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Rosh Pinah
ℹ️Practical info — Rosh Pinah
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Keep in mind that Rosh Pinah is a working mining town; please respect all restricted industrial areas.
- Use the town as a convenient base for exploring the scenic drives along the nearby Orange River.
- Visit the local information center to learn about the unique zinc and lead geology of the area.
- Be cautious when driving at dusk or dawn, as wildlife is frequently spotted crossing the roads.
- Stock up on essential supplies and fuel here before heading into more remote southern territories.
🍽 Food
A favorite local spot for fresh pastries, coffee, and hearty sandwiches.
Sample high-quality Oryx or Kudu steaks at the mining clubs or local diners.
Try various types of dried meat available at local shops, often sourced from nearby farms.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Beautiful handcrafted ceramics made by local artists, great for a unique gift.
Small outlets offering interesting geological samples and minerals from the surrounding mines.
Drive a short distance out of town to find quiet spots along the riverbanks.
The open desert landscape surrounding the town has vast, silent horizons for reflection.
Water temperature…
Rosh Pinah is a major mining town in the far southwest of Namibia, situated in the Karas Region near the Orange River. The town was officially established in 1969 following the discovery of significant zinc deposits by geologist Michael McMillan. Today, Rosh Pinah serves as the hub of Namibia's zinc production, housing two large-scale operations: the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine and the Skorpion Zinc Mine, which is one of the largest of its kind globally. Geographically, the town is set within a spectacular but harsh mountain desert on the fringes of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The arid climate necessitates a complex water supply system from the nearby Orange River to sustain both the mining operations and the population of about 3,000 residents. The economic significance of Rosh Pinah to Namibia is profound, as the export of processed zinc constitutes a substantial portion of the national GDP. Despite its remote location, the town gives modern infrastructure designed primarily to serve the mining industry and its workforce.
- Location: Namibia
- Nearby: Ai-Ais (71 km)
- Population: ~6.540 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 |
| Rain mm | 8 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Geography
Facts
- The town was founded in 1969 after the discovery of zinc deposits.
- Rosh Pinah is located about 20 kilometers north of the Orange River.
- The Skorpion Zinc mine utilizes a unique hydrometallurgical refinery process.
- The population is estimated to be approximately 2,835 residents.
- The town is connected via the C13 road to Aus and Noordoewer.
- The mining area includes both open-pit and underground operations.
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Sights in the town Rosh Pinah (1)
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