Tsumeb

Coordinates: 19°15′S 17°42′E / 19.250°S 17.700°E / -19.250; 17.700
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Tsumeb
  • Otjiherero: Okavisume
  • Khoekhoe: ǂAixorobes
City
BSh

Tsumeb (

Otjiherero: Okavisume;[3] Khoekhoe: ǂAixorobes) is a city[4] of around 35,000 inhabitants and the largest town in the Oshikoto region in northern Namibia. Tsumeb is known as the "gateway to the north" of Namibia.[5] It is the closest town to the Etosha National Park. Tsumeb used to be the regional capital of Oshikoto until 2008 when Omuthiya was proclaimed a town and the new capital.[6] The area around Tsumeb forms its own electoral constituency and has a population of 44,113.[7] The town is the site of a deep mine (the lower workings now closed) that in its heyday was known as "TCL" (after its operator Tsumeb Corporation Ltd.), but has since been renamed the Ongopolo Mine
.

The town and the Tsumeb mine

See also: Mining in Namibia
Main road in Tsumeb
Tsumeb open cast pit, buildings and railway about 1931
Shaft tower of disused mine
in Tsumeb (2014)

The name Tsumeb is generally pronounced "TSOO-meb". The name is not a derivative of

Afrikaans, or English. It has been suggested that it comes from Nama
and means either "Place of the moss" or "Place of the frog". Perhaps this old name had something to do with the huge natural hill of green, oxidized copper ore that existed there before it was mined out.

The town was founded in 1905 by

German colonial power
and celebrated its 100th year of existence in 2005.

Tsumeb is notable for the huge mineralized pipe that led to its foundation. The origin of the pipe has been hotly debated. The pipe penetrates more or less vertically through the Precambrian Otavi dolomite for at least 1,300 m. One possibility is that the pipe was actually a gigantic ancient cave system and that the rock filling it is sand that seeped in from above. If the pipe is volcanic, as some have suggested, then the rock filling it (the "pseudo-aplite") is peculiar in the extreme. The pipe was mined in prehistoric times but those ancient workers barely scratched the surface. Most of the ore was removed in the 20th century by cut-and-fill methods. The ore was

mineral collectors. Between 1905 and 1996, the mine produced about 30 million tons of ore yielding 1.7 Mt copper, 2.8 Mt lead 0.9 Mt zinc, as well as 80 t germanium.[8] The average ore grade was 10% Pb, 4.3% Cu, 3.5% Zn, 100 ppm Ag, 50 ppm Ge.[9]

It is noted for 243 valid minerals and is the type location for 56 types of mineral. Some of the germanium minerals are only found in this mine.[10]

From 1971 to 1972, the Tsumeb mine had its operations temporarily stopped during the 1971–72 Namibian contract workers strike over the contract labor system and apartheid.[11][12]

Gem-quality dioptase crystals from the Tsumeb mine, source of many of the world's best (and most expensive) dioptase specimen s.

Tsumeb, since its founding, has been primarily a mining town. The mine was originally owned by the OMEG (Otavi Minen- und Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft) and later by TCL (Tsumeb Corporation Limited) before its closure a few years ago, when the ore at depth ran out. The main shafts became flooded by ground water over a kilometre deep and the water was collected and pumped as far as the capital, Windhoek. The mine has since been opened up again by a group of local entrepreneurs ("Ongopolo Mining"). A fair amount of oxidized ore remains to be recovered in the old upper levels of the mine. It is highly unlikely, though, that the deepest levels will ever be reopened.[10]

The other notable feature of the town is the metal smelter, previously owned by Namibia Custom Smelters, which was sold by Weatherly International mining company to Dundee Corporation in 2010. The right of the smelter is currently owned by IXM.[13] The Annual Copper Festival is a well-known event on the local festival calendar.

IUGS geological heritage site

In respect of it being 'one of the richest ore deposits with respect to variety, rarity and aesthetics of minerals in the world', the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) included the 'Tsumeb Ore Deposit' in its assemblage of 100 'geological heritage sites' around the world in a listing published in October 2022. The organisation defines an IUGS Geological Heritage Site as 'a key place with geological elements and/or processes of international scientific relevance, used as a reference, and/or with a substantial contribution to the development of geological sciences through history.'[14]

Sinkhole lakes and the world's biggest meteorite

Near the town are two large

Tilapia guinasana
, has evolved in its waters.

