(a) Draw a sketch map of Africa. On the map, locate and name any two...
(a) Draw a sketch map of Africa. On the map, locate and name any two areas of gold mining in South Africa.
(b) Describe one method of mining gold in South Africa.
(c) State any four importance of gold mining to South Africa.
Explanation
(b) Methods of mining gold in South Africa
i. Shaft/Underground method.
(1) Involves underground quarrying
(2) Vertical holes are dug from the gold seam. (3) Gold bearing rocks are broken with explosives.
(4) Gold bearing rocks are taken through conveyor belts.
(5) The rocks are crushed and treated with chemicals to obtain Gold.
(6) Sent to smelters for further refining.
ii. Planning method.
(1) Used to recover gold from river alluvium
(2) Can be an individual.
(3) The materials needed are calabashes and pans.
(4) Sand bearing gold is collected from
river bed along with some water.
(5) The container is turned round and round. (6) The gold sinks to the bottom of the container.
(7) The useless sand on top us to collect the gold.
iii. Open cast method:
(1) Used where seam is close to the surface.
(2) removal of overburden.
(3) Explosives used to break the gold bearing rocks.
(4) The rocks are loaded on trucks with shovels.
(5) The rocks are taken to the crushing mill for extraction/concentration.
(c) Importance of gold mining to South Africa.
(i) Revenue to the government. (ii) Provision of employment. (iii) Provision of social amenities.
(iv) Foreign exchange earnings. (v) Provision of gold for ornament. (vi) Provision of gold as bullions for international currencies.
(vii) Income to workers.
(viii) Skill acquisition.
(ix) Raw materials for ancillary industries. (x) production of geological maps.
(xi) Attraction to great international investments.
(xii) Development of infrastructure In the mining areas.
(xiii) Improved standard of living.
(xiv) Uranium, a bye-product of gold mining is obtained and power.
(xv) Provision of valuable goods, e.g. necklace, earrings, etc.