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Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australiai
Regional Level Types
Nabarlek MineMine (Reclaimed)
West Arnhem RegionRegion
Northern TerritoryTerritory
AustraliaCountry

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PhotosMapsSearch
04012130017272070816983.jpg
Torbernite

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
09667950017653074317173.jpg
Metatorbernite

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
03376890017431749275263.jpg
Rutherfordine

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
09815160017367251591898.jpg
Torbernite

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
00007780017652566831083.jpg
Metatorbernite

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
06721050017429591478632.jpg
Rutherfordine

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
04012130017272070816983.jpg
Torbernite

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
09667950017653074317173.jpg
Metatorbernite

Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
12° 18' 35'' South , 133° 19' 25'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
-12.30973,133.32364
GRN:
S09E92
Type:
Mine (Reclaimed) - last checked 2023
Deposit first discovered:
1970
Köppen climate type:
Aw : Tropical savanna, wet
Mindat Locality ID:
41645
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:41645:3
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Nabarlek Uranium Mine


Uranium mine located 250 km E Darwin in the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve near Gunbalanya (Oenpelli).

Open cut started and completed in 1979.
Stockpiled ore processed from 1980 to 1988.

Mining occurred during an intense single 143 day period during the dry season of 1979. The ore stockpile was then processed over the next nine years. The remaining tailings were then placed back into the pit and the site rehabilitated.

Nabarlek was discovered by Queensland Mines in 1970, which also undertook the mining and processing of the ore.

The deposit is found in a gently undulating erosional plain in an embayment between the dissected Arnhem Land Plateau of Kombolgie Sandstone. The regolith is sandy loams, white sand, red-yellow clays, covered by layers of coarse siliceous sand and ironstone gravel.

The mineralisation is hosted by altered Fe-rich metapelites, comprising complexly folded Mg-chlorite and sericite schist, and amphibolites. The uranium is found in brecciated parts of the Nabarlek Shear, where it forms stringers, massive pods and encrustations of pitchblende.

The ore body is 250 metres long, averaging 7 metres wide, strikes 330 degrees and dips 30-45 degrees east.

There is a high grade central zone with low grade disseminated ore surrounding this. The primary ore in the upper part of the ore body is coffinite. Secondary ore minerals in the weathered zone close to the surface includes sklodowskite, rutherfordine, kasolite, curite, torbernite, and autunite.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List


34 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite
Formula: Na(AlSi3O8)
ⓘ 'Apatite'
Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ Arsenopyrite
Formula: FeAsS
ⓘ Autunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Brannerite
Formula: UTi2O6
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
ⓘ Cobaltite
Formula: CoAsS
ⓘ Coffinite
Formula: U(SiO4) · nH2O
ⓘ Covellite
Formula: CuS
ⓘ Curite
Formula: Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
ⓘ Digenite
Formula: Cu9S5
ⓘ Dolomite
Formula: CaMg(CO3)2
ⓘ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ Goethite
Formula: Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘ Graphite
Formula: C
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Ilmenite
Formula: Fe2+TiO3
ⓘ Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘ Kasolite
Formula: Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
ⓘ Marcasite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Metatorbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
References:
Steve Sorrell CollectionIdentified by Steve Sorrell: Visual Identification, Inferred (explain how)
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite
Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ Native Copper
Formula: Cu
ⓘ Prehnite
Formula: Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Rutherfordine
Formula: (UO2)CO3
ⓘ Rutile
Formula: TiO2
ⓘ Sklodowskite
Formula: Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
ⓘ Torbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
ⓘ 'Tourmaline'
Formula: AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende
Formula: UO2

