The Northern Cape is an expansive,
arid region occupying almost one-third of South Africa's
surface area. It is a region of startling contrast and is
known for
its
diverse natural and cultural heritage.
Fortune seekers discovered a rich, rare kimberlite pipe
which led to the growth of the ever-widening and deepening
hole that formed as they followed the trail of diamonds.
Mined to a
depth of 215 metres, and with a surface area of 17 hectares
and a perimeter of 1.6 km, it is the largest hand-dug
excavation in the world. By the time mining was suspended
in 1914, 22.5 million tons of earth had
been excavated, yielding over 14.5 million carats of diamonds.
