Mineral Evolution Database
Created and maintained by the Mineral Evolution Project in partnership with RRUFF and mindat.
Mineral locality data provided by mindat.org



The Mineral Evolution database is currently under development.

The goal of this page is to present localities at which the mineral is found, and estimates of the oldest possible geologic age of the minerals at these localities.


Locality Name:
West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia

Oldest recorded age at locality: 1953
Youngest recorded age at locality: 592

mindat Locality ID: 263589
mindat URL: http://www.mindat.org/loc-263589.html

Tectonic Settings:

Total number of sublocalities beneath "West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia": 30
Total number of bottom-level sublocalities: 26

Number of Child Localities: 4
Child Localities:
Alligator Rivers
Kakadu
Nabarlek Mine
South Alligator River

Latitude: 12°39'6"S
Longitude: 132°54'40"E
Decimal Degree (lat, lon): -12.651666666667,132.91111111111
AThis mineral is Anthropogenic.
GThis mineral is directly dated.
BThis mineral is reported as having this age.
YThis mineral is using an age reported as an element mineralization period.
OThis mineral is using an age calculated from all data at the locality.
RThe age displayed for this mineral originates from a different, non-child locality.
PThe age displayed for this mineral is the range of ages for this mineral at all of this locality's children.
This mineral's age has not yet been recorded.

This Mineral list contains entries from this locality, including sub-localities. Minerals in bold are reported by mindat.org as occurring directly at this locality, and do not occur at any children (sublocalities) of this locality.

Elements at this locality, including sub-localities: Al As Au C Ca Co Cu Fe H Hg K La Mg Na O P Pb Pd Pt S Sb Se Si Te Ti U V Zn Zr 

Elements from minerals reported directly at this locality: 

Structural Groups for minerals in this locality: 
AluniteAndalusiteArsenicArsenopyriteAutuniteBaryteBranneriteCalciteChalcopyriteClay
ClinozoisiteCobaltiteCopperCorundumCovelliteDiasporeDigeniteEpidoteFeldsparFluorite
JohanniteMarcasiteMeta-autuniteMicaNickelineNoneNot in a structural groupPhosphuranylitePrehnitePyrite
QuartzRocksaltRutileSchoepiteSphaleriteSpinelWölsendorfiteZircon

