Transparent to whitish barite mineralization was found in an orogenic late phase leached fault zone. It seems that some of the barites are pseudomorphs replaced by snow white baritocalcite. This replacement supposedly took place at an even later phase when calcium-rich fluids migrated through the formation. This theory is supported by the occurrence of floater quartz crystals in a pocket where, on the one side, the quartz aggregates display the luster of ‘bergkristall’ and are coated on the other side by a thin layer of calcite.

In April 2017 very strange looking yellow barites were found at Western Ore Field No 3, 110 level, as the tunnel development progressed.    


Figure 1: Transparent barite from the previous location (5 × 4 × 4 cm)

 Figure 2: Transparent to whitish barite from the previous location (4 × 3.5 × 2,5 cm)

 Figure 3: Transparent to whitish barite from the previous location (4.5 × 3 × 3 cm)

 Figure 4: Floater quartz aggregate with indented terminations (4,5 × 3,5 × 1,7 cm)

Figure 5: Tabular floater quartz (6,5 × 2,3 × 1,3 cm)


  Figure 6: Lustrous floater quartz aggregate (7 × 5 × 4,5 cm)

The secondary yellow barite mineralization, found in a pocket in April 2017, overgrows a primary massive orange barite in a ‘teepee’ (Red Indian tent) like shape sometimes wearing a yellow ‘crown’. Wormlike yellowish barites were also found on the galena-chalcopyrite matrix of which most were unfortunately broken off by the ignorant mining employees and sold separately.


 Figure 7: ’Teepee’ shaped barite mineralization on massive orange barite sitting on a galena-chalcopyrite matrix (17 × 11 × 10 cm)

Figure 8: Yellowish barite mineralization (11,5 × 8,5 × 4,5 cm)

Figure 9: Wormlike barite aggregates on galena-chalcopyrite matrix (16 × 14 × 10 cm)

 Figure 10: Wormlike barite aggregate (5 to 8 cm)

For a long time nothing new has been found at Rosh Pinah Mine but one must never lose hope since Rosh Pinah Mine is always good for a surprise, evident in the new barite mineralization discovered at Western Ore Field No. 3. Let’s see what else will be brought out into daylight. 

Author:  Gisela Hinder, Rosh Pinah Geo Center, Rosh Pinah, Namibia.   e-mail: