The N’Chwaning II Mine is located in the Kalahari Manganese Field of Northern Cape Province, South Africa, one of the world’s largest manganese-producing regions. Geologically, the ore occurs within the Hotazel Formation of the Griqualand West Sequence, part of the Paleoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup, where stratiform manganese deposits formed in ancient marine sediments about two billion years ago. The ore body consists of gently dipping, strata-bound manganese layers that have been strongly faulted and hydrothermally altered, producing complex mineral assemblages and zones of high-grade ore. Rhodochrosite, Manganite, Ettringite, and several other rare minerals occur in cavities and fractures within the ore, making the mine famous among mineral collectors.
The broader N’Chwaning deposit was discovered during exploration of the Kalahari manganese field in the mid-20th century, and the N’Chwaning II shaft began production in 1981 as an underground manganese mine operated by Assmang. Today, the mine remains an important producer of manganese ore and is internationally renowned for yielding some of the finest mineral specimens from the Kalahari Manganese Field.
This specimen features a modest sized plate of manganese matrix with rich coverage of olmiite accented by bulfonteinite. Of course, the olmiite fluoresces quite nicely, in a deep red under long wave light. A classic example of not only a highly regarded locale, but uncommon species worldwide.
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(3.5 × 2.5 × 1.4 in - 8.9 × 6.3 × 3.5 cm) 6.6oz / 187g
Orders ship Mondays
The N’Chwaning II Mine is located in the Kalahari Manganese Field of Northern Cape Province, South Africa, one of the world’s largest manganese-producing regions. Geologically, the ore occurs within the Hotazel Formation of the Griqualand West Sequence, part of the Paleoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup, where stratiform manganese deposits formed in ancient marine sediments about two billion years ago. The ore body consists of gently dipping, strata-bound manganese layers that have been strongly faulted and hydrothermally altered, producing complex mineral assemblages and zones of high-grade ore. Rhodochrosite, Manganite, Ettringite, and several other rare minerals occur in cavities and fractures within the ore, making the mine famous among mineral collectors.
The broader N’Chwaning deposit was discovered during exploration of the Kalahari manganese field in the mid-20th century, and the N’Chwaning II shaft began production in 1981 as an underground manganese mine operated by Assmang. Today, the mine remains an important producer of manganese ore and is internationally renowned for yielding some of the finest mineral specimens from the Kalahari Manganese Field.
This specimen features a modest sized plate of manganese matrix with rich coverage of olmiite accented by bulfonteinite. Of course, the olmiite fluoresces quite nicely, in a deep red under long wave light. A classic example of not only a highly regarded locale, but uncommon species worldwide.
Thank you so much for viewing! Please message for any further information
(3.5 × 2.5 × 1.4 in - 8.9 × 6.3 × 3.5 cm) 6.6oz / 187g
Orders ship Mondays
