Abstract

The most common uranium minerals are uraninite, coffinite and ningyoite. From a mineralogical point of view, anthraxolite is particularly interesting because it is a mixture of bitumen, uraninite and a small amount of coffinite while its composition has been significantly influenced by radiation metamorphism. As a mineral, it is light, hard, crumble, black in color with a brownish cut, matte sheen and a conchoidal fracture. Anthraxolite is always bound to the accumulation of uraninite, often metasomatically replacing uraninite. In the case of uranium deposit in Příbram, Czech Republic, the anthraxolite formation is the result of the transformation of organic matter into bitumens in the sediments of the Upper Proterozoic and Lower Cambrian, mobilization and transport of these bitumens by hydrothermal fluids into uranium deposit, and - after incorporation of uraninite particles / fragments - the radiation effect of uranium radionuclides causing the polycondensation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the bituminous mass and a change in its properties.

Keywords:Minerals; Uranium; Chemical composition; Coal