evidence of Nama copper workings (local metals used to produce implements, tools and jewellery and as a medium to barter)
Mid-19th century:
first recorded mines in the “mountains of copper”
1852:
first 11 tonnes of copper shipped to Wales from Hondeklipbaai
1867:
start of geological exploration efforts in the Northern Cape
1867:
first diamond discovered on banks of Orange River
1870:
first narrow-gauge railway line built to transport ore to the coast
1888:
Establishment of De Beers – the largest and most prestigious diamond company worldwide
1920s:
first manganese mines started
1929:
Beeshoek starts producing
1930:
Samancor founded; railway line from Koopmanfontein to Postmasburg opened
Post WW2 (1945):
demand for iron ore and manganese recovers in Europe
1954:
Opening of Sishen iron ore mine
1960 to 1970:
large-scale investment flows into the establishment of infrastructure; connections to Eskom power
1960:
Finsch diamond mine opens at Lime Acres
1964:
Sishen-Saldanha rail link established
1967:
iron ore railings grow to exceed 1Mt; 120 railway trucks dispatched daily
1970s:
Assmang capacity doubles, becomes largest exporter of iron ore; Belgravia mine opening; N’chwaning and Gloria commissioned
1975:
the Beeshoek iron ore facilities were enlarged
1980:
agreement between Assmang and Iscor on railing to the Saldanha port
1980s:
volatile political climate and looming recession
Post 1994:
economy improves and Beeshoek South commissioned
Modern era post 1994:
move to redistribute the SA’s mineral wealth to the broader population; restructuring and corporate activity; formation of ARM; Transnet commits to expanding capacity on Sishen Saldanha rail link
2015:
mining becomes the largest employment sector in the Northern Cape
![Mining [photo]](/images/ncmc/photo-history.jpg)
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