Uraninite - Mi Vida Mine, Lisbon Valley Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

UO₂

Uraninite from the Mi Vida Mine, located in the Lisbon Valley uranium district of Utah, represents some of the most significant uranium ore discovered during the American uranium boom of the mid-20th century. Unlike disseminated uranium mineralization, solid Uraninite from this mine occurs as dense, metallic-black masses with a high uranium content, often found within the region's sandstone-hosted deposits. This material was crucial to the early uranium mining efforts that fueled both energy production and nuclear research. Due to its purity and density, Mi Vida Mine Uraninite is highly radioactive and exhibits strong responses on Geiger counters and scintillation detectors.

The Mi Vida Mine, discovered by prospector Charlie Steen in 1951, was a game-changer for U.S. uranium production, helping to establish the Lisbon Valley as a major uranium district. Specimens of solid Uraninite from this historic site are not only geologically significant but also hold historical value as remnants of America’s Cold War-era mining boom. Today, these pieces are highly sought after by collectors of uranium minerals and mining artifacts, serving as tangible links to one of the most pivotal discoveries in uranium mining history.

This specimen has been cut and coated in resin by the original owner.

Approx. specimen size: 60mm x 40mm x 11 mm

Approx. specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP: 180 000 cpm