On the History of the Discovery and Studies of the Oklo Phenomenon

The paper dwells on the brief history of the discovery and studies of the Oklo uranium deposit, a natural nuclear reactor, is considered. It was shown by French specialists in 1972. The discovery was made by studying the isotope ratio 235U§238U in ore. Several years earlier, such research was carried out at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Mineral Raw Materials (VIMS). Unfortunately, the application for the discovery of domestic scientists was rejected.