Theory question 108
Geography of Africa(a) Describe the major method of gold mining in South Africa. (b) Highlight any four benefits of gold mining to the country. (c) Identify three problems which result from gold mining activities.
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(a) Deep underground (shaft) mining on the Witwatersrand: vertical shafts sunk to the gold-bearing reef (often over 3,000 m deep); horizontal tunnels (adits) driven to the reef; holes drilled and blasted with explosives; broken ore carried to the surface by lifts and conveyors; crushed and treated (cyanide process) to extract gold.
(b) Foreign exchange; employment; government revenue; growth of towns (Johannesburg); infrastructure (railways, roads, power); growth of other industries and manpower development.
(c) Dangerous working conditions and accidents (rock falls, heat); land degradation and mine dumps; pollution of water and air; exhaustion of deposits; labour unrest and migrant-labour problems.
Underground mining is used because the reef is very deep.