| Abstract: | Abstract Recent geological work in South Australia has resulted in the discovery of a wide range of radioactive minerals, some of which are of economic value. Nearly all known groups of radioactive mineral have been found. Those, including both thorium and uranium rich varieties, are restricted to the Pre-Cambrian provinces and mostly to the Archaean. The minerals are discussed on the basis of both field mode of occurrence and chemical composition. Special mention is made of several minerals which are very rare and which, it is believed, are recorded herein for the first time in Australia. Extensive petrological and related mineragraphic investigation, coupled with field geological work during the past few years, has led to the discovery of an important genetic relationship between soda metasomatism and uranium-titanium metallization in South Australia. The reality of the so-called metamict state and of the mineral davidite is discussed and alternative suggestions are made. The inability of the mineralogist, with present equipment, to cope with many primary radioactive minerals is pointed out. |
