The materials found are not enriched uranium as it was reported by several sources but Thorianite (Torianita in Portuguese) and thorium in their natural compositions.

The northern area of Brazil has been the target for illegal traffic of substances and mining for several years now by networks of adventurers called "garimpeiros" with a severe follow up on the cases by the Brazilian Police.

The traffic of such materials is not directly related immediate proliferation use or interest, it is not "enriched uranium", but both thorium and uranium involve a danger of radioactive exposure.  

The sustance found has a composition of 8% natural uranium.  

Police in the north Brazilian state of Amapa have unearthed a cache with 450 kg of enriched uranium ore, a dangerous mineral used for nuclear arms production.

The operation to seize radioactive material was a result of four-month work by investigators, who found a bag of pitchblende on Friday in a remote area of tropical rainforest.

Pitchblende, or uraninite, is an extremely radioactive mineral used as a major component for the production of fuel for nuclear power plants and nuclear arms.

An investigation is underway.

Brazil's nuclear capabilities are considered the most advanced in Latin America. The country runs its sole nuclear power plant, Angra, with two reactors, and a third is under construction.

Back