Uraninite (uranium oxide) is the main ore mineral of the radioactive element uranium, one of the more unusual metals produced in Cornwall. Uraninite occurs in very small amounts in the region’s granites and in associated veins. This specimen comes from South Terras Mine, near Grampound.
South Terras was originally an iron mine but uraninite was found there in the 1880s. A new mining company was formed and by 1890, 33 people were employed. Most of the ore was shipped to Germany for use in the coloured-glassmaking industry.
Marie Curie’s discovery of the element radium switched interest in South Terras Mine away from uranium. Early research suggested radium had profound health-giving properties and its value soared. In 1909 it was one of the most expensive substances in the world. In 1912 a new French company was registered to operate South Terras. One of Marie Curie’s colleagues, Dr. Marcel Pochon, superintended operations at the mine. It finally closed for the last time in the early 1930s.
Chemical Formula: UO2
Specimen no. TRURI: 1979.17.36
Location: South Terras, St Stephen-in-Brannel
Grid Reference: SW 935 924
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