Nyimba area
Hofmeyr mine: The Hofmeyr mine near the town of Nyimba has produced beautiful tourmaline of all colours for decades. Named after the nearby Hofmeyr mission the mine produced superb gem tourmaline for decades. It has been dormant for a while and only recently started production again under a new licence held by a cooperative run the local communities in 2010. A large pegmatite as much as 5m in thickness can be traced for over 150m running roughly North-South. Deep pits and shafts testify to intense mining activities. Currently, countless small holes are being dug into the soil below the large pegmatite vein mining for alluvial stones. The main vein is attacked in one area by benching deep into the pegmatite. The colour variety of the tourmaline from this mine is extraordinary ranging from bottle green to clean pink including rare colours like deep red, blue and turquoise.
Hofmeyr mine in October 2013
Hofmeyr mine in July 2014
Nyimba: The tourmaline mine is located next to the Hofmeyr mission.
Nyimba: The old church of the Hofmeyr mission is a land mark.
Nyimba: Workings in the soil below the pegmatite (on top of the hill).
Nyimba: Mining the soil for 'alluvial' stones.
Nyimba: Mining the soil for 'alluvial' stones.
Nyimba: Old workings on the pegmatite.
Nyimba: Recent benching on the pegmatite.
Nyimba: Workings on the pegmatite.
Nyimba: Welcome to Gem City.
Nyimba: A turquoise blue tourmaline from the Hofmeyr mine.
Nyimba: Rather unorganised digging at the base of the hill with the pegmatite.
Nyimba: Miner ready for work.
Nyimba: One man, one pit.