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Ningyo-toge mine, Tottori Prefecture, Japani
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Ningyo-toge mine | Mine |
| Tottori Prefecture | Prefecture |
| Japan | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
35° 18' 29'' North , 133° 55' 22'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Kรถppen climate type:
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Ningyo-tohge mine
Uranium deposit on the border between Tottori and Okayama prefectures, so some labels may give the locality as "Ningyo-toge Mine, Okayama Pref."
[The following is copied from the caption of photo #1435693 and was summarized from the Japanese-language Wikipedia article on Ningyo Pass, https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%BA%E5%BD%A2%E5%B3%A0 .]
Ningyo Pass (Ningyo Toge) is a mountain pass located on the border of Misasa Town in Tottori Prefecture and Kagamino Town in Okayama Prefecture, with an altitude of 740.2 meters. Continuing upward it leads to the 1,003.81-meter peak of Mount Ningyo (Ningyo Sen).
In the 1950s, after the advent of nuclear power, Japan began exploring uranium deposits nationwide. Starting in the summer of 1954, various exploration teams converged in the Ningyo Pass area, discovering uranium deposits in multiple locations, with a total of more than ten deposits identified. Among them, the Ningyo Pass deposit had the highest uranium grade, reaching 0.06%. The uranium resources in this area were collectively termed the Ningyo Toge Mine. In August 1956, mining officially commenced, and activity flourished.
The mineโs peak period occurred in the 1970s when global uranium prices soared due to the oil crisis. However, the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident in the U.S. raised awareness of the dangers of nuclear power, causing uranium prices to plummet to half their peak value. For economic reasons, mining at Ningyo Pass ceased, and by 2001, all associated smelting facilities were shut down. Starting January 20, 2021, a 20-year dismantling and decommissioning project began.
After returning former exploration lands to local residents following the mine's closure in the 1980s, it was discovered in 1988 that 450,000 cubic meters of soil mixed with ore had been dumped in open air in Tottori Prefecture, with radon gas levels exceeding safe limits by 10,000 times. The Ningyo Pass site, spanning two prefectures, led to disputes and blame-shifting between the local governments, resulting in nearly 20 years of litigation. Finally, in 2006, processed soil meeting safety standards began being sold to the public as paving tilesโa practice that continues to this day.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.Mineral List
28 valid minerals. 1 (TL) - type locality of valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
| โ 'Apatite' Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) References: |
| โ Autunite Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| โ 'Biotite' Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 References: |
| โ Boltwoodite Formula: (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| โ Calcite Formula: CaCO3 References: |
| โ Carnotite Formula: K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| โ 'Chlorite Group' References: |
| โ Coffinite Formula: U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| โ 'Feldspar Group' |
| โ Ferrihydrite Formula: Fe3+10O14(OH)2 References: Kato, Tatsuya, Kawasaki, Yohei, Kadokura, Masakazu, Suzuki, Kohei, Tawara, Yasuhiro, Ohara, Yoshiyuki, Tokoro, Chiharu (2020) Application of GETFLOWS Coupled with Chemical Reactions to Arsenic Removal through Ferrihydrite Coprecipitation in an Artificial Wetland of a Japanese Closed Mine. Minerals, 10 (5) 475 doi:10.3390/min10050475 |
| โ Goethite Formula: Fe3+O(OH) |
| โ Gypsum Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| โ Haiweeite Formula: Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| โ 'Hypersthene' Formula: (Mg,Fe)SiO3 References: |
| โ Kaolinite Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 References: |
| โ Liebigite Formula: Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| โ Marcasite Formula: FeS2 |
| โ Montmorillonite Formula: (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O References: |
| โ Ningyoite (TL) Formula: (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O Type Locality: Description: coating pyrite |
| โ Parauranophane Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| โ Phosphuranylite Formula: KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| โ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 |
| โ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
| โ Rutile Formula: TiO2 References: |
| โ Sabugalite Formula: HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| โ Schwertmannite Formula: Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O References: Kato, Tatsuya, Kawasaki, Yohei, Kadokura, Masakazu, Suzuki, Kohei, Tawara, Yasuhiro, Ohara, Yoshiyuki, Tokoro, Chiharu (2020) Application of GETFLOWS Coupled with Chemical Reactions to Arsenic Removal through Ferrihydrite Coprecipitation in an Artificial Wetland of a Japanese Closed Mine. Minerals, 10 (5) 475 doi:10.3390/min10050475 |
| โ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS |
| โ Torbernite Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| โ Uraninite Formula: UO2 |
| โ Uranophane Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O References: |
| โ Uranopilite Formula: (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O |
| โ Weeksite Formula: K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| โ Zippeite Formula: K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| โ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
| โ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| โ | Marcasite | 2.EB.10a | FeS2 |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| โ | Goethite | 4.00. | Fe3+O(OH) |
| โ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| โ | Rutile | 4.DB.05 | TiO2 |
| โ | Uraninite | 4.DL.05 | UO2 |
| โ | Ferrihydrite | 4.FE.35 | Fe3+10O14(OH)2 |
| โ | Carnotite | 4.HB.05 | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 ยท 3H2O |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| โ | Calcite | 5.AB.05 | CaCO3 |
| โ | Liebigite | 5.ED.20 | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 ยท 11H2O |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| โ | Gypsum | 7.CD.40 | CaSO4 ยท 2H2O |
| โ | Schwertmannite | 7.DE.15 | Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 ยท 10-12H2O |
| โ | Uranopilite | 7.EA.05 | (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 ยท 14H2O |
| โ | Zippeite | 7.EC.05 | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) ยท 3H2O |
| Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
| โ | Ningyoite (TL) | 8.CJ.85 | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 ยท 1-2H2O |
| โ | Autunite | 8.EB.05 | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 ยท 10-12H2O |
| โ | Torbernite | 8.EB.05 | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 ยท 12H2O |
| โ | Sabugalite | 8.EB.55 | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 ยท 16H2O |
| โ | Phosphuranylite | 8.EC.10 | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 ยท 8H2O |
| Group 9 - Silicates | |||
| โ | Coffinite | 9.AD.30 | U(SiO4) ยท nH2O |
| โ | Boltwoodite | 9.AK.15 | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) ยท 1.5H2O |
| โ | Parauranophane | 9.AK.15 | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 ยท 5H2O |
| โ | Uranophane | 9.AK.15 | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 ยท 5H2O |
| โ | Haiweeite | 9.AK.25 | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] ยท 6H2O |
| โ | Weeksite | 9.AK.30 | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) ยท 4H2O |
| โ | Montmorillonite | 9.EC.40 | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 ยท nH2O |
| โ | Kaolinite | 9.ED.05 | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Unclassified | |||
| โ | 'Biotite' | - | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| โ | 'Chlorite Group' | - | |
| โ | 'Feldspar Group' | - | |
| โ | 'Hypersthene' | - | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| โ | 'Apatite' | - | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | โ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| H | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| H | โ Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| H | โ Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| H | โ Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| H | โ Ferrihydrite | Fe103+O14(OH)2 |
