical Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)25H2O
  • Crystal System: Monoclinic.
  • Appearance:
    • Yellow to greenish-yellow in color.
    • Typically forms acicular (needle-like) or fibrous crystals, often in aggregates.
    • May display a silky or vitreous luster.
  • Formation:
    • Forms in oxidized environments from the alteration of primary uranium minerals such as uraninite.
    • Commonly found in association with water-rich zones that allow uranium to dissolve and reprecipitate.
  • Occurrence in Faraday Mine:
    • Found as secondary mineralization in the mine's oxidized uranium zones.
    • Associated with other secondary uranium minerals and silicates.

Parauranophane

  • Chemical Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)25H2O
  • Crystal System: Orthorhombic.
  • Appearance:
    • Similar in color to uranophane (yellow to greenish-yellow).
    • Crystals are typically prismatic or fibrous, resembling uranophane but with slight structural differences.
  • Formation:
    • A polymorph of uranophane, meaning it shares the same chemical composition but crystallizes in a different structure.
    • Occurs under similar environmental conditions as uranophane but may form in slightly varied geochemical conditions.
  • Occurrence in Faraday Mine:
    • Found alongside uranophane in oxidized zones of uranium deposits.
    • Typically coexists with other uranium-bearing secondary minerals.

Differences Between Uranophane and Parauranophane

  1. Crystal Structure:
    • Uranophane: Monoclinic.
    • Parauranophane: Orthorhombic.
  2. Formation:
    • Both form under similar conditions, but their structural differences reflect slight variations in their crystallization environments.
  3. Rarity:
    • Parauranophane is generally less common than uranophane and can be considered a rarer polymorph.

Faraday Mine Geological Context

  • Location: Near Bancroft, Ontario, a region famous for its mineral diversity.
  • Geology:
    • The Faraday Mine lies within the Grenville Province, a complex of metamorphic rocks rich in uranium deposits.
    • Primary uranium minerals (e.g., uraninite) occur in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks, which undergo oxidation to produce secondary minerals like uranophane and parauranophane.
  • Associated Minerals:
    • Other uranium-bearing minerals: Uraninite, autunite, torbernite.
    • Silicate and phosphate minerals: Quartz, apatite, fluorite.

Mineralogical Significance

  1. Scientific Importance:
    • Uranophane and parauranophane help geologists understand uranium mobility and the environmental conditions of uranium oxidation and deposition.
    • Their presence in secondary deposits aids in reconstructing the alteration history of primary uranium ores.
  2. Collector’s Interest:
    • These minerals are highly prized for their bright coloration, crystal habits, and association with historic uranium mining operations like the Faraday Mine.

Approx. specimen size: 45mm x 40mm x 25mm

Approx. specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP: 3300 cpm

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