75 IMA Minerals at location:
Albite  (*)Anglesite  (*)Antimony  (*)Arsenopyrite  (*)Autunite  (*)
Becquerelite  (*)Berzelianite  (*)Bornite  (*)Brannerite  (*)Calcite  (*)
Carnotite  (*)Chalcocite  (*)Chalcopyrite  (*)Clausthalite  (*)Cobaltite  (*)
Coffinite  (*)Coloradoite  (*)Copper  (*)Covellite  (*)Curite  (*)
Dewindtite  (*)Digenite  (*)Dolomite  (*)Dumontite  (*)Epidote  (*)
Eskebornite  (*)Florencite-(La)  (*)Fourmarierite  (*)Galena  (*)Goethite  (*)
Gold  (*)Graphite  (*)Heisenbergite  (*)Hematite  (*)Ilmenite  (*)
Johannite  (*)Kasolite  (*)Libethenite  (*)Magnetite  (*)Marcasite  (*)
Masuyite  (*)Meta-autunite  (*)Metatorbernite  (*)Metazeunerite  (*)Muscovite  (*)
Palladium  (*)Palladseite  (*)Parsonsite  (*)Phosphuranylite  (*)Platinum  (*)
Prehnite  (*)Pseudomalachite  (*)Pyrite  (*)Quartz  (*)Rabejacite  (*)
Renardite  (*)Rutherfordine  (*)Rutile  (*)Saléeite  (*)Siderite  (*)
Sklodowskite  (*)Soddyite  (*)Sphalerite  (*)Stibiopalladinite  (*)Sudburyite  (*)
Threadgoldite  (*)Tiemannite  (*)Torbernite  (*)Uraninite  (*)Uranophane-α  (*)
Uranopilite  (*)Vandendriesscheite  (*)Wölsendorfite  (*)Wyartite  (*)Zircon  (*)
Mineral nameStructural GroupsIMA FormulaMax Age (Ma)Min Age (Ma)# of Sublocalities containing mineralLOCALITY IDs, not mindat ids# of localities containing mineral
Albite  (*)FeldsparNa(AlSi3O8)9209201110448803
Anglesite  (*)BarytePb(SO4)19537331110472734
Antimony  (*)ArsenicSb111046363
Arsenopyrite  (*)ArsenopyriteFeAsS9209201110449052
Autunite  (*)AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2·10-12H2O1733682411037,11044,11046,110471272
Becquerelite  (*)NoneCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6·8H2O1733747211047,1104992
Berzelianite  (*)NoneCu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)195373311104766
Bornite  (*)NoneCu5FeS49209201110445516
Brannerite  (*)BranneriteUTi2O61757920211042,11044248
Calcite  (*)CalciteCa(CO3)920920211044,1104627770
Carnotite  (*)NoneK2(UO2)2(VO4)2·3H2O173314131110471184
Chalcocite  (*)NoneCu2S920920311040,11044,110465707
Chalcopyrite  (*)ChalcopyriteCuFeS21953592711037,11041,11044,11047,11048,11049,1105227198
Clausthalite  (*)RocksaltPbSe998592311046,11049,11052281
Cobaltite  (*)CobaltiteCoAsS920920111044966
Coffinite  (*)ZirconU(SiO4)·nH2O1757682311037,11041,11044566
Coloradoite  (*)SphaleriteHgTe998592111049169
Copper  (*)CopperCu9209201110443846
Covellite  (*)CovelliteCuS1477682211037,110444165
Curite  (*)NonePb3+x[(UO2)4O4+x(OH)3-x]2·2H2O1757747411038,11041,11044,1104951
Dewindtite  (*)PhosphuranyliteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4·12H2O1757870611038,11041,11042,11043,11047,1105282
Digenite  (*)DigeniteCu1.8S9209201110441027
Dolomite  (*)NoneCaMg(CO3)21477682311037,11044,110469895
Dumontite  (*)NonePb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2·5H2O17571413211041,1104720
Epidote  (*)Epidote ClinozoisiteCa2(Al2Fe3+)[Si2O7][SiO4]O(OH)9209201110448173
Eskebornite  (*)ChalcopyriteCuFeSe211105226
Florencite-(La)  (*)AluniteLaAl3(PO4)2(OH)6147768211103712
Fourmarierite  (*)SchoepitePb1-xO3-2x(UO2)4(OH)4+2x·4H2O87087011103861
Galena  (*)RocksaltPbS1953592811037,11038,11041,11044,11047,11048,11049,1105224243
Goethite  (*)DiasporeFeO(OH)920920211044,110507437
Gold  (*)CopperAu1953592611037,11038,11046,11047,11049,1105230554
Graphite  (*)NoneC1757682511037,11038,11041,11044,110462812
Heisenbergite  (*)Not in a structural group(UO2)(OH)2·H2O173314131110473
Hematite  (*)CorundumFe2O31757592611037,11041,11044,11046,11049,1105014640
Ilmenite  (*)CorundumFe2+Ti4+O39209201110445433
Johannite  (*)JohanniteCu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2·8H2O1757170011104169
Kasolite  (*)NonePb(UO2)(SiO4)·H2O1733870311038,11044,11047198
Libethenite  (*)AndalusiteCu2(PO4)(OH)17571717211041,11042234
Magnetite  (*)SpinelFe2+Fe3+2O4147768211103714899
Marcasite  (*)MarcasiteFeS21477682311037,11044,110525674
Masuyite  (*)NonePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2·3H2O93574711104923
Meta-autunite  (*)Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2·6H2O1733747311047,11049,11052388
Metatorbernite  (*)NoneCu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8H2O1757747711038,11041,11042,11043,11047,11049,11055443
Metazeunerite  (*)NoneCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O17331413111047182
Muscovite  (*)Mica ClayKAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH)21757592611037,11041,11044,11046,11049,1105017380
Palladium  (*)CopperPd998592211046,1104959
Palladseite  (*)NonePd17Se151110466
Parsonsite  (*)NonePb2(UO2)(PO4)21757170011104163
Phosphuranylite  (*)PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4·8H2O935747211049,11055182
Platinum  (*)CopperPt998592211046,11049485
Prehnite  (*)PrehniteCa2Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)29209201110441898
Pseudomalachite  (*)NoneCu5(PO4)2(OH)417571717211041,11042369
Pyrite  (*)PyriteFeS21953592811037,11041,11044,11046,11047,11048,11049,1105239462
Quartz  (*)QuartzSiO21953682611037,11038,11044,11046,11047,1105561156
Rabejacite  (*)NoneCa2[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)817571717211041,1104211
Renardite  (*)NonePb(UO2)4(PO4)2(OH)4·7H2O8708701110387
Rutherfordine  (*)None(UO2)(CO3)1733747311044,11047,1104958
Rutile  (*)RutileTiO21477682211037,110445614
Saléeite  (*)NoneMg(UO2)2(PO4)2(H2O)101757682711037,11038,11041,11042,11043,11047,1104995
Siderite  (*)CalciteFe(CO3)1110526417
Sklodowskite  (*)NoneMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·6H2O1757682411037,11038,11042,1104456
Soddyite  (*)None(UO2)2(SiO4)(H2O)21733747211047,1104944
Sphalerite  (*)SphaleriteZnS147768211103721482
Stibiopalladinite  (*)NonePd5Sb211104675
Sudburyite  (*)NickelinePdSb11104646
Threadgoldite  (*)NoneAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH)·8H2O1733747411047,11049,11052,110559
Tiemannite  (*)SphaleriteHgSe11104683
Torbernite  (*)NoneCu(UO2)2(PO4)2·12H2O1757747711041,11043,11044,11046,11047,11049,110551059
Uraninite  (*)FluoriteUO217576821211036,11037,11038,11040,11041,11042,11044,11046,11047,11048,11049,110522718
Uranophane-α  (*)NoneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·5H2O935747211038,11049890
Uranopilite  (*)None(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6·14H2O1757747211042,1104994
Vandendriesscheite  (*)NonePb1.6(UO2)10O6(OH)11·11H2O1733747311038,11047,1104952
Wölsendorfite  (*)WölsendorfitePb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4·12H2O87087011103843
Wyartite  (*)NoneCaU5+(UO2)2(CO3)O4(OH)·7H2O17571717211041,110423
Zircon  (*)ZirconZr(SiO4)14776821110375251


