Smithsonite (1828)

Unknown Owner

Pale lustrous slightly translucent bluish green crystal groupings of smithsonite averaging 0.3 cm in size very nice across the front of matrix. This is in good condition.The Skorpion Mine near Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia is a large zinc mining operation developed in the late 20th century. The deposit is unusual because the zinc occurs mainly in oxidized minerals rather than typical sulfide ores. Mining began in the early 2000s using open pit methods to extract zinc rich ore from sedimentary rocks. The operation became an important source of zinc metal and is part of the long mining history of the Rosh Pinah region.