The Occurrence of Uranium (Radio-Active) Ores and Other Rare Metals and Minerals in South Australia

One of the first efforts to map South Australia’s uranium deposits.

South Australia’s first uranium production occurred in 1906, as a by-product of the radium extracted from the appropriately-named Radium Hill. Uses for uranium were limited, restricted largely to the manufacture of glass and ceramics, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that extraction began on an industrial scale (for obvious reasons). Today, South Australia is estimated to hold nearly a quarter of the world’s uranium reserves.

This early report outlining the region’s radio-active mineral deposits was compiled by Lionel C. E. Gee and published in Adelaide by R.E.E. Rogers in 1911. The recent discovery of additional uranium deposits near Mount Painter the year prior prompted further British geologic exploration and this resulting volume.

Twelve pages of text and photographs outline the various findings. A folding map by H.Y.L. Brown and printed by A. Vaughan shows the specific location of uranium ore discoveries referenced in the accompanying report.