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Tsumeb

Producer in Namibia with commodities Cadmium, Copper, Germanium, Lead, Silver, Zinc
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Ownership information
  13. Production statistics
  14. Reserves and resources
  15. Workings at the site
  16. Links to other databases
  17. Bibliographic references
  18. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10304790
MAS/MILS ID 7920000002
Record type Site
Current site name Tsumeb
Alternate or previous names Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb West, Otavi Minen

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: 17.71367, -19.22534 (WGS84)
Elevation 1289
Location accuracy 1000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Namibia(country)

Africa(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country
Namibia

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Cadmium Tertiary
Copper Primary
Germanium Critical Tertiary
Lead Primary
Silver Secondary
Zinc Critical Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Anglesite Unknown
Bornite Unknown
Cerussite Unknown
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Covellite Unknown
Digenite Unknown
Enargite Unknown
Galena Unknown
Greenockite Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Smithsonite Unknown
Sphalerite Unknown
Stromeyerite Unknown
Tennantite Unknown
Wurtzite Unknown
Cerussite Unknown
Smithsonite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) 17.71367, -19.22534
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 76M
    Length 1400M
    Width 183M
    Area 26HA
    Depth to top 700M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 BRECCIA FILL
    Shape of Orebody #1 PIPELIKE
    Type of Orebody #2 REPLACEMENT
    Type of Orebody #3 FISSURE VEIN
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Secondary mode of Origin OXIDATION
    Primary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Secondary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. SLIGHT
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 CARBONITIZATION
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 OTHER
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Total Surface Area (HA) 26
    Date of Last Modification 830712

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Producer
Commodity type Both
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1893
Mining method Filled Stopes - Horiz Cut and Fill W/Waste Rock
Year of first production 1900
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Tsumeb

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Unknown

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Tsumeb Corp. Ltd.
    Home office Namibia
    Year 1993
  • Type Owner
    Owner Gold Fields Namibia Ltd.
    Interest 100
    Home office South Africa
    Year 1993

Production statistics

  • Year 1980
    Description 4.3% Cu, 6.98% Pb, 1.9% Zn, .036% Cd, 85.7 G/Mt Ag 480000 Mt 0re/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 86g/mt
    Trace Ore Cadmium Cadmium 0wt-pct
    Trace Ore Zinc Zinc 2wt-pct
    Major Ore Lead Lead 7wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 4wt-pct
  • Year 1981
    Description 3.60% Cu; 7.32% Pb; 2.08% Zn 493700 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Zinc Zinc 2wt-pct
    Major Ore Lead Lead 7wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 4wt-pct
  • Year 1982
    Description 3.24% Cu; 6.67% Pb; 1.84% Zn. 385100 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Zinc Zinc 2wt-pct
    Major Ore Lead Lead 7wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1983
    Description 3.19% Cu; 4.38% Pb; 1.43% Zn 501500 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Zinc Zinc 1wt-pct
    Major Ore Lead Lead 4wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1984
    Description 3.18% Cu; 3.69% Pp; 1.18% Zn 522100 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Zinc Zinc 1wt-pct
    Major Ore Lead Lead 4wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1985
    Description 3.07% Cu; 3.82% Pb; 105 G Ag 615100 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 105g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 4wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1986
    Description 2.92% Cu; 4.35% Pb; 102 G Ag 638700 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 102g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 4wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1987
    Description 3.05% Cu; 3.69% Pb; 118 G Ag 514800 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 118g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 4wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1988
    Description 2.77% Cu; 3.09% Pb; 109 G Ag 620900 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 109g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 3wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1989
    Description 2.72% Cu; 2.76% Pb; 101 G Ag 670200 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 101g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 3wt-pct
  • Year 1990
    Description 2.66% Cu, 1.96% Pb, 102 G Ag 622900 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 102g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 2wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1991
    Description 2.98% Cu, 2.10% Pb, 118 G Ag 524100 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 118g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 2wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct
  • Year 1992
    Description 3.03% Cu, 1.93% Pb, 126 G Ag 471200 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Silver Silver 126g/mt
    Major Ore Lead Lead 2wt-pct
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3wt-pct

