History of Oklo in Timeline

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By Popular Timelines Editorial Team  · Updated:
Oklo

Oklo is a region in Gabon, Africa, notable for the discovery of natural nuclear fission reactors in 1972. These reactors, found in uranium mines near Franceville, provide evidence of self-sustaining nuclear reactions that occurred naturally billions of years ago. The discovery at Oklo has significant implications for understanding the behavior of nuclear materials over geological timescales and has contributed to research in nuclear waste disposal and reactor safety.

1956: Uranium Discovery in Gabon

In 1956, prospectors from the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique discovered uranium in a remote region of Gabon, which was then a French colony. France subsequently opened mines operated by Comuf (Compagnie des Mines d'Uranium de Franceville) near Mounana village to exploit these resources.

1972: Discovery of Natural Nuclear Fission Reactors

In 1972, natural nuclear fission reactors were discovered in the uranium mines of Oklo, a region near Franceville in Gabon.