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Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australiai
Regional Level Types
Palette MineMine
South Alligator RiverRiver
West Arnhem RegionRegion
Northern TerritoryTerritory
AustraliaCountry

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PhotosMapsSearch
06767410017272032792732.jpg
Soddyite, etc.

Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
02135820017272032801221.jpg
Soddyite

Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
06767410017272032792732.jpg
Soddyite, etc.

Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
02135820017272032801221.jpg
Soddyite

Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
06767410017272032792732.jpg
Soddyite, etc.

Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
02135820017272032801221.jpg
Soddyite

Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
13° 32' 5'' South , 132° 33' 45'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
-13.53473,132.56237
GeoHash:
G#: qvw7080fr
GRN:
S10E91
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
Aw : Tropical savanna, wet
Mindat Locality ID:
13568
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:13568:2
GUID (UUID V4):
0


Uranium mine, worked from 1956 to 1957.

Produced 4 700 tonnes at 2.5% U3O8. Mined by United Uranium NL and the ore was processed at the El Sherana mill.

The ore consists of massive pods and disseminated veinlets of pitchblende in the carbonaceous shale of the Koolpin Formation near the contact with the overlying Carpentarian Sandstone. Phosphuranylite and uranophane are the most common secondary uranium minerals. Gold occurs in veins within pitchblende, with minor pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena.

The mine was described as having a lower and upper bench. The site has since been completely rehabilitated and nothing remains.

In the 1980's, the Palette, El Sherana and Coronation Hill sites were the focus of gold, platinum and palladium, which was located in halo's of mineralisation around the uranium mineralisation. Opposition from conservationists and the local indigenous tribe prevented further mining

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List


25 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ 'Apatite'
Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ Becquerelite
Formula: Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ Clausthalite
Formula: PbSe
ⓘ Coloradoite
Formula: HgTe
ⓘ Curite
Formula: Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Masuyite
Formula: Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O
ⓘ Meta-autunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
ⓘ Metatorbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Native Gold
Formula: Au
ⓘ Native Palladium
Formula: (Pd,Pt)
ⓘ Native Platinum
Formula: Pt
ⓘ Phosphuranylite
Formula: KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Rutherfordine
Formula: (UO2)CO3
ⓘ Saléeite
Formula: Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
ⓘ Soddyite
Formula: (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Threadgoldite
Formula: Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
ⓘ Torbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
ⓘ 'Tourmaline'
Formula: AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ 'UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbU'
Formula: Ca-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Uranophane
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
ⓘ Uranopilite
Formula: (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
ⓘ Vandendriesscheite
Formula: PbU7O22 · 12H2O

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Gold1.AA.05Au
ⓘNative Palladium1.AF.10(Pd,Pt)
ⓘNative Platinum1.AF.10Pt
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘColoradoite2.CB.05aHgTe
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘClausthalite2.CD.10PbSe
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘUraninite
var. Pitchblende		4.DL.05UO2
ⓘ4.DL.05UO2
ⓘBecquerelite4.GB.10Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
ⓘMasuyite4.GB.35Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O
ⓘVandendriesscheite4.GB.40PbU7O22 · 12H2O
ⓘCurite4.GB.55Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘRutherfordine5.EB.05(UO2)CO3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘUranopilite7.EA.05(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘSaléeite8.EB.05Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
ⓘTorbernite8.EB.05Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
ⓘMeta-autunite8.EB.10Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
ⓘMetatorbernite8.EB.10Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘThreadgoldite8.EB.20Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
ⓘPhosphuranylite8.EC.10KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘSoddyite9.AK.05(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
ⓘUranophane9.AK.15Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘvar. Sericite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Unclassified
ⓘ'Tourmaline'-AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ'Apatite'-Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ'UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbU'-Ca-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Hⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Hⓘ MasuyitePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O
Hⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Hⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Hⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Hⓘ Soddyite(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
Hⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Hⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Hⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Hⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Hⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Hⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
BBoron
Bⓘ TourmalineAD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
CCarbon
Cⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Oⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ MasuyitePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O
Oⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Oⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Oⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Oⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
Oⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Oⓘ Soddyite(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
Oⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Oⓘ TourmalineAD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Oⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Oⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Oⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Oⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Oⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
FFluorine
Fⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Mgⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
AlAluminium
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
Alⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Soddyite(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Siⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Siⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Pⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Pⓘ PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Pⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Pⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
Pⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Pⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
SSulfur
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
ClChlorine
Clⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
KPotassium
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Kⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Caⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Caⓘ PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Caⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Caⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Caⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
FeIron
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
CuCopper
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Cuⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
SeSelenium
Seⓘ ClausthalitePbSe
PdPalladium
Pdⓘ Native Palladium(Pd,Pt)
TeTellurium
Teⓘ ColoradoiteHgTe
PtPlatinum
Ptⓘ Native Palladium(Pd,Pt)
Ptⓘ Native PlatinumPt
AuGold
Auⓘ Native GoldAu
HgMercury
Hgⓘ ColoradoiteHgTe
PbLead
Pbⓘ ClausthalitePbSe
Pbⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS
Pbⓘ MasuyitePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O
Pbⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Pbⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H
UUranium
Uⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Uⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Uⓘ MasuyitePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O
Uⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Uⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Uⓘ PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Uⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Uⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
Uⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Uⓘ Soddyite(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Uⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
Uⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Uⓘ UraniniteUO2
Uⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Uⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Uⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Uⓘ UM1960-03-O:CaFeHMgPbUCa-Fe-Mg-Pb-U-O-H

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Australia
Australian PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Threadgold, I.M. (1960) The mineral composition of some uranium ores from the South Alligator River Area, Northern Territory. In CSIRO Mineragraphic Investigations Technical Paper No. 2. CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia. p.1-53.
Crohn, P.W. (1968): The Mines and Mineral Deposits of the Katherine-Darwin Region, Department of National Development/Bureau of Mineral Resources Geology and Geophysics, Commonwealth of Australia (1968): Bulletin 82.
McKay, A.D., Miezitisy, Y. (2001): Australia's Uranium Resource Geology and Development of Deposits, AGSO (2001): Geoscience Australia Mineral Resource Report 1.
Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., McMaster, S., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K. (2013) Chemical and micro-structural characterisation studies on natural uraninite and associated gangue minerals. Minerals Engineering, 45. 159-169 doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2013.02.004
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