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1986
    Demonstrated 5498000mt ore
    Total resources 5498000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 3.27 wt-pct Copper Major 1986
    Lead Pb 3.53 wt-pct Lead Major 1986
    Silver Ag 93 g/mt Silver Minor 1986
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1987
    Demonstrated 4917000mt ore
    Total resources 4917000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 3.3 wt-pct Copper Major 1987
    Lead Pb 3.33 wt-pct Lead Major 1987
    Silver Ag 93 g/mt Silver Minor 1987
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1988
    Demonstrated 4515000mt ore
    Total resources 4515000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 3.13 wt-pct Copper Major 1988
    Lead Pb 3.13 wt-pct Lead Major 1988
    Silver Ag 95 g/mt Silver Minor 1988
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Demonstrated 3245000mt ore
    Total resources 3245000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 3.53 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
    Lead Pb 2.83 wt-pct Lead Major 1989
    Silver Ag 97 g/mt Silver Minor 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1990
    Demonstrated 2754000mt ore
    Total resources 2754000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 3.65 wt-pct Copper Major 1990
    Lead Pb 2.64 wt-pct Lead Major 1990
    Silver Ag 116 g/mt Silver Minor 1990
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Demonstrated 1538000mt ore
    Total resources 1538000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 4.88 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
    Lead Pb 3.34 wt-pct Lead Major 1991
    Silver Ag 153 g/mt Silver Minor 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1992
    Demonstrated 1065000mt ore
    Total resources 1065000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 5.78 wt-pct Copper Major 1992
    Lead Pb 3.5 wt-pct Lead Major 1992
    Silver Ag 179 g/mt Silver Minor 1992
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Demonstrated 803000mt ore
    Total resources 803000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 5.08 wt-pct Copper Major 1993
    Lead Pb 2.99 wt-pct Lead Major 1993
    Silver Ag 150 g/mt Silver Minor 1993
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Inferred 342000mt ore
    Total resources 342000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 5.5 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
    Lead Pb 5.29 wt-pct Lead Major 1991
    Zinc Zn 2.12 wt-pct Zinc Trace 1991

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 670M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method HORIZ CUT & FILL W/WASTE ROCK 10-60
    Percent Recovery 95
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK FISSURED WITH MODERATE WATER
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING MAY BACK SLAB
    Mine Support Chars. TIMBER
    Number of Shafts 3
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 2130
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Operating Days per Year 312
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1989

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    PELLETIER, R.A., THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF SOUTH-CENTRAL

  • Reserve-Resource

    AFRICA, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, CAPETOWN, 1964, P. 126-129.

  • Reserve-Resource

    STAFF, TSUMEB CORP, GEOLOGY, MINING METHODS, AND

  • Reserve-Resource

    METALLURGICAL PRACTICE AT TSUMEB, 7TH COMMONWEALTH

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING & METALLURGICAL CONGRESS, VOL. 1, P. 1-19.

  • Reserve-Resource

    TSUMEB, THE MINERALOGICAL RECORD, 1977, P. 1-100

  • Reserve-Resource

    JOKLIK, G.F., KENNECOTT COPPER REPORT ON COMMONWEALTH MINING

  • Reserve-Resource

    CONGRESS PART 2, THE COPPER MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA AND

  • Reserve-Resource

    SOUTH WEST AFRICA, 1961, P-14

  • Reserve-Resource

    E&MJ INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF MINING, 1991

  • Reserve-Resource

    TSUMEB CORP., 1986 ANNUAL REPORT, P.9.

  • Reserve-Resource

    TSUMEB CORP., 1988 ANNUAL REPORT, P.13.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA LTD., 1989 ANNUAL REPORT, P.21.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA LTD., 1991 ANNUAL REPORT, P.8.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA LTD., 1992 ANNUAL REPORT, P.8.

  • Reserve-Resource

    QUARTERLY MINE ANALYSIS, P. 31 (JUNE 1993).

  • Deposit

    DEKUN,N.THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF AFRICA.ELSEVIER PUBL.CO.,

  • Deposit

    AMSTERDAM,1965,PP.391-392,166-167.

  • Deposit

    TOOMBS,R.B.A SURVEY OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF SOUTHERN

  • Deposit

    AFRICA.MINERAL RESOURCES DIVISION,DEPT.OF MINES AND

  • Deposit

    TECHNICAL SURVEYS,OTTAWA,1962,PP.136-140.

