A geographer assesses the impact of diamond mining on South Africa - Research Paper Example

? A Geographer Assesses the Impact of Diamond Mining on South Africa Mining is South Africa (SA) started in 1880s after the discovery of diamonds on the banks of river Orange. The mining of diamonds and other metals like gold, platinum and cadmium have significantly contributed to making SA the richest nation on the African continent. Mining in SA has had a huge impact on every aspect of life in SA which is exemplified by the effects it has had on the environment, culture and economy of the country as a whole. This paper aims at highlighting the impact of diamond mining in SA from human geography perspective. The impact of diamond mining in SA is a profound phenomenon whose results can be noticed with turn of the eye. The discovery of the first diamond on the banks of river Orange saw the subsequent change of the regions name from Vooruitzigt to New Rush to Kimberly (Ritter 372). This is just an example of how diamond mining had a life changing influences on the lives of everyone in SA. The discovery of diamonds in Kimberly led to a rush or a massive migration of people from other places who came there to mine this new found treasure. According to historical records, in 1873 Kimberly became the largest and most populated town in SA just a few months after the confirmation of diamond deposits in the region. Kimberly is today known as a town with one of the largest holes dug by hand held tools, which has contributed to the site being named as a world heritage site by UNESCO (Sharma 132). Kimberly a city in the Northern cape of SA is nowadays better known as the historic town that pioneered the mining revolution in SA, and helped forever shape the fortunes of the country as a leading producer of precious metals and gemstones. Diamond mining, in SA, can be attributed to have had a significant impact on the lives of communities and individuals who got directly or indirectly involved with the mining activities of SA. A notable character or name that is synonymous with mining and especially diamond mining and trade in the world De Beers. The second large diamond to be discovered in Kimberly was discovered on land belonging to the De Beers brothers who later came to dominate diamond mining and trade in SA and all over the world up to this date. This was made possible by the consolidation of the small mining companies of time to form the De Beers Consolidated Mines which has a monopoly over diamond trade in the world up to this date (Afolayan 68). Diamond mining caused elevated levels of rural-urban migration especially of black Africans who sought employment in the mines and the great city life experience that Kimberly as the largest town in SA provided. The De Beers encouraged this rural-urban migration because it provided cheap labor that was vital to the profitable running of the mines. The urbanization of this region in SA contributed to a myriad of both negative and positive social cultural factors that were directly or indirectly affected by mining activities. A good example of a vice or social ill that can be construed to be as a direct result of mining and the miners who worked there is prostitution (Marsh 230). Women and girls from every part of SA moved to Kimberly in an effort to cash in on the gold and diamond rush that was taking place. There were other varieties of socio-cultural ills that are usually spawned by urbanization and they were all present in Kimberly. Mining helped create a phenomenon called the status quo, which saw the establishment of classes within the society. These classes saw black Africans occupying the lowest class in that society, which was the poorest, least educated and most oppressed by the rich and educated class of mainly white people (Pitzl 141). This unequal stature in society is still present today albeit diminished or in represented differently compared to that period. Urbanization meant that people got exposed to the white man’s education which can be said to have significantly contributed SA’s advancement in economic and social terms. This is because the early exposure of the majority African population to education meant that SA had a large portion of its population much earlier than any other African nation. Diamond mining saw SA acquire wealth through the sale of its minerals, which helped it develop other sectors of its economy like infrastructure, education, health and governance. Despite of all this, SA’s history is tainted by the regime of apartheid against the black South Africans for decades which saw the country’s ruling regime discriminate against black South Africans. Apartheid contributed to extreme prejudice and oppression of black Africans in SA until the regime was done away with in 1994 when the first democratically elected a black president, Nelson Mandela came into office (Erin, Alexander &de Blij 52). The socio-economic climate of SA revolves around mining because it is the country’s sole largest foreign exchange earner. The rural-urban migration witnessed in the late 1800s and early 1900s established an urban culture in SA that has remained relevant up to date. As with any other urban setting where there is a big gap between the rich and the poor, South African cities are characterized by informal settlements on the outskirts of every major town or city(Pitzl 141). The status quo was entrenched by the apartheid regime which saw the marginalization of black people up to the twenty first century. This contributed to a disparity in living standards all over the nation, which contributed to spiraling crime waves being noticed today in almost the major cities in South Africa. Social unrest is a common feature in today’s SA, with mine workers contributing to this unrest most of the time because of the dangerous conditions they have to work in the mines.  Fig 1. Map of South African Diamond Mines. (Coutersy of Boostmaps). The map above shows all the diamond mining sites in SA and also shows the general geography of SA in relation to its neighboring countries. Apart from mining, SA is also famous for its vineyards, which is made possible by its unique climate especially at the capes of Good Hope or Town and Pretoria (Sharma 132). Mining has had far reaching effects on the topography and environment of SA, which can be evidently seen whenever someone visits some of these mining towns. As indicated on the map, all spots marked with a blue pentagon represent a diamond mining site in SA. In almost all of these mining sites, there have been adverse effects of mining activities on the environment. In mining sites where strip mining is or was carried out, the landscape is left scared with open pits dotting the landscape. This holes and pits pose a danger to both man and wildlife that might fall into these holes and injure themselves or drown if they are filled with water(Afolayan 68). The use of chemicals to dissolves some of these ores on the site of mining is dangerous because of these chemicals are harmful to the health of both man and beast. These chemicals sometimes leach and reach the water table that is the source of drinking water meaning that it is contaminated and poses as a health risk. Mining in SA has positively contributed to the wellbeing of the nation in terms of contributing to its development economically. The prosperity of SA can be largely attributed to revenue generated from mining activities, but at the same time, these activities have had a negative impact on the human and physical geography of SA. Soweto the largest informal settlement or slum in the SA city of Johannesburg is because of the gold rush that happened because of the Kimberly discovery (Erin, Alexander & de Blij, 52). This is because the Kimberly discovery led to exploratory efforts in the whole of SA, and where minerals were found, people followed. The status quo established between the rich and the poor, and its strengthening by the apartheid regime saw extreme violation of black Africans rights. In conclusion, diamond mining in SA has had a significant influence and impact on its economy and socio-cultural development. This is because it is evident in the country’s economy and how the people of SA have adapted their culture around mining as a part of their traditional way of life. SA human geography is significantly influenced by mining activities that go on in most parts of the country. Work Cited Afolayan, F. S. Culture and Customs of South Africa. Illustrated Edition. London: Greenwood Publishing Group. 2004. Print. Erin, H. F., Alexander, B. M. & de Blij. Human Geography: People, Place, and Culture. 9th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 2009. Print. Marsh, M. Barron’s AP Human Geography. 3rd Revised Edition. New York: Barron’s Education Series. 2010. Print. Pitzl, G. R. Encyclopedia of Human Geography. Illustrated Edition. London: Greenwood Publishing Group. 2004. Print. Ritter, C. R. South Africa. Illustrated Edition. Pretoria: ABDO. 2011. Print. Sharma, P. Human Geography: Energy Resources. London: Discovery Publishing House. 2007. Print. Read More