A Legacy on the Brink of Renewal: My Visit to Kenya's Scorpion Mine

Reviving the Birthplace of Ethically Mined Tsavorite

Some journeys you take as a gemstone lover are about searching for stones. This was not one of them. This was a search for a story, and I found one of the most powerful I've ever encountered. I’ve just returned from Kenya, where I was given the privilege of visiting the legendary Scorpion Mine—the birthplace of Tsavorite (green garnet).

My journey began in Voi, where I met Joseph, who would be my guide. As we left the town together, the paved road quickly gave way to the red earth that stains everything it touches as you head into the bush.

During the drive, Joseph began pointing out the white concrete blocks on the side of the road—the official mining beacons. He stopped at the first one, which bore a weathered plaque with the name "Laura," a tribute to Campbell Bridges’ daughter. Joseph explained that all nine beacons along the concession were originally named for members of Campbell’s family. It was a beautiful testament to how intertwined his work and loved ones were.

Joseph, the Scorpion Mine's manager, looks at the weathered plaque on a mining beacon on the road to the Tsavorite mine in Kenya

But as we continued our journey, reality set in. We passed beacon after beacon, but their plaques were missing—lost to time and the elements. It felt like a small, sad metaphor for the larger story: the strong foundations Campbell built are still standing, but the names and identity are weathering away, waiting to be restored. Finally, we passed through the gate: Bridges Exploration Ltd, Scorpion Mining Entrance.

Kim Rix with two security guards at the gated entrance reading "Bridges Exploration Ltd, Scorpion Mining Entrance" in Kenya

Campbell Bridges: A True Pioneer in the Bush

The first thing that struck me about the camp was the stillness. It’s a place that feels like it’s holding its breath, waiting. The ground is covered in quartz that crunches underfoot, and the whole camp feels like an outdoor museum. But this was once the home of a true pioneer. Joseph told me stories of Campbell’s early days, long before the camp looked like it does now. Campbell, a brilliant geologist, literally made his home in a treehouse to stay safe from wild animals at night. He even kept his food in a green-painted box hidden high in the branches to avoid attracting attention. He lived and breathed this land.

The old tree-house stands sturdy. Interestingly, Campbell Bridges never really allowed dogs at the camp because he felt they disturbed the local wildlife.

Kept for historical reasons; the Land Rover Defender was Campbell's first mine vehicle in Kenya and the Kubota was the mine's first underground tractor.

This scientific, practical approach was often at odds with local beliefs. Joseph shared with a smile that many people believed mining success required superstition. "You hear stories," he said. "Offer a goat or a cow, so that you get some production. That's a myth." Campbell, in contrast, brought geology, professionalism, and a deep respect for the science of gemmology to the forefront.

Scorpion Mine, Kenya: A Benchmark for Ethical Gem Mining

That professionalism was the foundation of his entire operation. Joseph has been here for 28 years and spoke with great pride about the standards Campbell set. "We had to maintain the highest standards possible," he explained. This wasn't just talk. It meant providing every miner with proper Personal Protective Equipment—helmets, safety boots, gloves, overalls as well as medical care. It also involved using expensive water drills when digging, a technique that suppresses the fine, dangerous dust that can cause fatal lung diseases. In the tunnels themselves, they carefully installed roof bolts to prevent collapses.

The closed steel gates and trolley tracks at the entrance of the Scorpion Mine shaft, awaiting the revival of ethical Tsavorite mining

The result of this unwavering commitment to safety speaks for itself. "In his 28 years," Joseph said, a statement that resonated deeply with me, "we never had a mine accident." In an industry where headlines of tragedy are all too common, this is an extraordinary achievement. It proves that mining can be done ethically and safely when the will is there.

The Magic of Discovering Tsavorite Pockets

And that hard, ethical work led to moments of pure magic. I asked Joseph about the most remarkable stone he’d ever seen. He told me about a time around 2005 when Campbell himself was working underground. The team hit what geologists call a "boudin"—a large, rounded pocket in the earth that is, in a miner's dreams, full of gems.

"It was a nice pocket," Joseph remembered, his eyes lighting up. "That's when I saw nice pieces." This is the thrill that every person in the gem trade chases—that moment of discovery when the earth finally reveals the treasure it has been holding for millions of years. It’s a moment this mine, and its workers, are waiting to experience again.

Kim Rix, Joseph, and Love enjoying the campfire, sharing stories at the Scorpion Mine in Kenya.

A Vision for the Future of Tsavorite Mining

The tragic murder of Campbell Bridges in 2009, a devastating loss caused by conflict over the mine's resources, cast a long shadow. Today, a simple white cross marks the spot where he fell, serving as a solemn reminder of the stakes involved and the necessity of secure, legal operations to prevent such lawlessness.

A simple white cross stands in the Kenyan bush, marking the memorial site for slain geologist Campbell Bridges

This story, however, is not about an ending. It’s about a new beginning that is tantalizingly close.

Over the past decade, Campbell's son, Bruce Bridges, has been committed to a singular, powerful vision: reviving his father’s mine to the same world-class ethical standards. He has carefully navigated the complex application process with patience and thoroughness. Everything is now in place, ready and awaiting the final green light to commence.

The potential here is immense. Granting the license would do more than just reopen a mine; it would be a catalyst for new beginnings, reviving the regional economy and allowing Kenya to proudly reclaim its title as the world’s leading source of ethically mined Tsavorite.

As I left the Scorpion Mine, I felt mixed emotions. It's impossible for your heart not to ache for the legacy that has been stalled for so long. But mingled with that sadness was an undeniable and profound sense of hope. That hope is for the day the stillness of the camp is replaced by the buzz of activity Joseph had described—the sound of around 100 people going about their daily work.

I felt immense gratitude to Bruce Bridges, who is not just preserving a legacy but championing a future. His relentless commitment is the force that has made this new chapter possible. And my thanks go to Joseph, the mine's steadfast custodian, who protects its history and so generously shared its story with me.

This is a rare opportunity to unlock a bright future for everyone involved. I, for one, will be watching and cheering for the day when the drills at Scorpion Mine turn on once again, letting its brilliant legacy shine.