Top wonders of South Africa
Cape Town &
environs
Drakensberg
Mountains
Kimberly
Diamond Mines
Kruger National
Park
Panoramic
Route
Phinda
Table
Mountain National Park
My other South Africa pages
South Africa
Wonder map
Honorable
mentions
Country facts &
tidbits
Big 5
safari animal photo gallery
South Africa home page
South African
cuisine
World wonders
More
Site map
About me and my credentials
About my website
Reader testimonials
Email me your opinion
Kimberly Diamond Mine
South Africa tips you can trust
Why the
Kimberly Diamond
Mine
is special
The Kimberly Diamond Mine is the world's most legendary mining endeavor. Its Big Hole captures the imagination of visitors.
Kimberly
Diamond Mine
tips & insights
Big
Hole
(see photo)
This famous hole-in-the-ground was a hill when the mining began in the early 1870s. Over time, the workers dug deeper and deeper into the ground for diamonds until the opening became too deep to be mined effectively. The Big Hole was abandoned and rain water partially filled it.
Lesser
holes
The Kimberly Diamond Mine property has other gigantic excavated pits, which were also abandoned in due course.
New
mining method
Today the shaft rather than the pit method is used. Miners work far below the ground using modern equipment and tools.
History
in brief
When diamonds were discovered at the site in the early 1870s, floods of fortune seekers arrived. Most failed. A few became rich. The mining operation gained notoriety in the past for its treatment of its black workers.
Click
Kimberly Diamond Mine - PAGE TWO
for more pointers
sponsored ad
Explore my
candid country, region
and other travel guides
Click links for tips & insights
WONDERS OF ... | WONDERS OF ... | CRUISE GUIDES | SAFARI GUIDES | WORLD'S TOP WONDERS |
| ||||
| OTHER TIPS & INSIGHTS | ||||
|
| |||
SPECIAL TOPICS | MORE | |||
| ||||
|
| |||
|
| |||
|
| |||
|
| |||
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
©2012 HQP - Hillman Quality Publications / hillmanwonders.com
