Skorpion Mine
Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund Constituency, ǁKaras Region, Namibia
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
Skorpion Mine is in Rosh Pinah, Karas Region, southern Namibia, near the Orange River and South Africa border.
It produces high-grade zinc from unique oxide ores, including rare minerals like skorpionite.
The mine is currently under care and maintenance since 2020 due to safety issues.
The area has a desert climate with extreme temperatures and minimal rainfall.
Location and Accessibility
The Skorpion Mine is located about 25 km north of Rosh Pinah, a small mining town in the Oranjemund Constituency of the Karas Region, Namibia. This region is in the southwestern corner of Africa, near the border with South Africa and close to the Orange River. Rosh Pinah is approximately 360 km south of Keetmanshoop, making it a remote desert area with rugged mountains and vast open spaces, ideal for those seeking a unique geological adventure.
Mineral Highlights
This mine is famous for its Special High Grade (SHG) zinc, extracted from zinc oxide ores, which is unusual compared to typical sulphide zinc mines. It hosts minerals like smithsonite, hydrozincite, tarbuttite, and willemite, with skorpionite being a surprising discovery named after the mine, adding to its allure for collectors.
Current Status
Since 2020, the mine has been under care and maintenance due to geotechnical safety concerns, impacting local employment and operations, which is a notable shift for a once-thriving zinc producer.
Climate and Environment
The area experiences a subtropical desert climate, with average temperatures around 23.65°C and only about 17.61 mm of annual rainfall, supporting a sparse desert ecology adapted to harsh conditions.