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Copper1.AA.05Cu
ⓘGraphite1.CB.05aC
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘDigenite2.BA.10Cu9S5
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘCovellite2.CA.05aCuS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘMarcasite2.EB.10aFeS2
ⓘArsenopyrite2.EB.20FeAsS
ⓘCobaltite2.EB.25CoAsS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘGoethite4.00.Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘIlmenite4.CB.05Fe2+TiO3
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘRutile4.DB.05TiO2
ⓘBrannerite4.DH.05UTi2O6
ⓘUraninite
var. Pitchblende		4.DL.05UO2
ⓘ4.DL.05UO2
ⓘCurite4.GB.55Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘDolomite5.AB.10CaMg(CO3)2
ⓘRutherfordine5.EB.05(UO2)CO3
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘAutunite8.EB.05Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
ⓘTorbernite8.EB.05Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
ⓘMetatorbernite8.EB.10Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘCoffinite9.AD.30U(SiO4) · nH2O
ⓘSklodowskite9.AK.10Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
ⓘKasolite9.AK.15Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
ⓘEpidote9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘPrehnite9.DP.20Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
ⓘMuscovite
var. Illite		9.EC.15K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘKaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘAlbite9.FA.35Na(AlSi3O8)
Unclassified
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Tourmaline'-AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ'Apatite'-Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Hⓘ CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
Hⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Hⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Hⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Hⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Hⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ PrehniteCa2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
Hⓘ SklodowskiteMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
Hⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Hⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
BBoron
Bⓘ TourmalineAD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Cⓘ GraphiteC
Cⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Oⓘ BranneriteUTi2O6
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
Oⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Oⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Oⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Oⓘ IlmeniteFe2+TiO3
Oⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Oⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Oⓘ PrehniteCa2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
Oⓘ RutileTiO2
Oⓘ SklodowskiteMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
Oⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Oⓘ TourmalineAD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Oⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
FFluorine
Fⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
NaSodium
Naⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Mgⓘ SklodowskiteMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Alⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ PrehniteCa2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
Siⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Siⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ PrehniteCa2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ SklodowskiteMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Pⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Pⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Pⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
SSulfur
Sⓘ ArsenopyriteFeAsS
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ CobaltiteCoAsS
Sⓘ CovelliteCuS
Sⓘ DigeniteCu9S5
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
ClChlorine
Clⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
KPotassium
Kⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Caⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ PrehniteCa2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
Caⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
TiTitanium
Tiⓘ BranneriteUTi2O6
Tiⓘ IlmeniteFe2+TiO3
Tiⓘ RutileTiO2
FeIron
Feⓘ ArsenopyriteFeAsS
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ IlmeniteFe2+TiO3
Feⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
CoCobalt
Coⓘ CobaltiteCoAsS
CuCopper
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ CovelliteCuS
Cuⓘ Native CopperCu
Cuⓘ DigeniteCu9S5
Cuⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Cuⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
AsArsenic
Asⓘ ArsenopyriteFeAsS
Asⓘ CobaltiteCoAsS
PbLead
Pbⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS
Pbⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
UUranium
Uⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Uⓘ BranneriteUTi2O6
Uⓘ CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
Uⓘ CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
Uⓘ KasolitePb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
Uⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Uⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Uⓘ Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
Uⓘ SklodowskiteMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
Uⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Uⓘ UraniniteUO2

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

Ewers, G. R., Ferguson, John, Donnelly, T. H. (1983) The Nabarlek uranium deposit, Northern Territory, Australia; some petrologic and geochemical constraints on genesis. Economic Geology, 78 (5) 823-837 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.78.5.823
Wilde, A. R., Wall, V. J. (1987) Geology of the Nabarlek uranium deposit, Northern Territory, Australia. Economic Geology, 82 (5) 1152-1168 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.82.5.1152
Giblin, A. (2004) Alligator Rivers Uranium Deposits (Koongarra, Nabarlek and Ranger One) Northern Territory, CRC LEME (2004).
Polito, P. A.; Kyser, T. K.; Marlatt, J.; Alexandre, P.; Bajwah, Z.; Drever, G. (2004) Significance of Alteration Assemblages for the Origin and Evolution of the Proterozoic Nabarlek Unconformity-Related Uranium Deposit,Northern Territory, Australia. Economic Geology, 99 (1). 113-139 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.99.1.113
Wilde, Andy (2004) SIGNIFICANCE OF ALTERATION ASSEMBLAGES FOR THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE PROTEROZOIC NABARLEK UNCONFORMITY-RELATED URANIUM DEPOSIT, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA—A DISCUSSION. Economic Geology, 99 (5) 1041-1044 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.99.5.1041
Polito, P. A. (2004) SIGNIFICANCE OF ALTERATION ASSEMBLAGES FOR THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE PROTEROZOIC NABARLEK UNCONFORMITY-RELATED URANIUM DEPOSIT, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA--A REPLY. Economic Geology, 99 (5) 1045-1048 doi:10.2113/99.5.1045
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