Some Geological Data on Atomic Energy Minerals in India

A brief account of the Indian Atomic Energy mineral occurrences with their genetic classification is presented in this paper.

Syngenetic radioactive minerals in small quantities occur in several pre-Cambrian granites and pegmatites, and in some syenites. Many pegmatites are an important source of beryl and to a lesser extent of lepidolite, only some carrying small pockets of radioactive minerals. High-intensity as well as low-temperature hydrothermal epigenetic mineralisation occurs in pre-Cambrian meta-sediments and associated intrusive granites generally of post-Algonkian age. Important uranium deposits are located in the Singhbhum Copper Belt, Bihar. Lately, two uranium occurrences have been discovered in the terra incognita of the Central Himalayas. The sedimentary formations of Peninsular India are essentially thoriferous; sporadic presence of uranium in very small amounts is reported only in a few rare instances, e.g., certain arkosic sandstones, laterites, coals, phosphatic nodules, etc. The problem of continuous replenishment of radium in the Tuwa hot spring, Gujarat, is discussed. The monazite-bearing placer deposits along the 2000 mile long Indian sea-board and some inland placers are described.