The degree of radioactivity within this interval is highly variable and associated with visible
pitchblende mineralization.
The assumption by that time was that
pitchblende's dramatic ionizing power was caused by a new, heretofore unknown element.
Preparation and analysis of synthetic sample of
Pitchblende ore sample
The Belgian Congo ore ("
pitchblende") that was processed downtown at Mallinckrodt Chemical Works averaged 60-65 percent uranium.
They consist of finely disseminated
pitchblende, with minor chalcopyrite, pyrite and galena.
These contain quartz and sulphide veins and are characterized by a collection of uranium minerals such as
pitchblende, coffinite, uraninite and black U-oxides (parapitchblende) (Arribas, 1962), being the
pitchblende usually replaced by sulphides, especially pyrite and melnikovite.
The cataclastites in the central part of the deposit are sometimes enriched in graphite and sulphides, and host uranium mineralization enriched in coffinite, partly also
pitchblende. In the southern part of the deposit, the OR-5 shear zone splits to a higher number of thinner shear zones (OR-5, OR-5a, OR-3, OR-3b) (Figs.
Pitchblende could be a symbol for Curie's dark and complex life: Embedded in both were elements of extraordinary brilliance and intensity.
LaBine found
pitchblende on the lake's eastern shore.
Its most common ore: a marblelike rock called
pitchblende.
[1] A 1946 stamp shows a photograph of Great Bear Lake, NWT, where
pitchblende was discovered by Gilbert A.