Locality Notes from all Ages at Locality:
Age IDLocality Notes
EG82_857-1`
Giersdorf_00000709Uranium mineralization of the Palette mine is hosted by the Coronation sandstone, between the sandstone and the Koolpin formation.
Giersdorf_00000710Uranium mineralization in the El Sherena mine is hosted in a cherty siltstone member of the Koolpin formation
Giersdorf_00000716The Ranger mine is a uranium mine with two historically viable deposits.
Giersdorf_00000717The Ranger mine is a uranium mine with two historically viable deposits.
Giersdorf_00000721Uranium mineralization of the Palette mine is hosted by the Coronation sandstone, between the sandstone and the Koolpin formation.
Giersdorf_00000722Uranium mineralization of the Palette mine is hosted by the Coronation sandstone, between the sandstone and the Koolpin formation.
Giersdorf_00000723Uranium mineralization in the El Sherena mine is hosted in a cherty siltstone member of the Koolpin formation
Giersdorf_00000724Uranium mineralization in the El Sherena mine is hosted in a cherty siltstone member of the Koolpin formation
Giersdorf_00000725Uranium mineralization in the El Sherena mine is hosted in a cherty siltstone member of the Koolpin formation
Giersdorf_00000726Uranium mineralization in the El Sherena mine is hosted in a cherty siltstone member of the Koolpin formation
Giersdorf_00000729The Nabarlek mine is a uranium deposit found in northern Australia
Giersdorf_00000730The Koongarra deposit is a uranium deposit found in northern Australia
Giersdorf_00000731The Jabiluka deposit is a uranium deposit found in northern Australia


