Today (Wednesday 11 November) has been the most physically energetic day since we arrived in South Africa, with a walk of several kilometres deep in the gold mine at Tsepong. This mine belongs to the Harmony mining company and provides employment for about 5,000 people directly, and probably supports many times that number, in terms of subcontractors and employees families.
It is unusual for visitors to be allowed into these mines, and we could only do this because some of the mine managers are close friends of the Rotary Club.
We were introduced to the mine manager, who gave us an introductory chat. Then there is a long process involved, starting with extensive form filling, then being kitted out with overalls, boots, socks, hard hats, and the all-important miner's lamp.
We went through several secure gates, then boarded the lift which wound us down into the mine. The three-storey lift cage takes 42 people on each platform, and there are over sixty different levels in the mine. We went to level 66 - approx 2000 meters below ground.
We walked some distance, getting gradually deeper, then boarded a small train which took us further. Eventually we reached the "action" where miners carry out the routine process of drilling holes into the narrow gold-bearing seam, then inserting thin packages of explosive which first cracks a block of rock, then pushes it out for collection and processing above ground.
Despite massive air conditioners, it is quite hot underground, and the areas where the miners work are very retricted. Not an easy job!
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