In 2011 Mark Kielbaso of Mine Rat Minerals got the opportunity to travel to the Tafelkop Area in the Goboboseb Mountains, about 35 kilometers from the Brandberg Mountains, looking for Amethyst specimens that come from the host basalt. Mark was invited to visit the mining area claimed by Monty Van Der Smit, who runs a local crew of miners, and at the end of a hard day ended up camping out at the famous The White Lady guesthouse and restaurant.
A road sign fashioned by the local people of the Goboboseb Area indicating mineral specimens are for sale ahead.
The road leading to Tafelkop, in the Goboboseb Mountains.
The road leading to Tafelkop, in the Goboboseb Mountains.
Pulling into the local mining camp at Tafelkop, Goboboseb Mountains.
Pulling into the local mining camp at Tafelkop, Goboboseb Mountains.
Water delivered to miners camp at Tafelkop, Goboboseb mountains.
Local mineral dealer Monty Van Der Smit from Uis, Namibia.
Local miners drilling to place feathers and wedges, in search of pockets of material.
Local miners working with feathers and wedges to extract material.
Local miners applying equal pressure across the wedges to crack the rock.
Monty Van Der Smit and colleague watch as miners extract overburden revealing amethyst crystals.
Leaving Tafelkop, heading back toward Brandberg to look for Amethyst crystals for sale.
Ostrich in the bush near Tafelkop, Goboboseb Mountains.
Antelope in the bush near Tafelkop, Goboboseb Mountains.
Local miners house near Brandberg, hoping to find amethyst for sale.
Three locals offering amethyst that we ended up not being interested in.
Hoping for better amethyst crystals at the next dwelling!
Local men selling amethyst crystals from the bed of a truck.
Amethyst crystals, some over 8cm long, Tafelkop Area, Goboboseb Mountains.
Amethyst crystal sceptre, 7cm long, Tafelkop Area, Goboboseb Mountains.
Amethyst crystals, the largest being roughly 6cm by 14cm, Tafelkop Area, Goboboseb Mountains.
Amethyst crystal, 6cm long, Tafelkop Area, Goboboseb Mountains.
Light fading on Tafelkop, looking west.
Light fading on Brandberg looking back to the east.
Arriving back in Uis, Namibia in time for dinner at The White Lady.
Better amethyst from Tafelkop offered by Monty.
More of the better amethyst from Tafelkop offered by Monty.
And another of the better amethyst specimens from Tafelkop offered by Monty.
"The good stuff" great amethyst from the Tafelkop Area.
Great quality amethyst from the Tafelkop Area.
More great quality amethyst from the Tafelkop Area.
Deep purple Amethyst from the Tafelkop Area.
Great quality Amethyst from the Tafelkop Area.
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