Pitch-Blende Discoveries.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4413, 20 May 1909, Page 2

Pitch-Blende Discoveries.

FOUND AT TE AROHA. Attention has already beeu drawn by Mr Clement Wragge, meteorologist, to the importance of discoveries of pitebe - blende. Mr A. McKay, F. G. S., Consulting Geologist to the Mines Department, states that pitch-blende has been found at Te Aroha and at the Sylvia mine, Tararu, 'Thames. Iu the “ Mineral Industry,” 1007, issued bv the Hill Publishing Company. New York, it is stated: “ Pitch-blende, which is by far the most important ore or uranium, is found at Joachimsthal, in Germany, and in certain parts of Hungary, Turkey, and Canada. So far but few uses have been fouud for uranium. It is used as acetate as an indicator in various determination in organic chemistry, and other salts are used in iridescent glass and pottery glazes. Experiments to determine the suitability of uranium as a steel hardening met 1 indicate that it does not impart any special properties which are not supplied by other and cheaper metals.” Mr Wragge drew attention to the importance of pitch-blende, as radium has been found in association with it. As the term “ pitch blende ” is likely to confuse some prospectors, it may bo as well to state that it does not occur in connection with ejthor pitch or coal deposits, apd it L more likely to be founct associated with silver-lead ores such as those occurring iu Te Aroha.