northen cape

HISTORY

OF DIAMONDS IN THE

NORTHERN CAPE

Many South African diamonds have been found in this province.This province has many mines compared to other Provinces.The first South African diamond was found in this Province.It was found in 1867 near the banks of the Orange River at Hope town. It was a 21ct stone. The second diamond was found in 1868 ,80m north of Hope town ,the German mission of Pneill on the banks of the Vaal River a tributary of the Orange. The village of the Klipdrift ,now known as Barkly west ,across the river has since become a centre of alluvial diamond mines known as Wet Diggings.

FINSCH MINE

The Finsch pipe is the most important kimberlite in this cluster ,which includes the Peiserton pipe and six other occurances. Finsch was discovered in 1960 on the farm Carter Block 458 ,in the Postmasburg District ,by the prospectors Alistair Finscham and Wilhelm Scwabel 130 km west-northwest of Kimberley.

KIMBERLEY MINES

The De Beers Kimberlite-pipe mines and most mines dumps in Kimberley are grouped together under the umbrella of De Beers Mines division ,and are now relatively minor contributors to the total South African diamond production. In 1995 ,the production totalled 593630ct. At present there are three kimberlite pipes being mined in kimberley .

BELLSBANK-BARKLY WEST AREA

A large number of small diamondiferous kimberlite of both group 1&2 varieties occur in the Barkly West District to the north and northwest of kimberley ,between in the Barkly West in the South and Bellsbank in the north.Some of these kimberlites have been known since the turn of the century ,and have been mined at various times in the past .

BUSHMANLAND ALLUVIALS

Alluvial diamond deposits occurring above the western ascarpement in Bushmanland and Namaqualand have been described by DeWit (1993).The most successful mining operation away from the Orange River has been at Bosluispan on the farm Boslius 238, situated 90km south-southwest of Pofadder.

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FINSCH MINE	The Finsch pipe is the most important kimberlite in this cluster ,which includes the Peiserton pipe and six other occurances. Finsch was discovered in 1960 on the farm Carter Block 458 ,in the Postmasburg District ,by the prospectors Alistair Finscham and Wilhelm Scwabel 130 km west-northwest of Kimberley.
KIMBERLEY MINES	The De Beers Kimberlite-pipe mines and most mines dumps in Kimberley are grouped together under the umbrella of De Beers Mines division ,and are now relatively minor contributors to the total South African diamond production. In 1995 ,the production totalled 593630ct. At present there are three kimberlite pipes being mined in kimberley .
BELLSBANK-BARKLY WEST AREA	A large number of small diamondiferous kimberlite of both group 1&2 varieties occur in the Barkly West District to the north and northwest of kimberley ,between in the Barkly West in the South and Bellsbank in the north.Some of these kimberlites have been known since the turn of the century ,and have been mined at various times in the past .
BUSHMANLAND ALLUVIALS	Alluvial diamond deposits occurring above the western ascarpement in Bushmanland and Namaqualand have been described by DeWit (1993).The most successful mining operation away from the Orange River has been at Bosluispan on the farm Boslius 238, situated 90km south-southwest of Pofadder.