Kombat

Kombat (the place of the giraffe) is a mine and its associated settlement at the southern margin of the Otavi Mountain Range in northern Namibia. It is situated 37 kilometres (23 mi) East of Otavi on the B8 to Grootfontein.[1] Kombat at its peak had over 1,000 inhabitants. As of 2015 it is almost abandoned, although Kombat Primary School still operates at reduced capacity, and a clinic is serving the remaining inhabitants.[2]

For other uses, see Kombat (disambiguation).
Kombat
Mining settlement
Kombat
Location in Namibia
Coordinates: 19°43′S 17°43′E
Country Namibia
RegionOtjozondjupa Region
Established1900
Time zoneUTC+2 (South African Standard Time)
ClimateBSh

Minerals were discovered near Kombat in 1850. Around the year 1900, Kombat Mine was opened to extract copper.[1] It was operated by Tsumeb Corporation Limited until the 1970s and by Ongopolo Mining as from 1999. In 2006 Ongopolo and the mine were taken over by Weatherly International PLC, a mining house based in London. Soon thereafter in 2007 the mine flooded, was abandoned, and has been dormant since. In 2015 Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti acquired the town and the mine for 50 million N$, allegedly with the intention of re-selling it to the Namibian government at a handsome profit.[3][2]

Nambulite, a very rare gem, from Kombat Mine. The sample size is 0.7 x 0.6 x 0.4 cm.

Besides copper, there are sizeable deposits of lead and silver.[3] The mine is known for a host of rare minerals, including glaucochroite.[1]

In the vicinity, Welwitchia Health Training Center brought life to the known ghost town of Kombat. It offers Bachelors of Nursing Science program, Enrolled Nursing Science and Midwifery as well as Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology.

There are also recreational facilities such as Kombat Lodge where visitors and people of the town can enjoy themselves.


  • Carbonate rocks at Kombat (2014)

References
  1. "Kombat Mine, Kombat, Grootfontein District, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia". Mineralogy Database. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  2. Kahiurika, Ndankie (28 October 2015). "A ghost town called Kombat". The Namibian.
  3. Neethling, Andre (5 May 2011). "What is happening at Kombat?". Namibian Sun. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2012.


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