South African Miners
Mining in South has been a big part in the industry of South Africa. Large scale and profitable mining started when diamonds was found on the bank of the orange river in 1867 by Erasmus Jacobs.
Did you know?
- South Africa is the world's 3rd coal producer.
- Although diamond and gold production have decreased, South Africa is still the world's 5th gold producer.
- In 2012 South Africa took over India as the largest supplier of Iron Ore to China.
- The East Rand Mine, in Boksburg is one of the deepest mines in the world, going down 3,585 meters
- South Africa is the world's largest diamond producer.
Working Conditions
Inside the mines, the temperature is the same as just about anywhere else, except for the gold mines which has an average of going 9°c/km up the deeper it is.(Compared to the world average of 25°C/km) Because of this, the miners can go down depths unattainable anywhere else in the world.
Gold
- Almost 50% of the world's gold reserves were found in South Africa.
- South Africa accounted for 15% of the world's gold production in 2002 and 12% in 2005, though the nation had produced as much as 30% of world output as recently as 1993.
- Despite the declining rate of production, South Africa's gold exports were valued at $3.8 billion US D in 2005.
Diamonds
- Ever since 1868, South Africa is the world leader in Diamond Production.
- The main South African sources of diamonds, including seven large diamond mines around the country, are controlled by the De Beers Consolidated Mines Company.
- In 2003, De Beers operations accounted for 94% of South Africa's total diamond output of 2.38 tonnes! (11,900,000 carats)
- Diamond production rose in 2005 to over 3.16 tonnes. (15,800,000 carats)