# What is going on with "Tobernite"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-tobernite/344791>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 16, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-tobernite/344791 "2006-02-16T14:24:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-tobernite/344791/1 "2006-02-16T14:24:31Z")

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Tobernite, rock, crystal, mineral, gem stone, birth stones …  
Typically bright emerald green due to trace amounts copper and or uranium. It can be transparent to transclucent.  
[\*\* Tobernite Gemstone \*\*](http://www.mineralgallery.co.za/torbernite.htm)

Why Tobernite is the Secret Energy Source That Will Fuel China for the Next 14 Years  
One pound supplies “the same energy as 3 million pounds of coal,” according to Wired magazine. There are only three places on Earth where you can find it in significant quantities. In the report that follows, I’ll show you where … and why a small investment today could return 1,113% in the next year.  
[\*\*Uranium \*\*](http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/43F485DF0006A67B0000072522007610649D0A050EBDB8ACA9?cmd=Show&no=747&uid=726516&sid=c0%3E)

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**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-tobernite/344791/2 "2006-02-16T15:13:54Z")

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? 😕

Heh? What?

Wouldn’t someone be more interested in the uranium rather than _trace uranium_? Or is this like a ‘placer mineral’ where uranium is normally located closeby?

I’m confused.

Tripler  
But uranium? I’m all aglow about that.

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**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-tobernite/344791/3 "2006-02-16T15:47:28Z")

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Those Tobernite mines wouldn’t happen to be owned by a wealthy Nigerian prince, would they? Because I hear there are dozens of them trying to get billions of dollars out of the country. 😛