About ten intrepid Jan Coetzee crystals made it to the reunion, with two of 50 kg-plus guys sending their apologies due to being overweight, along with a couple more whose owner couldn’t provide transport on the day. One rare and seldom seen fluorite (also from the same crystal pocket) came, and was much admired. Malcolm Jackson gave a short presentation about the mine and its location, along with photos taken by him and Jo of the Jan Coetzee mine dumps in recent years and the remains of the smelter at Nababeep where the copper ore from the Jan Coetzee mine was processed. Someone said that, sadly, even the Nababeep smelter chimney has now been demolished. A few crystals showed evidence of the calcite, haematite and barite which are all associated minerals, and also the chlorite in which many of the crystals were said to have been lying when found. No doubt all the crystals that were originally used as gravestones, gate posts, and the like, when first taken from the mine, have long since been removed and hopefully gone to better homes. The Jan Coetzee crystal raffle prize was won by Brett Burgell. This specimen came from a donation by Penny Schuddich. (23 members attended the meeting.)

Below are photos of the crystals that were on show:

 

 

Note the calcite and chlorite covering the point and the left hand side of the crystal, with a sprinkling of chalcopyrite on the right

 

Loose chlorite still covering one end of a crystal

This crystal is about 40 cm long

 

The small specimens in front are calcites


 

The reverse view of the crystal immediately above this one - taken by Tracy

    

        A Rare Fluorite from the Jan Coetzee Mine                    

The following crystals sent their apologies as they were unable to attend the meeting:

  

   

What is Chlorite?

Under the general name of “chlorites” are many allied minerals which are related in composition to micas, but which are hydrated, more basic, and contain no alkalis. In general, they may be considered as hydrated silicates of aluminium, iron and magnesium. They are green in colour, from which fact they derive their name. Their crystal habit is tabular, but they are most common in granular masses, disseminated scales, and are frequently encrusting.

This and further information can be obtained from Rutleys “Elements of Mineralogy”.

Jan Coetzee Mine internet information sites used were:

https://www.mindat.org/loc-53609.html

https://www.mindat.org/sitegallery.php?loc=53609

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287922000_History_of_the_Okiep_copper_district_Namaqualand_Northern_Cape_Province_South_Africa

 

← The old smelter at Nababeep in 2014