The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-06-15
TON OF DIA-
MONDS A YEAR
DE BEERS MINES PRODUCE THEM
AND WE BuY MOST or THEM.
How They Are Mined-Workmen Live
in Compound and are Searched
Every Night.
New York SUM-

ern Africa. 1t was not until 1865, how
ever, that Dutch farmer, finding some
Boer children playing with a heavy,
bright stone, had it examined and dis
covered that it was a diamond.
The result was mad rush to South
Africa. There were many prospectors
and such confusion of claims that in
1871 the British Government operated
the mines under leases.
1889 Cecil Rhodes and Barney Bar
nato headed the famous De Beers Con
solidated Mines Company, which came
into possession of the richest gold
fields in the world, valued at $780,
100000. In 1903 the De Beers Com
pany mined $25,OOO,OOO worth of dia-
monds at an average value of SO
caret.
OF this amount America purchased
$23, 100000 worth
Diamonds are found in the large
deposits of lava, or blue ground,
that have been forced through vast
craters in past ages.
Each mine consists of a large basin
like crater on the surface, gradually
tapering downward TO an unknown
depth. Within radius of three and
a nalf miles are TIM ecbeingBMS, FIX
a half miles, five of the worlds lead
ing diamond mines are located. Many
more in the neighboring districts are
yet unworked.
At the present time, says the Bust
ness Mans Magazine, the Kimberley
mine is 2,160 feet deep and the De
Geers 1920 feet deep. Running at
right angles to these shafts are main
drives extending across the strata of
blue ground at a distance of 60 to
120 feet apart. From the end of these,
drifts or offshoots about % feet apart
are dug through to the rim of the rock
on the opposite side.
Before reaching this rim, however,
they are widened out into chambers
or galleries, and pillars are left at
intervals to uphold the roof Here
the Kaffir boys work in gangs of TWEEN
ty-five to forty, drilling and blasting
ton of white miners The walls are
worked until they break through into
another chamber, when the miners
turn their machines upon the ceilings.
Here they continue until they break
into the level above As soon
as the higher level is struck and the
debris that has fallen from the open
workings fills the chambers the men
retreat to the next chamber, blasting
the remaining pillars at the same time.
Upon being received at the surface
the precious earth is automatically
conveyed to the dumping grounds, |
which consist of acres and acres of |
spread to a depth of not exceeding 10 |
inches and allowed to remain from
three to six months, according to the
rapidity with which it disintegrates |
During this period it is turned over
by harrows drawn by |
stationary engines.
When finally sent to the washing
machines it is mixed with water and |
passed through a set of revolving
screen perforated with holes of differ
ent sizes. It is then assorted by |
gangs of white men who with tool
like trowel pick out the diamonds.
The remaining earth is then examin-
ed by natives for stray stones.
This method of handling the stuff
is being superseded by mechanical
assorters, which consist of several in
clined, perforated shelves coated with
grease. All material other than the
passes from one shelf to
another. The diamonds alone stick
10 the grease.
One of the safeguards against theft
IS the engagement of all employees for
a period of three months, during
which time they are kept under close
guard and when not at work are con-
lined within a large compound sur
rounded by several high fences, the
edges of which are covered with fine
act, thus preventing anything from
being thrown outside.
A central store is located in the
where all necessaries can
1e purchased at a reasonable cost
rhe men depart for and return from
work through long subterranean
passage leading from the compound
o the mines.
On the extensive drying floors,
which are encircled by a barbed wire
ence, high towers are located, where
guards are posted, and from which
powerful searchlights operate at '
light. Even with these precautions !
he employees are searched every even
ng when returning from work, each