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El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australiai
Regional Level Types
El Sherana mineMine
South Alligator RiverRiver
West Arnhem RegionRegion
Northern TerritoryTerritory
AustraliaCountry

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PhotosMapsSearchMineralogy
04288800017272070798891.jpg
Photo of Book Cover

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
02614960017272070806787.jpg
Uraninite being loaded

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
04003000017272070818737.jpg
Metatorbernite, etc.

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
04288800017272070798891.jpg
Photo of Book Cover

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
02614960017272070806787.jpg
Uraninite being loaded

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
04003000017272070818737.jpg
Metatorbernite, etc.

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
00520570017272070822687.jpg
Photo of Book Cover

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
02614960017272070806787.jpg
Uraninite being loaded

El Sherana mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
13° 30' 33'' South , 132° 31' 14'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
-13.50932,132.52067
GRN:
S10E91
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
Aw : Tropical savanna, wet
Mindat Locality ID:
41615
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:41615:2
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
El Sherana West mine


El Sherana was the largest producer of high-grade uranium ore amongst the mines along the South Alligator River valley, totalling 38,400 tonnes for El Sherana and 21,300 tonnes for El Sherana West mine. They were underground and open-cut operations.

The ore consisted of massive pods and disseminated veinlets of pitchblende, with secondary metatorbernite, autunite, gummite, and gold, with minor pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. The ore was hosted by the carbonaceous shale of the Koolpin Formation, within 45 metres of the contact with the unconformably overlying Carpentarian Sandstone.

A camp was constructed for these and nearby mines consisting of dongas for single men, and a few cottages for families. A gravity separation plant was constructed in 1956, 2 kilometres west of the camp. A 1992 inspection stated they were all in poor condition, and shortly after were dismantled and buried on-site.

The mine was a uranium producer with some gold and silver. It was discovered in 1954, by a team led by Joe Fischer. The mine name is a combination of a team member's daughters' names. It operated from 1954 to 1964, and the site rehabilitated across 1988 to 1992, leaving little but some bare ground. It was operated by United Uranium NL. In 1959 it purchased a former gold mining processing plant at Moline, 50 kilometres to the west and ore was trucked there to be processed.

In the 1980s, an exploration focus was made on El Sherana, Palette and Coronation Hill mines for gold, platinum, and palladium. These metals are found in haloes around the uranium mineralised areas. Opposition from local indigenous groups and conservationists prevented mining in what was by then the Kakadu National Park, which had expanded into the area.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List


24 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Anglesite
Formula: PbSO4
ⓘ Autunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
ⓘ Becquerelite
Formula: Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
ⓘ Berzelianite
Formula: Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)
ⓘ Carnotite
Formula: K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ Dewindtite
Formula: H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
ⓘ Dumontite
Formula: Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ Heisenbergite
ⓘ Kasolite
Formula: Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
ⓘ Meta-autunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
ⓘ Metatorbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Metazeunerite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Native Gold
Formula: Au
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ 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
ⓘ 'UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbU'
Formula: Ca-Pb-U-As-O-H
ⓘ 'UM1960-07-SiO:CaHU'
Formula: Ca-U-Si-O-H
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Vandendriesscheite
Formula: PbU7O22 · 12H2O

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Gold1.AA.05Au
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘBerzelianite2.BA.20Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘUraninite
var. Pitchblende		4.DL.05UO2
ⓘ4.DL.05UO2
ⓘHeisenbergite4.GA.25
ⓘBecquerelite4.GB.10Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
ⓘVandendriesscheite4.GB.40PbU7O22 · 12H2O
ⓘCarnotite4.HB.05K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘRutherfordine5.EB.05(UO2)CO3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘAnglesite7.AD.35PbSO4
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘAutunite8.EB.05Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
ⓘ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
ⓘMetazeunerite8.EB.10Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘThreadgoldite8.EB.20Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
ⓘDewindtite8.EC.10H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
ⓘDumontite8.EC.15Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘSoddyite9.AK.05(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
ⓘKasolite9.AK.15Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Unclassified
ⓘ'UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbU'-Ca-Pb-U-As-O-H
ⓘ'UM1960-07-SiO:CaHU'-Ca-U-Si-O-H

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Hⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Hⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Hⓘ DewindtiteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
Hⓘ DumontitePb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
Hⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Hⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Hⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 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ⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Hⓘ UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbUCa-Pb-U-As-O-H
Hⓘ UM1960-07-SiO:CaHUCa-U-Si-O-H
CCarbon
Cⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ AnglesitePbSO4
Oⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Oⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Oⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Oⓘ DewindtiteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
Oⓘ DumontitePb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
Oⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Oⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Oⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
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ⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Oⓘ UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbUCa-Pb-U-As-O-H
Oⓘ UM1960-07-SiO:CaHUCa-U-Si-O-H
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
SiSilicon
Siⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ Soddyite(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Siⓘ UM1960-07-SiO:CaHUCa-U-Si-O-H
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Pⓘ DewindtiteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
Pⓘ DumontitePb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
Pⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Pⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Pⓘ SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Pⓘ ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O
Pⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
SSulfur
Sⓘ AnglesitePbSO4
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
KPotassium
Kⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
CaCalcium
Caⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Caⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Caⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Caⓘ UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbUCa-Pb-U-As-O-H
Caⓘ UM1960-07-SiO:CaHUCa-U-Si-O-H
VVanadium
Vⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
CuCopper
Cuⓘ BerzelianiteCu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Cuⓘ MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Cuⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
AsArsenic
Asⓘ MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Asⓘ UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbUCa-Pb-U-As-O-H
SeSelenium
Seⓘ BerzelianiteCu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)
AuGold
Auⓘ Native GoldAu
PbLead
Pbⓘ AnglesitePbSO4
Pbⓘ DewindtiteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
Pbⓘ DumontitePb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS
Pbⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Pbⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Pbⓘ UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbUCa-Pb-U-As-O-H
UUranium
Uⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Uⓘ BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
Uⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Uⓘ DewindtiteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O
Uⓘ DumontitePb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O
Uⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Uⓘ Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Uⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Uⓘ MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 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ⓘ VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2O
Uⓘ UM1960-01-AsO:CaHPbUCa-Pb-U-As-O-H
Uⓘ UM1960-07-SiO:CaHUCa-U-Si-O-H

Other Databases

Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Sherana

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.
Ryan, B., Tims, S. (1988) Radiation Surveys of the El Sherana Camp Site and Sleisbeck Pit and Waste Rock Piles, Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region, Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (May 1988): Internal Report 284.
Waggitt, P. (2004) A History of Uranium Mill Tailings Management in Northern Australia, Office of the Supervising Scientist, Department of Environment and Heritage, Northern Territory Government (Feb 29 - Mar 4 2004): WM04 Conference Tucson Arizona.
Henry, D.A., Pogson, R.E., Williams, P.A. (2005) Threadgoldite from the South Alligator Valley Uranium Field, Northern Territory, Australia: second world occurrence. Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 11, 7-11.
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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