Uranium mine near Moab, Utah
Extremely radioactive black uraninite pitchblende may be found on the numerous abandoned mine dumps around Moab, Utah, which became the “uranium capital” of the United States after a discovery in the 1950s. This short video sweeps across the picturesque vistas seen from the Shinarump Mines about 7 miles north of Moab, then zooms in on a chunk of pitchblende that has just been located with a scintillation detector. The chunk shown is representative of the heavy vein pitchblende found in the Triassic Chinle conglomerate. Some of this pitchblende exceeds 80% uranium by weight.
Thanks for the pointers. I’m taking Geology in College right now. And radioactive minerals and artifacts are very interesting to me.
do you store samples in lead lined containers? Im thinking of making a trip out there. I have a CRM-100 detector. I just want a couple samples, and will leave them in a shed outside. Just dont feel comfy with uranium in my bedroom haha
the coordinates ? on google earth i don’t found right point of shinarump , no result match
what a nice find 🙂
What are u doing with it at home?
Why not a sodium iodide detector?
Wish i lived out there near that. Planning a trip out there, is october a bad time of year to go and collect? I live closer to that deposit in up there in virginia but read on your blog that its concentracins were lower and I wouldn’t have any idea on how to chemicly extract it. Its also private property and I wouldn’t want to step on any toes.
You can get a decent one such as the Gamma Scout for about $500.
The chunk of uranium he found isn’t too dangerous as long as he keeps it outdoors or in a well ventilated area. It will off-gas radon. The danger in handling uranium ore is not from touching it, but inhaling or ingesting the dust. It’s about as chemically toxic as lead and the radioactive dust can do more harm if lodged inside the body.
Went out to the Shinarump mine area off Cotter Mine road this week. Snagged three marble sized ore specimens.
Is truth that actually there are high levels of radiation in Utah because of 1950’s atomic tests??? What about the "The Conqueror" movie curse???, in a 1956 H. Hughes movie starred by J. Wayne, almost all producers and actors died of Cancer some years before, because they stayed for 3 months making the movie in Utah near to Nevada Nuclear Test site.
How do you get permission? Is it BLM land?
can you please pinpoint the exact location of where you are standing. Thanks. your friend Kyle.
WOW, NICE! I like that Bismuth Germanate (BGO) scintillator probe on the Ludlum! BGO crystals will glow a bright aqua color when exposed to X- and Gamma ray wavelengths. I’d love to go back to Colorado. There’s a lot of Uranium there too. I used to go there all the time when I was young, but now that I’m older and into radioactivity, I can’t go back! Anyways, that Uraninite is HOT! I have some hot specimens, not sure if any of mine are that hot! NICE FIND! Very inspiring and interesting! THANKS!
My carnotite mineral is for Utah
you can do fun stuff with uranium ore, put it in a bucket of water and wach the soft blue halo arround the rock, add phosphorous and wach it glow green!
Enrich it until weapons grade and sell it for some big money to Iran.
@magicstix0r does not answer my question at all…most states have laws preventing one from acquiring radioactive materials at will regardless of their quantity or composition without some kind of license…
I was interested what restrictions do the US laws apply…pretty sure there still are some…
@AKAtheA Because in America individuals have rights and are citizens. We don’t have "privileges" nor are we subjects.
@AKAtheA Feel free to cite sources backing up the statement "most states have laws preventing one from acquiring radioactive materials at will regardless of their quantity or composition without some kind of license"
The gamma scout is way overpriced for what it is…
I have stood right were you’re standing. Just knowing your surrounded by such history, mines, and beautiful scenery makes anyone want to visit.
How is the US law tolerant to collecting collecting radioactive material? Especially the "juicy" ones as in the vid…
Nice find