Author: Gisela Hinder, Rosh Pinah Geo Center, Rosh Pinah, Namibia

e-mail: gisela.hinder007@gmail.com

 Rosh Pinah Mine is situated in the southwest of Namibia about 80 km east of Oranjemund. Rosh Pinah Mine became well known for its beautiful barites when a massive pocket of yellow to orange barite crystals was opened in 1989. It is said that these barites were the best ever found in Namibia.

In February 2017 new barite crystals were discovered at Rosh Pinah. Yellowish, unfortunately smallish, barite crystals were found in Southern Ore Field No.1 on 110 level.

 

Yellowish barite crystals on a galena and chalcopyrite matrix, Size 15 x 14 x 12 cm

The barite occurs in a shiny matrix of mainly galena and chalcopyrite in an otherwise leached host rock. Due to the metallic matrix and the lustrous barite crystals, the rock displays an absolute ‘sparkle’ which unfortunately does not display well in the images.

 

 Size 10 x 6.5 x 5 cm

 


Size 11 x 7 x 5.5 cm

Hopefully some bigger barite crystals will be found soon in that area.

 In places the barite is associated with pure white to transparent baritocalcite, or only the latter as shear zone fillings without barite.

 

Almost transparent baritocalcite , 10 x 10 x 6,5 cm


White baritocalcite, Size 7 x 6 x 5 cm

  

Baritocalcite, 5 x 4 x 4 cm