When South Africa invaded

German Southwest Africa, today's Namibia, in 1914, the retreating German forces eventually threw all of their weaponry
and supplies into the deep waters of Otjikoto. Some of the material has been recovered for display in museums.

Lake Otjikoto

One of the largest and deepest underground lakes in the world lies a little to the east of Tsumeb, on a farm called

abseil or to descend an ancient, hand-forged ladder that hangs free of the vertical dolomite
walls of the cave for over 50 m. Here, too, SCUBA divers have descended as deep as they have dared (80 m) in the crystal-clear waters and have reported nothing but deep blue below them from one ledge of dolomite to the next with nothing discernible in the depths.

The largest meteorite in the world, called Hoba, lies in a field about forty minutes' drive to the southeast of Tsumeb, at Hoba West. It is a nickel-iron meteorite of about 60 tonnes.

Economy and infrastructure

There are 105

Cattle farming is also widespread.[15]

Ohorongo Cement was established in 2007. The plant is situated between Tsumeb and Otavi on Farm Sargberg approximately 45 km south of Tsumeb. The plant has a production capacity of 650000 tonnes per annum, almost double the demand of the Namibian domestic market. It is owned by Schwenk KG. Limestone reserves appear to be adequate for approximately 300 years.[16] Tsumeb has a concrete sleeper factory.[17]

Every year the Tsumeb Municipality organises the Tsumeb Copper Festival. More than 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and bigger exhibitors showcase their products and services at the annual fair. The festival takes place annually during the last weekend of October at the United Nations Park. The four-day event, which is aimed at boosting the economic competitiveness of the town, draws crowds from all corners of the country and beyond.[18] It also facilitates indirect investments in the hospitality sector.[19]

Tsumeb's stadium, the Oscar Norich Stadium, has a capacity of 1,500.[20]

Transport

above sea level
and frosty in winter.

The main road leads north, to Ondangwa and onwards to Oshakati and Angola. To the north-east a newly constructed Bituminous Road towards Tsintsabis leads to Katwitwi Border Post and Angola. To the east, through Grootfontein, the road leads towards Rundu and Katima Mulilo and to the south, through Otavi to Otjiwarongo and Windhoek.

Tsumeb is connected to the national railway network operated by TransNamib. Tsumeb was for most of the 20th century the terminus of the line but in recent times the track has been extended a further 260 km to reach Ondangwa. There have been talks of extending the line to Oshikango and having the Government of Angola build a railroad from the north to connect the two countries together. The junction for the Ondangwa line is located at the "wrong end" of Tsumeb railway station, leaving it a dead end, though a second triangle is provided for through trains to bypass the station.

Tsumeb Airport is an airstrip east of town.

Politics

Tsumeb is governed by a municipal council that has seven seats.[21] Nico Kaiyamo is one of the well-known and established local politicians.

In the

2015 local authority election was again won by SWAPO which gained six seats and 3,149 votes. The remaining seat went to the DTA which gained 291 votes.[23]

The 2020 local authority election was also won by SWAPO which obtained 2,518 votes and gained four seats. The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), an opposition party formed in August 2020, obtained 1,472 votes and gained two seats. The remaining seat went to the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM, the new name of the DTA) with 199 votes.[24]

Town twinning

Notable people

Geography

Climate

Tsumeb has a

hot semi-arid climate (Köppen
: BSh), with hot summers and mild winters (with warm days and chilly nights). The average annual precipitation is 528 mm (21 in).

Tsumeb
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
130
 
 
31
18
 
 
121
 
 
30
18
 
 
91
 
 
29
17
 
 
34
 
 
29
14
 
 
4
 
 
27
9
 
 
1
 
 
25
6
 
 
0
 
 
25
5
 
 
0
 
 
28
8
 
 
2
 
 
32
13
 
 
18
 
 
33
16
 
 
60
 
 
33
18
 
 
67
 
 
33
18
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: World Climate Guide
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
5.1
 
