South Africa, located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, is renowned for its rich diamond resources. The discovery of diamonds in South Africa dates back to 1866 when a young shepherd named Erasmus Jacobs picked up a unique stone along the banks of the Orange River. Later identified as a 21.25 - carat diamond, it was named the “Eureka” diamond, marking the first diamond discovery in the country.
The diamond - mining history in South Africa is extensive. The famous Kimberley Mine, also known as the “Big Hole,” is a significant example. In 1871, diamonds were found on the farm Vooruitzicht belonging to the De Beers brothers. From 1871 to 1914, around 50,000 miners dug the hole with simple tools. This open - cast mine, which once spanned 17 hectares with a width of 463 meters and a depth of 240 meters (later reduced to about 215 meters due to debris filling), produced approximately 2,720 kg or 13,600,000 carats of diamonds. After above - ground operations became unfeasible, the De Beers company continued underground mining to a depth of 1,097 meters.
South Africa’s diamond deposits are widespread. In addition to the Kimberley area in the Cape, diamonds are also found at the Premier Mine near Pretoria in Gauteng and in many mines in the Free State. Alluvial diamonds are scattered around South Africa, especially in the region of the Orange River mouth and along the Namaqualand coast of the Cape. Some of the world - famous diamonds, like the “Cullinan,” which weighed a staggering 3,106.75 carats when discovered in 1905 at the Premier Diamond Mine, originated from South Africa. The diamond industry plays a crucial role in South Africa’s economy, with its diamonds being highly valued globally for their quality and size.
