Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
The Tsumeb mine is one of our Top 12 Mineral Localities.
Copper mining and smelting began at Tsumeb long before the European explorers "discovered" the ore body. Apparently, for hundreds of years, local Bushmen had been mining copper-bearing rocks from a secret locality known only to them and trading them to Ovambos, who came from northern Namibia to meet the Bushmen. The Bushmen supplied the material, but the Ovambos had discovered how to extract the copper metal from the ore by building crude smelters in termite hills and firing the ore until the molten copper poured forth into "ingot molds" dug into the ground with sticks. The copper was then used for ornamentation and weaponry.
The Tsumeb mine qualifies as one of the most prolific mineral localities in the world, not only for the number of species (over 230), but the sheer magnitude of world class specimen material that has emerged from its workings. Perhaps most famous are the unrivalled specimens of azurite, cerussite and dioptase. Species collectors find a haven in this locality as well as the type locality of well over 50 mineral species.
The mine is essentially now closed, but recently a number of large, fine private collections have reached the market that make this classic material not only desirable but available.
The Tsumeb mine qualifies as one of the most prolific mineral localities in the world, not only for the number of species (over 230), but the sheer magnitude of world class specimen material that has emerged from its workings. Perhaps most famous are the unrivalled specimens of azurite, cerussite and dioptase. Species collectors find a haven in this locality as well as the type locality of well over 50 mineral species.
The mine is essentially now closed, but recently a number of large, fine private collections have reached the market that make this classic material not only desirable but available.
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Cadmium-Smithsonite
Tsumeb Mine | Tsumeb | Otjikoto Region | Namibia
$1144 *
78mm x 68mm x 53mm
From: Wendel Minerals
Anglesite
Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine) | Tsumeb | Otjikoto Region | Namibia
$782 *
49mm x 39mm x 29mm
From: Wendel Minerals
Azurite
Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine) | Tsumeb | Otjikoto Region | Namibia
$3370 *
84mm x 39mm x 33mm
From: Wendel Minerals
Azurite, Bayldonite after Mimetite, Wulfenite
Tsumeb, Namibia
$600
75mm x 55mm x 25mm
From: Marin Minerals
Malachite ps. after Azurite on Mottramite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
$1800
70mm x 70mm x 50mm
From: The Arkenstone
Dioptase on Calcite
Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine) | Tsumeb | Otjikoto Region | Namibia
$843 *
38mm x 31mm x 22mm
From: Wendel Minerals
Malachite pseudomorphs after Azurite with Azurite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb District, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
$2700
133mm x 115mm x 70mm
From: Bob Griffis Minerals
Smithsonite var. Manganoan
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
$5500
60mm x 60mm x 40mm
From: The Arkenstone
Cerussite
Tsumeb Mine | Tsumeb | Otjikoto Region | Namibia
$1083 *
55mm x 44mm x 27mm
From: Wendel Minerals
Anglesite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
$1250
30mm x 20mm x 10mm
From: The Arkenstone
Willemite
Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine) | Tsumeb | Otjikoto Region | Namibia
$1444 *
70mm x 66mm x 44mm
From: Wendel Minerals
Cobaltian Smithsonite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
$6500
90mm x 70mm x 50mm
From: The Arkenstone
Calcite (Fluorescent) with Duftite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
$4000
120mm x 90mm x 40mm
From: The Arkenstone
