Rosh Pinah Mine

Rosh Pinah Mine is situated in the southwest corner of Namibia, in the Karas Region, about 20 km north of the Orange River and 50 km east of the Atlantic Ocean. This location places it near the border with South Africa, making it a significant site in a region also known for diamond mining, with Diamond Area 1 to the west. The mine has been a cornerstone of the local economy since 1969, producing lead and zinc, with additional byproducts like copper, silver, and gold.

The mine is renowned for its lead and zinc production, with reserves amounting to 14 million tons of ore, grading 2% lead and 8% zinc. It also yields copper, silver, and gold as byproducts, adding to its economic value. Geologically, it is a sediment-hosted lead-zinc deposit, found in sedimentary rocks such as arkoses and argillites, which were deposited in a failed rift graben and later deformed during the Damara Orogeny. Key minerals include sphalerite, galena, barite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and bornite, offering a rich field for mineral enthusiasts.

Discovered in 1963 by Mose Kohan, who named it "Rosh Pinah" (meaning "cornerstone" in Hebrew), the mine began operations in 1969. It has seen ownership changes, from Glencore to Trevali Mining Corporation, and now Appian Capital Advisory LLP. An expansion project, Rosh Pinah 2.0, is underway to boost production, reflecting its ongoing economic importance.

The nearby town of Rosh Pinah is a small mining community, with its culture deeply tied to the mine. The Rosh Pinah Geo Centre offers exhibits of local minerals and rocks, serving as a hub for geological education. The climate is subtropical desert, with high temperatures and low precipitation, supporting an ecology adapted to arid conditions, featuring desert plants and animals.