Barite

specimen number:
8311423

location:
N'Chwaning II Mine, Northern Cape, South Africa

description:

A thick black tabular lustrous slightly translucent crystal of barite set up on a matrix of scalenohedral calcite crystals. This is in great condition. Exceptionally nice for this locality and species.

The N'Chwaning II Mine, situated in the Kalahari Manganese Field near Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, is a premier locality for rare and aesthetic minerals. Geologically, it is part of the Hotazel Formation within the Transvaal Supergroup, a vast sedimentary manganese deposit formed during the Paleoproterozoic era approximately 2.2 to 2.3 billion years ago. The deposit was subjected to later hydrothermal alteration, which created an environment conducive to the growth of exceptional secondary minerals, including barite. Barite from N'Chwaning II is frequently found as transparent to translucent, honey-yellow or colorless tabular crystals, often associated with black manganese oxides. Historically, industrial mining and quarrying at N'Chwaning II began in 1981, following the success of the original N'Chwaning I shafts. The mine, operated by African Rainbow Minerals and Assmang, has remained a steady producer of high-grade manganese ore for over four decades. While its primary output is metallurgical, the mine gained global fame in the late 20th century for periodic pockets of world-class mineral specimens. As of 2026, N'Chwaning II continues active underground operations and remains a legendary name for collectors of fine South African barite.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.