| H | โ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| H | โ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| H | โ Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| H | โ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| H | โ Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| H | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| H | โ Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
| H | โ Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| H | โ Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| H | โ Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| H | โ Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| H | โ Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| H | โ Uranopilite | (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O |
| H | โ Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| H | โ Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| H | โ Schwertmannite | Fe163+(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| H | โ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| C | Carbon | |
| C | โ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| C | โ Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | โ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| O | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| O | โ Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| O | โ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| O | โ Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| O | โ Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| O | โ Ferrihydrite | Fe103+O14(OH)2 |
| O | โ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| O | โ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| O | โ Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| O | โ Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| O | โ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| O | โ Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| O | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| O | โ Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
| O | โ Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| O | โ Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | โ Rutile | TiO2 |
| O | โ Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| O | โ Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| O | โ Uraninite | UO2 |
| O | โ Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| O | โ Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| O | โ Uranopilite | (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O |
| O | โ Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| O | โ Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| O | โ Schwertmannite | Fe163+(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| O | โ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| F | Fluorine | |
| F | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| F | โ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| Na | Sodium | |
| Na | โ Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| Na | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| Mg | โ Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| Mg | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| Al | โ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Al | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| Al | โ Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| Si | โ Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| Si | โ Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| Si | โ Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| Si | โ Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| Si | โ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Si | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| Si | โ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | โ Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| Si | โ Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| Si | โ Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| P | Phosphorus | |
| P | โ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| P | โ Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
| P | โ Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| P | โ Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| P | โ Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| P | โ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | โ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| S | โ Marcasite | FeS2 |
| S | โ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| S | โ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| S | โ Uranopilite | (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O |
| S | โ Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| S | โ Schwertmannite | Fe163+(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| Cl | Chlorine | |
| Cl | โ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| K | Potassium | |
| K | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| K | โ Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| K | โ Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| K | โ Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| K | โ Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| K | โ Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Ca | โ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| Ca | โ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| Ca | โ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| Ca | โ Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| Ca | โ Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| Ca | โ Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| Ca | โ Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
| Ca | โ Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| Ca | โ Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| Ca | โ Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| Ca | โ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| Ti | Titanium | |
| Ti | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| Ti | โ Rutile | TiO2 |
| V | Vanadium | |
| V | โ Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | โ Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| Fe | โ Ferrihydrite | Fe103+O14(OH)2 |
| Fe | โ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| Fe | โ Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| Fe | โ Marcasite | FeS2 |
| Fe | โ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Fe | โ Schwertmannite | Fe163+(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | โ Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Zn | โ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| Ce | Cerium | |
| Ce | โ Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
| U | Uranium | |
| U | โ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| U | โ Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| U | โ Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| U | โ Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| U | โ Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| U | โ Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| U | โ Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
| U | โ Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| U | โ Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| U | โ Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| U | โ Uraninite | UO2 |
| U | โ Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| U | โ Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| U | โ Uranopilite | (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O |
| U | โ Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| U | โ Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Amur PlateTectonic Plate
AsiaContinent
Eurasian Plate
- South Japan ArcVolcanic Arc
Japan
- Honshu IslandIsland
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References
Muto, T., Meyrowitz, R., Pommer, A. M., Murano, T. (1959) Ningyoite, a new uranous phosphate from Japan. American Mineralogist, 44 (5-6) 633-650
MUTO, TADASHI (1962) The precipitation environment of ningyoite. Mineralogical Journal, 3 (5). 306-337 doi:10.2465/minerj1953.3.306
MURANO, TOHRU (1963) Radioactive Equilibrium in the Ningyotoge Uranium Ores, Especially Between Ionium and Uranium. Mineralogical Journal, 4 (1). 12-29 doi:10.2465/minerj1953.4.12
Kamitani, M., Okumura, K., Teraoka, Y., Miyano, S., Watanabe, Y. (2007) Mineral Resources Map of East Asia, Geological Survey of Japan.
Kato, Tatsuya, Kawasaki, Yohei, Kadokura, Masakazu, Suzuki, Kohei, Tawara, Yasuhiro, Ohara, Yoshiyuki, Tokoro, Chiharu (2020) Application of GETFLOWS Coupled with Chemical Reactions to Arsenic Removal through Ferrihydrite Coprecipitation in an Artificial Wetland of a Japanese Closed Mine. Minerals, 10 (5) 475 doi:10.3390/min10050475
Ningyo-toge mine, Tottori Prefecture, Japan