  • Deposit

    SOHNGE,P.G.THE GEOLOGY OF THE TSUMEB MINE.CH.IN SOME ORE

  • Deposit

    DEPOSITS OF SOUTH AFRICA,VOL.II,GEOL.SOC.OF SOUTH AFRICA,

  • Deposit

    PRETORIA,PP.367-381. 1964

  • Deposit

    PRIVATE REPORT,1973.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL,JULY&DEC.,1971.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL,JAN&JUNE,1972.

  • Deposit

    JOLLY,J.H.THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF THE TERRITORY OF SOUTH-

  • Deposit

    WEST AFRICA,USBM,MINERALS YEARBOOK,V.III,1972,P.727.

  • Deposit

    PARK AND MICDIARD, PHYSICAL CONTROL OF ORE DEPOSITION, 1964,

  • Deposit

    CHAPTER 4, P 87-94

  • Deposit

    SOHNGE, P.G., PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF

  • Deposit

    SOUTH AFRICA, PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF

  • Deposit

    SOUTH AFRICA, 1963

  • Deposit

    SOHNGE P.G., THE GEOLOGY OF THE TSUMEB MINE, PROCEEDINGS OF

  • Deposit

    GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, VOL. LXV, PART 2,

  • Deposit

    1962 , P. 367-382

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB, CORPORATION LTD, 28TH ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1974

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB, CORPORATION LTD, 30TH ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1976

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB, CORPORATION LTD, 32ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1978

  • Deposit

    MINING AND ENGINEERING JOURNAL, FEB 9, 1952 P. 1019-1025

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING JOURNAL, FEB. 16, 1952, P. 1057-1061

  • Deposit

    MINING AND ENGINEERING JOURNAL, FEB. 23, 1952, P. 1093-1101

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB CORP. LTD., ANNNUAL REPORTS, 1973-88.

  • Deposit

    JOURNAL OF METALS, AUGUST 1969, P. 38-45

  • Deposit

    GEIER, B.H., AND OTTEMANN, J., NEW PRIMARY VANADIUM-

  • Deposit

    GERMANIUM-GALLIUM-AND TIN MINERALS FROM PB-ZN-CU

  • Deposit

    DEPOSIT TSUMEB, S.W. AFRICA, 1970, P 29-40

  • Deposit

    "CONVERTER METALLURGY AND REFRACTORY PRACTICE ASSOCIATED

  • Deposit

    WITH THE TREATMENT OF POLYMETALLIC MATTE AT TSUMEB,

  • Deposit

    S.W. AFRICA", JOURNAL OF METALS -AUGUST 1969, PG. 38.

  • Deposit

    SOUTH WEST AFRICA ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES OF MINERAL

  • Deposit

    DEPOSITS, PP. 162-170

  • Deposit

    "COMMENTS ON A VISIT TO COPPER MINES IN SOUTH AFRICA", BY

  • Deposit

    DOUGLAS R. COOK. SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, APRIL 1, 1965

  • Deposit

    FORTUNE MAG. JAN-JUNE VOL. 41, 1950, "TSUMEB: THREE-YEAR

  • Deposit

    WONDER".

  • Deposit

    "DIE TSUMEB-GRUBE IM OTAVI-BERGLAND (DEUTSCH-SUDWESTAFRIKA)"

  • Deposit

    VON DR. FRITZ-ERDMANN KLINGNER, BERLIN. PP.189-194

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, "TSUMEB CORPORATION LOSES $2.796,000 IN 1975"-

  • Deposit

    MAY 1976.

  • Deposit

    1980 - NEWMONT MINING ANNUAL REPORT, SIMILKAMEEN DIVISION.

  • Deposit

    1981 - NEWMONT MINING ANNUAL REPORT, TSUMEB CORP. LTD.

  • Deposit

    MIN.J 3/15/85 P. 180.

  • Deposit

    INT. MIN. 8/86 P. 84.

  • Deposit

    INT. MIN. 3/87 P. 62

  • Deposit

    MIN.J 11/13/87 P. 415

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB CORP., NAMIBIA: 1986 REPORT, DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

  • Deposit

    JOURNAL OF METALS, CONVERTER METALLURGY AND REFRACTORY

  • Deposit

    PRACTICE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TREATMENT OF POLYMETALLIC

  • Deposit

    MATTE AT TSUMEB, S.W. AFRICA; BY PHILLIP, T.P., AUG. 1969,

  • Deposit

    P. 38-45.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 20-DEC-1994 Difrancesco, Carl A. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

Maps centered on this site