Uraninite/Brannerite in Quartz/Pyrite Conglomerate - Stanleigh Mine, Gunterman Township, Elliot Lake area, Algoma District, Ontario, Canada

UO_{2        UTi2O6}

The Stanleigh Mine, located in Elliot Lake, Ontario, is part of one of the world's most significant uranium mining districts, renowned for its deposits of uraninite and brannerite. Uraninite, a primary uranium oxide mineral, appears as dense, black, metallic masses and grains within the quartz-pebble conglomerates of the Huronian Supergroup. This mineral was a major source of uranium for nuclear energy and weapons development during the mid-20th century, making Elliot Lake a focal point of the Canadian uranium industry. The Stanleigh Mine, as one of the key operations in the area, produced substantial quantities of uranium, contributing to both economic growth and advancements in nuclear technology.

Brannerite, a secondary uranium-titanium mineral, is frequently associated with uraninite in the Stanleigh Mine’s deposits. It forms as dark brown to black grains within the same geological formations, reflecting the complex geochemical environment that facilitated the concentration of uranium and titanium. Brannerite adds to the mineralogical diversity of the mine, and its occurrence highlights the interplay of primary and secondary mineralization processes in the region. Together, uraninite and brannerite from the Stanleigh Mine represent the rich uranium resources of the Elliot Lake district, underscoring its historical importance in mining and its contribution to the understanding of uranium geochemistry in sedimentary-hosted deposits.

Approx. specimen size: 75mm x 70mm x 35mm

Approx. specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP: 2150 cpm