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Mining industry of South Africa

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Mining has had a profound impact on the history and development of South Africa. Gold extraction controlled much of the region's development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. More recently, the nation has become the world's leading producer of materials such as platinum and chromium[1]. Diamonds are also a significant export.

On November 27, 2007, the National Union of Mineworkers announced that South African mineworkers would go on strike to protest unsafe working conditions. [2] The strike is set to begin on December 4, and will impact over 240,000 workers in 60 of the nation's mines. [3]

History

Diamond and Gold discoveries played an important part in the growth of the early South African Republic. A site northeast of Capetown was discovered to have rich deposits of Diamonds, and thousands rushed to the area of Kimberley in an attempt to profit from the discovery. The British later annexed the region of West Griqualand, an area which included the diamond fields. In 1868, the republic attempted to annex areas near newly discovered goldfields, drawing protests from the nearby British colonial government. These annexations later led to the First Boer War of 1880-1881. [4]

Gold was discovered in the area known as Witwatersrand, triggering what would become the Witwatersrand Gold Rush of 1886. Like the diamond discoveries before, the gold rush caused thousands of foreign expatriates to descend on the region. This heightened political tensions in the area, ultimately contributing to the Second Boer War in 1899.

The gold mining industry continued to grow throughout much of the early 20th century, significantly contributing to the tripling of the economic value of what was then known as the Union of South Africa. In particular, revenue from gold exports provided sufficient capital to purchase much-needed machinery and petroleum products to support an expanding manufacturing base. As the era of apartheid began in 1948, the mining industry benefited from inexpensive black labor. [5]

Modern Industry

As of 2007, the South African mining industry employs 493,000 workers The industry represents 18% of South Africa's $588 Billion USD Gross Domestic Product. [6] [1]

Gold

South Africa accounted for 15% of the world's gold production in 2002[7] and 12% in 2005, though the nation had produced as much as 30% of world output as recently as 1993. Despite declining production, South Africa's gold exports were valued at $3.8 Billion USD in 2005. [8] Almost 50% of the world's gold reserves are found in South Africa. [7]

Among the nation's gold mines are two of the deepest mines in the world. The East Rand Mine, in Boksburg, extends to a depth of 3,585 meters. A 4 meter shallower mine is located at TauTona in Carletonville, though plans are in place to begin work on an extension to the TauTona mine, bringing the total depth to over 3,900 meters and breaking the current record by 127 feet. [9]

Diamonds

Ever since the Kimberley diamond strike of 1868, South Africa has been a world leader in diamond production. The primary 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 the nation's total diamond output of 11.9 Million carats. This figure includes both gem stones and industrial diamonds. [10] Diamond production rose in 2005 to over 15.8 million karats. [8]

Platinum and Palladium

South Africa produces more platinum and similar metals than any other nation. [1] In 2005, 78% of the world's platinum was produced in South Africa, along with 39% of the world's palladium. Over 163,000 kilograms of platinum were produced in 2005, generating export revenues of $3.82 Billion USD. [8]

Chromium

Chromium is another leading product of South Africa's mining industry. The metal, used in stainless steel and for a variety of industrial applications, is mined at 10 sites around the country. South Africa's production of Chromium accounted for 39% of the world's total production in 2005, and consisted of 7.49 Million Metric Tonnes of material. [8]

Working Conditions

Issues of mine safety have received increased scrutiny during 2007, in large part due to multiple worker deaths.[3] During 2006, 199 workers were killed during workplace accidents, and 191 have been killed during 2007 (as of 23 November 2007). One incident on 4 October resulted in 3,200 workers being trapped for several hours. The incident, located at the Elandsrad mine of Harmony Gold Company, caused South African President Thabo Mbeki to mandate full safety audits for all operating mines. This audit has caused additional facilities to shut down, including the nation's largest gold mine located at Driefontein.[11]

The South African National Union of Mineworkers, which represents the nation's mineworkers, has engaged in a series of talks with the Chamber of Mines, an industry group. The meetings have also seen the participation of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, a body with mediation authority over the dispute. On 27 November, the commission approved a one-day strike for 4 December. The strike would affect an estimated 240,000 workers at 60 sites across the country, including mines devoted to the production of gold, platinum, and coal. [12]

See Also

References

  1. ^ a b c "CIA World Factbook, South Africa". United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  2. ^ "First-ever industrywide strike to hit South Africa mines". Retrieved 2007-11-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b "Officials meet to decide planned S.Africa mine strike". Retrieved 2007-11-27. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Duxbury, Geo. (1981). David and Goliath: The First War of Independence, 1880-1881. South African National Museum of Military History. ISBN 0620050128.
  5. ^ Thompson, Leonart Monteath (2001). A History of South Africa. Yale University Press. pp. 154–155. ISBN 0300087764.
  6. ^ Charlotte Mathews (2007-11-07). "South Africa: Mining Investment Shows Recovery". Business Day (Johannesburg).
  7. ^ a b "United States Geological Survey, 2002 Mineral Industry Report" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  8. ^ a b c d "United States Geological Survey, 2005 Minerals Yearbook: South Africa" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  9. ^ Naidoo, Brindaveni (2006-12-15). "TauTona to take 'deepest mine' accolade". Creamer Media's Mining Weekly Online. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  10. ^ Template:PDFlink
  11. ^ "Gold Fields Says Africa's Biggest Gold Mine Halted". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  12. ^ "South African miners to strike on Dec. 4". Reuters. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
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