DEEP LEVEL GOLD MINING Why is Gold valuable

DEEP LEVEL GOLD MINING �Why is Gold valuable? Gold is one 3 precious metals others are platinum and silver. Characteristics of Gold that makes it valuable: v Durability-does not tarnish or corrode v Flexibility v Conductivity (able to transfer heat) v Heat reflecting v Colour –its rose –colour making it ideal for use in jewellery

Discovery of Gold on the Witwatersrand �In 1872 gold was discovered on the farm Spitspok in Lydenburg district of the Zuid –Afrikaanse Republiek. �In 1886 more Gold was discovered in Witwatersrand by George Harrison and George walker on the farm Langlaagte.

HOW GOLD IS MINED. � Open pit mining – large trench like opening which is dug. � Underground gold mining- gold is extracted from the rock known as ore. These mines can be very deep nearly 4 km underground. � Extracting gold underground required expensive machinery and only the rich could afford it. � Conditions underground are damp and dark some can be very hot and noisy and the tunnels maybe covered with hot, � In narrow tunnels miners work on their knees, backs or stomachs � Dangers include cave ins , mine fires , explosions or exposure to harmful gases. � Dust from drilling can cause pneumoconiosis also called black lung disease from coal dust or Silicosis from rock dust.

RANDS LORDS &THE CHAMBER OF MINES �The discovery of gold in 1886 was the start of industrial revolution in SA which saw the making of magnets, millionaires and paupers �Ownership of mines fell into the hands of few entrepreneurs who were mainly Europeans &became to be known as Randlords. �They understood how finances worked and were good organisers who worked together as groups. �They consolidated companies and financed them in this way they gained control of Gold and Diamond mining �Barney Barnato was a well known Randlord �Anglo American company which is now part of Anglo. Gold Ashanti was formed

Chamber of mines �Chamber of mines was established in 1889. It was formed by the mining group to prevent competition for labour and represented all South African mining companies in their interaction with Govt. (the ZAR Volksraand) �Rules followed by the chamber of mines �Negotiate labour concerns on behalf of mine workers. �Administering training programs for mine workers. �Train workers in rescue and safety.

Conditions underground p 114, 115 �Why is Gold valuable list 3 things �List 3 conditions underground. �What dangers were faced by miners underground �Why was it necessary to establish the chamber of mines �What role did the Rand lords play in establishing the chamber of mines.

Rand-lords and the chamber of mines p 115 � Discovery of gold in 1886 on Witwatersrand was the start of the industrial revolution. � The next 50 years saw the making of magnates, millionaires and paupers, shopkeepers and entrepreneurs. Activity: p 115 1. What are Rand-lords? 2. Name 1 of the well known Rand-lords. 3. What year were the Chamber of Mines established ? 4. Why was is it necessary to establish the Chamber of Mines ? 5. List the 3 roles of the Chamber of Mines.