16 Ages assigned to this locality:

Excel IDMax Age (Ma)Min Age (Ma)Age as listed in referenceDating MethodAge InterpretPrioritized?Sample SourceSample NumRun NumAge from other LocalityDated MineralMinerals explicitely stated as having this ageAge applies to these ElementsMinDat Locality IDDated Locality (Max Age)Location as listed in referenceReferenceReference DOIReference IDAge Notes
Giersdorf_00000819160016001600      Uraninite 42103Alligator Rivers, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaAlligator RiversPearcy et al. (1994)10.1016/0883-2927(94)90030-2AG9_713Age is given in comparison to the Nopal deposit due to its similarity as a natural analogue to nuclear waste disposal systems
EG82_857-2147713971437±40207Pb/206Pb whole rockLook at table 3&4  UraniniteU41611Jabiluka Uranium Deposit, Kakadu, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaJabiluka Deposit, Northern Territory, AustraliaLudwig et al. (1987)10.2113/gsecongeo.82.4.857EG82_857Table 3,4
Giersdorf_00000731822682822-682U-PbThe age of the Jabiluka sample is used as a reference to confirm the author's claimsuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41611Jabiluka Uranium Deposit, Kakadu, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaJabiluka DepositChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925 
Giersdorf_00000730870870870U-PbThe age of the Koongarra sample is used as a confirmation tool as to the accuracy of the author's own findingsuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41646Koongarra Deposit, Kakadu, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaKoongarra DepositChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Upper intercept range for uraninite of the Koongarra
EG82_857-1175717171737±20207Pb/206Pb whole rock3/83  UraniniteU4622Ranger Mine (Ranger Uranium Mine), Kakadu, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaRanger Deposit, Northern Territory, AustraliaLudwig et al. (1987)10.2113/gsecongeo.82.4.857EG82_857Fig. 8
Giersdorf_00000716170017001700U-Pb     UraniniteU4622Ranger Mine (Ranger Uranium Mine), Kakadu, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaRanger MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925 
Giersdorf_00000717171217101711±1U-Pb      U4622Ranger Mine (Ranger Uranium Mine), Kakadu, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaRanger MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925 
Giersdorf_00000729920920920U-PbThe age of the Nabarlek sample is used as a confirmation tool as to the accuracy of the author's own findingsuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41645Nabarlek Mine, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaNabarlek MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Upper intercept range for uraninite of the Nabarlek
Giersdorf_00000710173314131573±160U-Pb highuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41615El Sherana Mine (El Sherana West Mine), South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaEl Sherena Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925The higher age priority is due to the age being an the upper intercept age for an isochron carried out by the reference paper from laser ablation
Giersdorf_00000723907733820±87U-PbThe age range for the El Sherena are described as being significantly variable due to the heterogeneous nature of the samples, with the mottled, altered uraninite present alongside the unaltered crystals.uraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41615El Sherana Mine (El Sherana West Mine), South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaEl Sherena Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Range of the ages for 18 testing sites from a sample collected at the El Sherena mine.
Giersdorf_00000724195317571855±98U-PbThe age range for the El Sherena are described as being significantly variable due to the heterogeneous nature of the samples, with the mottled, altered uraninite present alongside the unaltered crystals.uraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41615El Sherana Mine (El Sherana West Mine), South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaEl Sherena Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Range of the ages for 18 testing sites from a sample collected at the El Sherena mine.
Giersdorf_00000725189118811886±5U-PbThe metamorphic age of the host Koolpin formation is used as a constraint of the mineralization age of Uraniumuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41615El Sherana Mine (El Sherana West Mine), South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaEl Sherena Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Age of peak metamorphism of the Koolpin formation, during the Niwumbah event of the Top End Orogeny
Giersdorf_00000726183318231828±5U-PbAge of the overlying Pul Pul Rhyolite over the Koolpin formation, providing a constraint for the uranium mineralization in the El Sherena mineuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU41615El Sherana Mine (El Sherana West Mine), South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaEl Sherena Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Age of the overlying Pul Pul Rhyolite
Giersdorf_00000709935747841±94U-Pb highuraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU13568Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaPalette Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925The higher age priority is due to the age being an the upper intercept age for an isochron carried out by the reference paper from laser ablation
Giersdorf_00000721676592634±42U-PbThe age ranges for the sample are largely in agreement with previous works cited by the author, particularly lining up with an intercept age of 730uraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU13568Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaPalette Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Range of the ages for 14 testing sites across 5 grains from a polished sample of the Palette deposit
Giersdorf_00000722998930964±34U-PbThe age ranges for the sample are largely in agreement with previous works cited by the author, particularly lining up with an intercept age of 730uraninite   UraniniteUraniniteU13568Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaPalette Uranium MineChipley et al. (2007)10.2138/am.2007.2226AM92_1925Range of the ages for 14 testing sites across 5 grains from a polished sample of the Palette deposit.

SampleSource LocalityReference URL
R090018El Sherana Mine (El Sherana West Mine), South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australiahttps://rruff.info/R090018
R060407Palette Mine, South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australiahttps://rruff.info/R060407

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