 
88
64
 
 
4.8
 
 
86
64
 
 
3.6
 
 
84
63
 
 
1.3
 
 
84
57
 
 
0.2
 
 
81
48
 
 
0
 
 
77
43
 
 
0
 
 
77
41
 
 
0
 
 
82
46
 
 
0.1
 
 
90
55
 
 
0.7
 
 
91
61
 
 
2.4
 
 
91
64
 
 
2.6
 
 
91
64
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Minerals

Tsumeb belongs to the world's most prolific mineralogical sites. The minerals from Tsumeb are unsurpassed in variety and quality of form.[29] At least 170 mineral species have been cataloged and 20 of these are found nowhere else. The concentration of ingredients for Tsumeb's mineral formations originates in a sulfide deposit rich in many metals. A non-arid environment plentiful in oxygen-rich groundwater contributed to leaching and re-deposition of these elements as new minerals, sometimes in crystalline formations. There are rare secondary minerals of Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Sb and, reflecting the ore deposit chemistry, Ge, Ga and Cd as well. Minerals first described from Tsumeb include, according to Mindat.org:

  • rare (but also a few common)
    arsenates: andyrobertsite, arsenbrackebuschite, arsendescloizite, arsentsumebite, biehlite, calcioandyrobertsite, chudobaite, duftite, ekatite, fahleite, feinglosite, ferrilotharmeyerite, gaitite, gebhardite, gerdtremmelite, helmutwinklerite, jamesite, johillerite, keyite, koritnigite, leiteite, ludlockite, lukrahnite, molybdofornacite, o'danielite, prosperite, reinerite, schneiderhöhnite, schultenite, sewardite, stranskiite, thometzekite, tsumcorite, warikahnite
    , wilhelmkleinite, zincgartrellite and zincroselite
  • unique germanium (bartelkeite, calvertite, eyselite, fleischerite, germanite, itoite, krieselite (germanate topaz), mathewrogersite, otjisumeite, ovamboite, schaurteite and stottite) and gallium (gallobeudantite, söhngeite, tsumgallite) minerals
  • others are: kegelite, minrecordite, otavite, plumbotsumite, queitite, sidpietersite (unique
    thiosulphate), stibioclaudetite, tsumebite and zincrosasite.[30][31][32]


  • Minerals of Tsumeb
  • Very large cluster of azurite crystals, ex-Smithsonian collection, offered at US$125,000. Size 16.7 x 13.2 x 10.5 cm.
    Very large cluster of
    Smithsonian
    collection, offered at US$125,000. Size 16.7 x 13.2 x 10.5 cm.
  • Calcite crystals colored red by tiny inclusions of hematite. Size: 9 x 9 x 4.3 cm.
    Calcite crystals colored red by tiny inclusions of hematite. Size: 9 x 9 x 4.3 cm.
  • Zoned Cerussite crystal, 5.9 x 3.6 x 1 cm.
    Zoned Cerussite crystal, 5.9 x 3.6 x 1 cm.
  • Dioptase crystals on calcite, a classic Tsumeb specimen. Size: 8.2 x 5.8 x 5.5 cm
    Dioptase crystals on calcite, a classic Tsumeb specimen. Size: 8.2 x 5.8 x 5.5 cm
  • Leiteite, a zinc arsenate, colored umber-red by inclusions of Ludlockite, a lead arsenate. Tsumeb is the type locality for both species. Size: 2.8 x 1.8 x 1.2 cm.
    Leiteite, a zinc arsenate, colored umber-red by inclusions of Ludlockite, a lead arsenate. Tsumeb is the type locality for both species. Size: 2.8 x 1.8 x 1.2 cm.
  • Malachite pseudomorphs after azurite, 13 x 6 x 4 cm.
    Malachite pseudomorphs after azurite, 13 x 6 x 4 cm.
  • Gemmy mimetite with a "sidecar" of wulfenite, 2 x 1 x 1 cm.
    Gemmy mimetite with a "sidecar" of wulfenite, 2 x 1 x 1 cm.
  • Bright blue scorodite crystals on brown-black beudantite, 8 x 5 x 3 cm.
    Bright blue scorodite crystals on brown-black beudantite, 8 x 5 x 3 cm.

