The development of the uranium and nuclear industry in South Africa, 1945-1970 : a historical study
Date
1995
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The story of South Africa uranium begins in the late 1880's when it was observed that the green flourescence of minute crystals found in gold-bearing ore from South Africa was due to radioactivity. These were first indications that the ore contained uranium. The urgency of the Allied Nations to obtain uranium during the Second World War for the production of nuclear weapons, brought to the notice of the Combined development Trust a paper by South African mineralogist, RA Cooper, that indicated that the South African gold reefs carried a mineral, uraninite, nearly half of which contained a compound of uranium.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhaal van uraan in Suid-Afrika begin in die laat tagtigerjare van die neëntiende eeu toe groen fluoressensie van uiters klein kristalle waargeneem is in gouderts afkomstig uit Suid-Afrikaanse myne en dit verder bewys is dat dit deur radioaktiwiteit veroorsaak is. Dit was die eerste aanduiding dat die Suid-Afrikaanse gronderts uraan bevat.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhaal van uraan in Suid-Afrika begin in die laat tagtigerjare van die neëntiende eeu toe groen fluoressensie van uiters klein kristalle waargeneem is in gouderts afkomstig uit Suid-Afrikaanse myne en dit verder bewys is dat dit deur radioaktiwiteit veroorsaak is. Dit was die eerste aanduiding dat die Suid-Afrikaanse gronderts uraan bevat.
Description
Dissertation (D.Phil.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1995.
Keywords
Nuclear industry -- South Africa -- History, Dissertations -- History, UCTD