Uraninite and Gummite - Eldorado Mine, Port Radium, Northwest Territories, Canada

This specimen pairs primary uraninite with gummite, the orange to reddish-orange alteration product that forms as uraninite weathers and hydrates. The contrast between the black, pitchy uraninite and the bright secondary coloring makes it visually striking and shows the mineral’s alteration history on a single piece.

The Eldorado Mine at Port Radium, on the shore of Great Bear Lake, is one of Canada’s most historically important mineral localities. It was the site of a major radium and uranium discovery in the 1930s, and its production played a significant role in the Manhattan Project. The mine has been closed for decades, and specimens with solid provenance from this famous locality are increasingly hard to come by.

A strong piece for any collection of historically significant uranium localities, or for a Canadian suite built around the great mines of the north.

Approx. specimen size: 58,, x 50mm x 20mm

Approx specimen weight: 77.41 grams

Approx. specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP: 57000 CPM