Uranium

A dense, silvery-green metal that gives off radiation, found as the ore uraninite.

Finding it

Uraninite grows in rare, deep veins (Y -64 to 16), rimmed with galena (the lead that uranium decays into) and flecked with pyrite. A Survey Meter finds the ore; a Geiger Counter finds it by ear. Uraninite ore, its lumps and every uranium form are all radioactive, the ore weaker than the metal.

Smelting

Uraninite melts into uranium (1132 Tu) like any ore, and molten uranium casts into ingots. Uranium makes every metal form: plates, rods, wire, blocks and the rest. A block of uranium is nine ingots of radiation in one place.

Why bother

• It is the densest metal in the game (19.1), twice lead's weight per block. Heavy parts make heavy hammers, counterweights and shot.
• Radiant: a weapon with a uranium part withers what it hits and makes it glow for a few seconds. Whoever carries the weapon carries the part, and takes the dose.
• It is luminous.

See Radiation before carrying any of it.