Posted on 08/30/2004 7:04:26 AM PDT by Odyssey-x
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Police have seized a load of black market uranium and thorium taken from a secret mine in the jungle in northern Brazil, an official said on Tuesday.
Based on a lead from an informant, federal police seized 1,320 pounds of ore containing the radioactive metals in the back of a pickup truck about 75 miles from Macapa, capital of Amapa state, near the mouth of the Amazon River.
"We got a fax from the laboratory in Rio de Janeiro yesterday saying the cargo had significant levels of uranium and thorium," officer Luiz Carlos told Reuters, adding that the truck was seized last month.
Samples of the material were sent to another lab in Minas Gerais, which is expected to report on the concentration of the radioactive material in ore material, Carlos said.
The uranium was not enriched which means it would not serve as material to build a nuclear bomb, but pending further tests, it was unclear whether it could be used in a radioactive "dirty" bomb. The uranium would have various high-tech applications in guidance devices and shielding material.
Thorium is expected to be used as a nuclear reactor fuel in the future but is not widely used at the moment. It is also used in portable lamps and in various metal alloys.
Samples of the material were sent to another lab in Minas Gerais, which is expected to report on the concentration of the radioactive material in ore material, Carlos said.
"Based on confessions from some of those involved, we estimate that the owner of the cargo was expecting to get over 1 million reais ($330,000) on the black market for it," he said.
The investigation was still going on. A man believed to be one of those responsible for trafficking the illegal material fled from the truck when it was stopped by police.
"The location of the mine is still unknown. We believe it is in the jungle in the Serra de Navio region," Carlos said.
"This is the first case that we've run across in the state, and I believe in Brazil."
Brazil is rich in various metals including uranium, which is considered government property and is strictly regulated.
Natural uranium is sufficiently radioactive to expose a photographic plate in an hour or so. Much of the internal heat of the earth is thought to be attributable to the presence of uranium and thorium.
Uranium on the earth's surface, not as rare as once thought, is now considered to be more plentiful than mercury or silver.
Interesting, has Joe Wilson been seen in the area?
Who were the buyers? That's what isn't even speculated on in this article.
There is no GD way a pick-up load of Uranium ore, even hi-grade, is going to be worth $330,000!
$3300, maybe.
Ping
Maybe not on an open, secure market, but for cash rich terrorists, maybe....
Actually you might be surprised... A single nice sample of Uranium ore can sell for up to $1000 to collectors. I sell it all the time on eBay and have both bought and sold samples in that range many times over the past four years.
Stuff is no big deal though as any nuclear threat is concerned. Main danger from that quantity would be from the mechanical damage that could be inflicted by the rocks themselves but somehow I don't (yet) see Al Quaeda back to the throwing rocks stage...
Could some of that stuff leak through our southern border ?
NAAH.....
1320 pounds would bring the front wheels of my pickup right off the ground.
This doesn't agree with the headline. Not only was the uranium not enriched, it wasn't uranium.
Bump!
Collectable prize examples aside, high-grade uranium ore(say 25% U content) would be worth about $5 per pound.
Glad to see the boys at Minas Gerais are keeping an eye on the boys at Minas Tirith.
Show me where I can obtain my legal limit at that rate and we'll both be rich.
Take the Greyhound to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and hitch a ride north.
North of 57 you'll be able to scoop up a lot of rocks.
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