Latitude: 22°31'S
Longitude: 14°52'E
A huge open pit uranium mine owned by Rio Tinto Zinc Corp. (46.5%) & Industrial Development Corp. of South Africa (13%) & 4 others.
The deposit was discovered in 1928. The mine was producing an estimated 4,000 tons per year (1982 thru 1984); from 2002-2006 the production ranged from about 2400 to 3800 t of U3O8 per year. The lifetime of the mine is expected to extend beyond 2020 (situation in 2007).
U-bearing syenite.
Located in the Namib Desert area south of Arandis, about 70 km north-east of Swakopmund, near the town Arandis.
NOTES:
1. Spectacular specimens of bright orange, acicular
boltwoodite crystals, which have been on the market during the last 25-30 years, were first labelled as coming from a "Boltwoodite locality near Arandis", and later from "Rössing" and thus confused with the Rössing Uranium mine in the area (which never produced any boltwoodite specimens). The correct locality is Goanikontes see
http://www.mindat.org/loc-7864.html
2.
Milarite labelled "Rössing" has not been found at this locality but in a pegmatite in Rössing Mountains Area see
http://www.mindat.org/loc-221312.html
Also see the discussion on the messageboard:
http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-173021.html
Note on the mineral list: the spinel and clinohumite (both in marble) may come from a locality near Rössing.
Mineral List
33 entries listed. 26 valid minerals. 1 erroneous literature entry.
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References
- Mining Annual Review (1985): 423.
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