Educational institutes and training facilities

Tsumeb is home to a number of primary and secondary schools as well as an Adult Education Center, which resorts under the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Training facilities

  • Adult Education Center
  • Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology
    (NIMT), Northern campus
  • Polytechnic of Namibia
    Center
  • University of Namibia Center

Schools

  • Afrikaans
    : Hoërskool Etosha)
  • Tsumeb Secondary School
  • Otjikoto Secondary School
  • Tsumeb Gymnasium
  • Opawa Combined School
  • Francis Galton Primary School
  • Kuvukiland Primary School
  • Tsumeb English Medium Primary School
  • Nomtsoub Primary School
  • Ondundu Primary School
  • St. Francis Primary School

See also

References

  1. ^ "Table 4.2.2 Urban population by Census years (2001 and 2011)" (PDF). Namibia 2011 – Population and Housing Census Main Report. Namibia Statistics Agency. p. 40. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  2. ^ "2023 Population & Housing Census Preliminary Report" (PDF). Statistics Namibia.
  3. ^ Menges, Werner (12 May 2005). "Windhoek?! Rather make that Otjomuise". The Namibian.
  4. ^ "Local Authorities". Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN). Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Tsumeb Travel Guide: Useful information to visit Tsumeb. 7 Reviews". www.placesonline.com. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  6. ^ !hoaës, Irene (25 September 2008). "Namibia: Govt Won't Let Tsumeb Die – Mayor". Retrieved 18 April 2018 – via AllAfrica.
  7. ^ "Namibia Constituencies". www.statoids.com. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  8. ^ Melcher, F. (2003). "The Otavi Mountain Land in Namibia: Tsumeb, germanium and snowball earth". Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Mineralogischen Gesellschaft. 148: 413–435.
  9. ^ Lombaard, A.F., Günzel, A., Innes, J., Krüger, T.L. (1986). "The Tsumeb lead–copper–zinc–silver deposit, South West Africa/Namibia". Anhaeusser, C.R., Maske, S. (Eds.), Mineral Deposits of Southern Africa, Geol. Soc. South Africa, Johannesburg. 2: 1761–1782.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b Tsumeb mine mineral list, TL = type location.
  11. ^ "ACOA fact sheets: STRIKE IN NAMIBIA" (PDF). AMERICAN COMMlTTEE ON AFRICA. January 7, 1972.
  12. JSTOR 4185227
    .
  13. ^ "Dundee Precious Metals sells Tsumeb smelter to Louis Dreyfus Commodities". guelphmercury.com. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  14. ^ "The First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites" (PDF). IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage. IUGS. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Ts911 ทางเข้าทีเอส911 – แทงบอล สมัคร Ts911 พร้อมข่าวกีฬา".
  16. ^ "Home – Ohorongo Cement (PTY) Ltd". Ohorongo Cement. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  17. ^ "Railpage". Railpage. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  18. ^ "Minerology in Tsumeb | Kupferquelle Resort". 17 May 2017. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  19. ^ "Tsumeb Copper Festival scheduled for end of October | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  20. ^ "Oscar Norich Stadium is falling apart". New Era. 14 March 2016.
  21. ^ "Know Your Local Authority". Election Watch. No. 3. Institute for Public Policy Research. 2015. p. 4.
  22. ^ "Local Authority Election Results for Tsumeb" (PDF). ecn.na. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  23. ^ "Local elections results". Electoral Commission of Namibia. 28 November 2015. p. 6. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015.
  24. ^ "2020 Local Authority Elections Results and Allocation of Seats" (PDF). Electoral Commission of Namibia. 29 November 2020. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  25. ^ "Chesterfield Twinning Links". Chesterfield Borough Council. Archived from the original on 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  26. ^ "Laureate Ben Hauwanga | Junior Achievement Namibia". Ja-namibia.org. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  27. ^ Ndjebela, Toivo (30 September 2011). "'I am politics' John the Baptist'". New Era. via allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015.
  28. ^ Kambaekwa, Carlos (11 November 2018). "Gerros Uri-Khob, the Copper Bullet". New Era.
  29. ^ "Mineralienatlas – Fossilienatlas". www.mineralienatlas.de (in German). Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  30. ^ "Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region (Otjikoto Region), Namibia". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  31. ^ "Handbook of Mineralogy". www.handbookofmineralogy.com. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  32. ^ "Mineralogy Database". www.webmineral.com. Retrieved 18 April 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tsumeb.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tsumeb.

19°15′S 17°42′E / 19.250°S 17.700°E / -19.250; 17.700

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