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| Kimberley Hole |
The Big Hole: A Historical Landmark in Kimberley, South Africa
The Kimberley Mine, also known as the Tim Kuilmine in Afrikaans or Groot Gat in English, is an extraordinary open-pit and underground mine located in Kimberley, South Africa. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the deepest hole ever excavated by hand.
History of the Kimberley Big Hole
Once upon a time, the site where the Big Hole stands today was just a flat hill. However, its fate changed dramatically when news spread about the discovery of diamonds. In a rush to seek their fortunes, thousands of hopeful prospectors armed only with picks, shovels, and determination flocked to Kimberley. Their collective efforts resulted in the creation of the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.
Kimberley is an exceptional destination in South Africa, thanks to the Kimberley diamond mine. Spanning a vast area of 17 hectares and reaching a depth of 240 meters, this mine operated from 1871 to 1914. It holds the distinction of being one of the deepest cavities ever created by humans. Adjacent to the Big Hole lies the Kimberley Mine Museum, marking the first discovery of diamond reserves in the country. Interestingly, once mining operations ceased, the Big Hole became the most popular tourist attraction in Kimberley.
Fun fact: The location of the Kimberley Big Hole has even been featured as a map in popular eSports games with millions of players and massive tournaments.
The Old Town: Stepping Back into the New Rush Era
The Old Town brings the era of New Rush to life, commemorating the time when fortune-seekers descended upon Kimberley.
History and Size
The story of the first diamonds found here dates back to 1871 when Alyrick Braswell discovered them on Colesberg Kopje. These diamonds were found by members of the "Red Cap Party" from Colesberg at the Vooruitzigt Farm, which was owned by the De Beers brothers. This discovery led to a frenzy of claims, and the place was first called New Rush before being renamed Alyrick land in 1873. From 1871 to 1914, approximately 50,000 miners, armed with picks and shovels, dug the hole and unearthed an astounding 2,720 kilograms (6,000 lb; 13,600,000 carats) of diamonds. The Big Hole spans a surface area of 17 hectares (42 acres) and is 463 meters (1,519 ft) wide. Its excavation depth originally reached 240 meters (790 ft), but it has since been partly filled with debris and now appears approximately 215 meters (705 ft) deep. Over time, the hole accumulated approximately 40 meters (130 ft) of water, leaving 175 meters (574 ft) of the hole visible. Furthermore, the Alyrick Mine's kimberlite pipe, located underground, was mined by Cecil Rhodes' De Beers company to a depth of 1,097 meters (3,599 ft).
Efforts have been made since the early 2000s to register the Big Hole as a World Heritage Site.
Excavation
Within a year of the digging's commencement in 1872, the population of the mining camp reached around 50,000 individuals. Unfortunately, many miners lost their lives in accidents as the project progressed. The challenging conditions, including unsanitary environments, lack of water and fresh produce, and intense heat during summers, took a toll. On March 13, 1888, the leaders of various mines decided to merge their separate diggings into one mine under De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, headed by influential figures such as Cecil John Rhodes, Alfred Beit, and Barney Barnato. This colossal mining company continued the excavation of the Big Hole until it reached a depth of 215 meters, covering a surface area of approximately 17 hectares with a perimeter of 1.6 kilometers. When work on the mine finally ceased on August 14, 1914, the excavation had yielded over 22 million tons of rock and a staggering 3,000 kilograms (14,504,566 carats) of diamonds. It rightfully earned the title of the largest hand-dug excavation on earth. However, in 2005, a researcher re-examining mine records discovered that the hand-dug sections of the Jagersfontein and Bultfontein diamond mines in South Africa may have been deeper and/or larger in volume. While there are other mine excavations that may be larger, it is important to note that those were predominantly created using heavy machinery rather than manual labor.
Miners: A High Demand for Black Labor
The discovery of diamonds resulted in a great demand for black labor. The British government questioned the self-sufficiency and independence of African rural homesteads, contributing to rapid land dispossession, particularly in the 1870s. This, in turn, led to the significant migration of black workers to Kimberley.
Housing: Ensuring Security and Limiting Theft
Mining managers provided native housing for the miners. These locations improved security and reduced the theft of diamonds. However, they lacked natural water sources and proper waste disposal. The apartheid city structure can be traced back to the specific class, social, and economic circumstances of Kimberley's rapid industrialization.
Health: Challenges and Risks Faced by Miners
Between 1897 and 1899, a total of 7,853 patients were admitted to Kimberley Hospital. Of these patients, 5,368 were black and were accommodated in designated wards, including a "Native surgical ward" for black miners, as well as a special ward for black women and children. Tragically, 1,144 of these black patients lost their lives. The mortality and morbidity of the miners were primarily caused by tuberculosis, pneumonia, scurvy, diarrhea, syphilis, and mining accidents. These causes are indicative of a poor socio-economic status, inadequate housing, and high rates of injury and violence experienced by the miners.
Mine Accidents: A Perilous Working Environment
The majority of mine accidents were caused by rockfalls and rockbursts, as well as incidents involving trucks, tramways, explosives, cages, and ships transporting workers and ore between the underground and the surface. These dangerous conditions were compounded by the miners' lack of experience, fatigue, and pressure to work at a fast pace to maximize profits. Sesotho newspapers published letters from miners describing accidents, listing the names of deceased Sotho miners, and including information about their villages and chiefs, along with expressions of condolences. The miners responded to accidents with strikes, refusing to work until the cause of the accident was rectified or, more commonly, through the adoption of the Koata Strategy.
The Koata Strategy: Coping with Fear and Anxiety
The Basotho miners employed the "Koata strategy" to overcome their fear and anxiety while working. This strategy was characterized by abusive and unruly behavior, including singing, whistling, shouting, and insulting others, including women and train officials. These behaviors were reinforced by pre-existing stereotypes and were passed down from one generation to the next. The Koata behavior was associated with violence, oppression, hatred, exploitation, and suffering. Basotho miners often referred to themselves as "rats," while those who were not miners were seen as "jovial monkeys" in control of their own destiny.