IMPORTANCE AND PROBLEMS FACING DIAMOND MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA

 South Africa is the third world producer of diamond, the first is DRC and the second is the former USSR. Others are Botswana, Ghana, and Sierra Leone etc. Diamond is the hardest mineral. In South Africa mining began in 1871 at Kimberly.

The methods involved in the mining process are placer method for alluvial diamond and shaft method for the diamond found in the deep ground.

Diamond is used for making jewels, manufacturing the drilling bits, making cutting instruments like for cutting glass, diamond dust for polish. Places or areas where diamond is produced in South Africa are;

i) Kimberly cape province

 ii) Transvaal

iii) Port mus burg

 iv) Orange free states(Pretoria)


 Importance of diamond mining in South Africa

i) Provision of employment opportunities not only in South Africa but also in other countries.

ii) Development of social services.

iii) Development of towns and cities e.g. Pretoria.

iv) Increases the national income from its sales.


Problems facing diamond mining in South Africa

i) Price fluctuation in the world market which causes low profit making.

ii) Labour unrest, no peace, misunderstanding among blacks and whites.

iii) Shortage of food among workers caused by overpopulation around mining centers.

iv) Competition from other mining countries.

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