South Africa has the largest known gold reserves in the world. Estimated to be around 40000 tons, this country cradles 40-50 % of the global gold reserves. Mining is perhaps the biggest industry of South Africa, and the nation’s economy basically depends upon it, because the gold resources in South Africa is very rich
Witwatersrand is the largest and famous gold reserve in South Africa. It all started way back in 1867, when a diamond was accidentally discovered on the bank of the Orange River. Thousands and thousands of native as well as foreign people rushed to the diamond and gold fields to profit from this business. The gold mining industry has flourished since then and continues to do so.
Gold mining was initially done in the same manner as mining copper, iron or other minerals. Thousands of diggers worked day and night to dig out gold, which was processed in traditional ways. Gold was smelted in the furnaces, just as iron or copper are smelted. The gold thus produced was used as jewelery or as barter for the exchange of other goods from other countries.
Gold was mined and melted to a limited extent because of its tedious nature.
The geological nature of South Africa is such that the gold though, is uniformly distributed, but is found deep down in low-grade ores. Employing traditional labor methods had a major drawback i.e. very little production of gold. To overcome this problem, gold mining was steadily shifted to sophisticated mechanical and chemical methods. In 1891, MacArthur-Forrest Cyanide process was discovered for the separation of gold from its ores.
Apart from this, the geological facts of deep reef mines are unbelievable. The rock gets harder as it gets deeper, and the thermal temperature rises above 50 degree Celsius which is simply impossible for a person to bear. In order to cool down the mines, huge quantities of water are required to pour in the mine which is pumped back on the surface. New refrigerator system is being used nowadays, which employs tones of ice to bring down the heat in the mines, and make working conditions bearable. This method increases the production cost manifold.
Gold mining was always a rich man’s/company’s venture. When mining started in South Africa, thousands of individuals claimed ownerships. But as they realized that it was an expensive business, they sold out their mines to prospective clients. Foreign companies made huge investments in gold mining, while the native people worked as labors on extremely low wages. Ironically, black locals were hardly ever given ownership rights, and even today only 4% of gold mines have hired blacks on managerial level jobs.
Mining industry in South Africa has employed millions of people to date. The economy of this country has always depended upon mining and metallurgy. Since its inception in the 19th century, the occupation of gold mining has not only been viewed and valued for its profit reaping aspects but also for the exploitation of the black workers and consequential discrimination, leading to a number of civil wars.
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