The development of the mining industry in South Africa up to 1900

Essay from the year 2020 in the subject History - Africa, grade: B, , course: History, language: English, abstract: This essay discusses the role of the state and mining companies in the development of the mining industry in South Africa up to 1900. According to Shula Marks the discovery of diamonds in Griqualand west gave a way for large companies and underground mining at Kimberly in the late 1870s, it also gave a way for a wave of international investors; so called mine magnets such as Cecil Rhodes and de Beers which were heavily involved in this activities. Mining companies therefore played a major role in the development of diamond mining in South Africa. Marks also puts it clear that capital investment in the Cape government securities became a major role in the relationship between the Cape and Great Britain, the capital was furthering local interests through building railways and other public works. The state government was therefore also heavily involved in the diamond mining in South Africa.