Namibia is one of the top countries with vast deposits of sodalite, alongside Brazil, Greenland, India, Canada, and Russia.
The Namibian version, the African Blue Sodalite, is rare and sought after by designers worldwide because of its unique blend of intense royal blue with infused white or greyish calcite veins.
The stone derives its name, sodalite, from its high sodium content, and this mineral composition may subtly influence the body’s sodium levels.
The sodalite dimension stones are at the northern border of Namibia, near Otjimuhaka (previously Swartbooisdrif) in the Kunene Region. Otjimuhaka is about 75 kilometres west of Ruacana.
Much of the blue sodalite mining is done within EPL 5885, which belongs to Kunene Resources Namibia (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of a Canadian company, Namibia Critical Metals Inc.
EPL 5885 project is roughly 16 km east of Okongwati town and approximately 70 km west of Ruacana.
The EPL is situated on communal land, and the northern part of the EPL borders the Kunene River. The EPL covers an area of approximately 450km2 from the eastern foothills of the Zebra Mountains to Swartboois Drift, a historical crossing point between Namibia and Angola on the perennial Kunene River.
Within the EPL exists a mining license (40), and KNL of Namibia carries out sodalite mining. There are also various mining claims, of which 24 are active for dimension and semi-precious stone, while 35 are inactive and on application.
Gecko Namibia owned EPL 5885 before it sold its 95% interest in a portfolio of exploration properties to the then Namibia Rare Earth Inc., now Namibia Critical Metals, in 2017.
The portfolio consists of 14 exploration prospecting licences, one mineral deposit retention licence and Gecko Namibia’s rights under an option agreement to acquire a 60% interest in a further exploration prospecting licence, which interest may, subject to the terms of the option agreement, be increased to 80%.
In return, Gecko Namibia received 64 million common shares and a US$500,000 private placement.
According to the deal, Gecko Namibia would eventually own 69 million common shares of Namibia Critical Metals, or 43.75% of the outstanding common shares.
A special vehicle, Kunene Resources Namibia, in which Namibia Critical Metals owns 95%, and a Namibian partner, Amor Investments, holds 5%, was formed.
EPL 5885 resides under Kunene Resources.
Companies or individuals with active mining claims can independently mine and issue export permits.
However, those mining claim applicants with pending applications would require written consent from Gecko as one of the requirements to activate their mining claims.
Only three other companies have claims that are not linked to Gecko Exploration. Anyone into blue sodalite mining must go through Gecko Exploration for permission.
Once they get permission, Gecko Exploration demands N$28,000 per container. Gecko also allows artisanal and small-scale miners working within its EPL, and without valid mining claims, to mine on condition that they pay N$1 per kg (N$1.000 per ton) as an admin fee.
The miners can only sell the high-grade blue sodalite exclusively to Gecko Exploration.
Most small-scale miners are mining boulders using jackhammers and excavators, as they need more machinery and technical know-how to extract blocks.
Only one site, associated with Chinese nationals, has the required technological and technical knowhow to produce blocks, which are sought after by manufacturing plants and are more valuable due to the value-added addition.
Since these blocks are categorised as “dimension stone” to produce slabs and tiles, this creates opportunities for industrialised cutting and polishing plants, ornamental stones, and jewellery making from a “semi-precious stone” perspective.
The big markets for slabs include Europe for tiles and the Middle East as a replacement for marble in mosques. In contrast, the Indian and Chinese markets are enormous for jewellery and ornamental stones.
The wellness industry is another big consumer, popular among spas and meditation routines for chakra enhancement.
Mining licence 40
KNL of Namibia (Pty) Ltd holds the mineral rights to license 40, covering about 640ha, issued on April 24, 1997.
Although the life of the mine is set at 25 years, the estimated mining lifespan could be more than 50 years.
A March 2021 draft environmental management plan shows that KNL of Namibia applied to expand license 40 by adding claims 68664, 70783, 70784, 70113, 70114, and 70119.
The draft plan also said that with a maximum monthly production of 5,000 tons, 139 truckloads at 36-ton payloads would be required, equivalent to five trucks daily.
According to the Volza Global Vuyers and Sellers directory, KNL made 32 export shipments of blue sodalite to South Africa, China, and India in January 2024.
KNL has already established a central processing facility for sodalite-dimension stone blocks at the Oroutumba settlement.
Sodalite origins & uses
The Sodalite meaning is derived from the Latin term solidarity, which means comrade, with the stone representing a comrade to those who wear it as it assists them in feeling peaceful and healing their troubles or conflicts.
It is called the Blue Logic Stone for its ability to clear the mind and bring out deep thought while empowering the analytical side of a person with creativity, observation, discipline, and the clearing of one’s vision.
Sodalite is associated with the Sagittarius star sign and is paired with the elements of water and air, bringing calmness, clarity, and amplified communication.
Sodalite has earned a reputation as a powerful aid in physical healing.
A support stone for the immune system, it bolsters the body’s defences, helping to prevent illnesses and accelerate recovery.
It’s often used to combat fever and sinus inflammation, relieving those suffering from allergies or recurrent infections.
Sodalite also balances one’s metabolism, improves calcium deficiencies, and boosts the immune system.
The physical healing properties of sodalite also extend to the metabolic and immune systems.
It’s thought to balance metabolism, aid digestive disorders, and effectively use the body’s energy resources.
By cleansing the lymphatic system, sodalite contributes to detoxifying the body.
Sodalite can help prevent insomnia, promoting a good night’s rest for those struggling with sleep.
It’s also associated with reducing blood pressure and calming the physical body, making it a valuable stone for hypertension or stress-related conditions.
Sodalite, renowned for its mesmerising deep blue hue, boasts many physical benefits that crystal enthusiasts have revered for centuries.
Notably, it is often employed as a calming agent, particularly effective in mitigating the physiological responses to stress and anxiety, including calming panic attacks.
In addition to its calming effects, sodalite is believed to aid in water retention, a condition characterised by the buildup of excess fluids in the body, leading to swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and legs.
Sodalite’s ability to balance the body’s mineral levels may help regulate water balance and blood pressure, thereby reducing the symptoms of water retention.
Sodium, a vital electrolyte, plays a crucial role in nerve and muscle functions, maintaining blood volume and blood pressure, and balancing bodily fluids.
Additional information from https://lightoftwelve.com and www.stonecontact.com
