Big Hole (republic of South Africa)

Big hole — huge invalid diamond mine in the city of Kimberley (Republic of South Africa). It is considered that it is the greatest pit developed by people without use of equipment. Now is the main sight of the city of Kimberley.

Since 1866 for 1914 about 50 thousand miners dug mine by means of picks and shovels, having developed thus 2,722 tons of diamonds (14,5 million carat). In the course of development of a pit 22,5 million tons of soil were taken. Exactly here such well-known diamonds, as "Bierce" (428,5 carats), bluish-white "Porter-Rhodes" (the 150th carat), orange-yellow were found by "Tiffany" (128,5 carats). Now this field of diamonds is settled. The area "Big hole" makes 17 hectares. Its diameter makes 1,6 km. The hole was dug on depth of 240 meters, but then was is filled up with dead rock up to the depth of 215 meters, now the bottom of a hole is filled by water, its depth makes 40 meters.

On a mine place earlier (about 70 — 130 million years ago) there was a volcano muzzle. Nearly hundred years ago – in 1914, development in "A big hole" was stopped, but the gaping muzzle of a tube remains to this day and now serves unless as a bait for tourists, carrying out a museum role. And … starts creating problems. In particular, there was a serious danger of a collapse not only its edges, but also the ways paved in close proximity to it. Road services of the Republic of South Africa already forbade long ago journey in these parts heavy cargo transport, and now strongly recommend also to all other drivers to avoid driving through Bultfonteyn Road around Big Hole.Власти are going to block a dangerous site of the road completely. And the largest diamond company of the world "Bierce", owning this mine since 1888, didn't find anything the best how to get rid of it, having offered for sale.