The Kimberley Diamond Mine also known as the Big Hole is considered the largest hand-dug hole in the world. After the first diamond was found in this mine in the 19th century, there were 50,000 workers rushed to here, looking forward to change their life thanks to diamonds. Workers who worked tirelessly dug up to 2.720kg diamonds. Surprisingly, these miners did not use any advanced machines but only used human power and very simple tools such as hoes and shovels. Big Hole has a diameter of about 463m and 215m deep. This means that the volume of soil that the workers had dug and moved was extremely enormous. It was estimated that the miners dug and moved about 22 million tons of rocks, of course without machine aid.
In 1914, Kimberley mine was closed because it was too dangerous for workers to exploit. This decision was made when there were many workers perished. After stopping the exploitation, the mine owner has had water poured into the hole and it now looks like a lake. A lot of people have come here to discover this giant hole. Looking from above, Big Hole looks very impressive and beautiful.
The Kimberley Diamond Mine also known as the Big Hole is considered the largest hand-dug hole in the world.
Panorama of the biggest man-dug hole.
Apparently the largest ever hand-dug excavation in the world, this 1097 meter deep mine yielded over 3 tons of diamonds before being closed in 1914.
At the mouth of Big Hole
A sign next to the Big Hole - "If all the diamonds recovered from the Kimberley Mine could be gathered together they would fill three cocopans such as these.”
The photo was captured by satelites.
There's a museum near the Big Hole, which shows what the mined and final products look like.
The map of The Kimberley Mine
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