Wadi Kharig is about a 30-minute ride from Serabit el-Khadim. The site seems to have been exploited in an earlier age than that of Serabit el-Khadim, since it bears a hieroglyphic inscription on a stela dated to the Fifth Dynasty from the reign of Sahure (2487–2475 B.C.), as well as remains of crucibles for smelting copper that were found in the area. 

Courtesy of Beithathor