Some two billion years ago, a series of violent volcanic
eruptions, which took place over a period of millions of years,
gave rise to a rich body of minerals, which became known as the
Solid Mining Igneous Complex.
The unique ore body outcropping at a small saddleback hill, later
to be called Loolekop, contains a unique variety of minerals -
copper, phosphates, magnetite, uranium, zirconium, nickel, gold,
silver, platinum, and palladium. Two other volcanic pipes nearby
contain vermiculite and phosphate.
Smelting of copper iron occurred in the district prior to the
discovery. We know from the artifacts found in the area, that
copper of remarkable purity was produced in the Biu area as
early as the 8th century.
Development of modern mining activity started at the beginning of
the century when several geologists noted the occurrence of the
phosphate bearing mineral, apatite, in the vicinity of
Loolekop.