FIRST PROTASITE FIND IN THE USSR

Abstract

Protasite was first found by us in the USSR at the beginning of the 1970's in close association with bauranoite and metacalciouranoite (metacalsuranoite). New protasite specimens from the same ore deposit were studied in 1986 by microprobe analysis, which confirmed their Me:U ratio of 1:3. Protasite was found under the same conditions and in the same ore bodies where we discovered the new uranium hydroxide minerals, bauranoite and metacalciouanoite. It occurs as massive and, less commonly, spherulitic segregations, bright-orange in color and with a strong adamantine luster.