MINING FOR SCHOOLS ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY: GOLD MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
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MINING FOR SCHOOLS ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY: GOLD MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
CONTENTS
SECTION G1 2 SECTION G5 28
What is gold? 3 Why gold mining matters 29
The discovery of gold What makes gold special? 4 Factors that favour and hinder gold 31
was a turning point in Uses of gold 5
mining in South Africa
South African history, The Krugerrand 8
Safety and health 33
and South Africa’s total Environment 35
SECTION G2 9
gold reserves remain Environment and legacy issues 37
Where gold is currently mined 10
some of the world’s Gold mining technology 39
Major South African gold mining 14
most valuable. companies
Modernisation 41
Quotes about gold 43
SECTION G3 15
Fun facts about gold 44
The gold mining life cycle 16
SECTION G6 45
Gold mining in South Africa SECTION G4 20
continues to be a major Terms and definitions 46
People of gold 21
contributor to the economy
and the establishment of the Jobs in gold mining 25
nation’s infrastructure. Brief history of gold mining in South Africa 26
PAGE 1
MINING
FOR SCHOOLS
SECTION G1
Rand Refinery Limited
PAGE 2
SECTION G1
WHAT IS GOLD?
Gold is a metallic element with
the atomic number 79 and the
chemical symbol Au. Au comes
The name gold comes from the Latin aurum, which
from an Old English word means ‘shining dawn’.
meaning yellow. In Xhosa On the periodic table of elements, gold is
referred to as a ‘transition metal’ and is also
and Zulu, the precious one of the so-called precious metals. Transition
metal is known as igolide. metals are special in that they are usually shiny,
are conductive and malleable, and have a
tendency to form compounds.
Even though we use the metric system, the weight
of gold is often reported in troy ounces (1 troy
ounce = 31.1034768 grams). When consumers buy
gold they do so according to its ‘purity’, which is
measured in karats. It is believed that this measure
comes from the word carob, because the seeds of
the carob tree were apparently used to balance
scales in ancient gold markets.
Today, karats refers to the percentage of gold in
an object – 24 karats = 100% gold, and Rand Refinery Limited
18 karats = 75% gold.
PAGE 3
SECTION G1
WHAT MAKES GOLD SPECIAL?
Gold, a naturally occurring metal, Not only is gold often used in implants (in
stents or pacemakers, for example) because
has been used throughout history
of its anti-bacterial properties, but gold
to symbolise wealth, power, compounds may also be used in drugs. These
accomplishment and beauty, have been used as anti-inflammatories for the
and as an enduring form of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and more
recently researchers have found that gold has
currency. Gold was used as early
the potential for treating HIV and even cancer.
as 6000 BC, mainly for its beauty And, the beauty fraternity has found its (rather
and symbolism. expensive) value for the rejuvenation of aging or
sun-damaged skin.
Gold has many unique qualities. Gold has
superior electrical and thermal conductivity, You can even eat gold! Pure gold – in leaf, flakes
which means it easily allows the transport of an or dust – has been used by renowned chefs to
electric charge and quickly conducts thermal add a touch of glamour to food and drink. Gold
energy. It also has infrared reflectivity, which is inert so it passes safely through the body.
means it reflects infrared radiation.
It does not react with air, water and most other
substances, so won’t corrode or tarnish.
Gold combines well with other metals to form
an alloy. Gold is also ductile (can be stretched
AngloGold Ashanti Limited into a wire) and is malleable (can be flattened
by hammering or rolling).
PAGE 4
SECTION G1
USES OF GOLD
Throughout history gold has been
highly sought-after, revered and
cherished. More than that, it is
used for a myriad of applications
and remains one of the most
sought-after precious metals
found on the planet.
Gold is highly prized not only for its natural
beauty but for its rarity, usefulness and
versatility, and can be found in almost every JEWELLERY
sphere of modern life. Gold’s many, and diverse, The use of gold in making jewellery dates back
properties – some of which are unique to gold to around 6,000 years ago. Egyptian pharaoh
– make it an indispensable and vital component Tutankhamun’s famous burial mask was made
in various fields. Traditionally gold has been from gold. Approximately 78% of the total gold
used to make coins, bullion and jewellery, but in mined each year is made into jewellery as it
recent times it has been used in a variety of less is very easy to work, can be drawn into wires,
typical ways. hammered into thin sheets, melted and cast into
shapes, is tarnish resistant, has a very high lustre
and a desirable yellow colour.
Jewellery is still the most common way gold
reaches consumers.
PAGE 5
SECTION G1
USES OF GOLD (CONTINUED)
FINANCES AND INVESTING DENTISTRY AND MEDICINE
Throughout history, gold has been seen as Gold has been used in dentistry since
a symbol of wealth and used for financial 700 BC. It is chemically inert, easy to insert
transactions. The first purely gold coins are and non-allergenic in nature and therefore
believed to have been manufactured in the Asia highly suitable for fillings, crowns, bridges
Minor kingdom of Lydia in 560 BC. This tradition and orthodontic appliances. The gold used in
continues today and gold is still the most dentistry is predominantly white gold, usually
popular precious metal for investments. 15 karat or higher, or a gold alloy.
One of the most common ways to hold or Gold is also used in medicine in salt or
invest in gold is in gold coins, gold bars, or radioisotope forms which are taken orally or via
gold bullion. South Africa’s Krugerrand is the injection to alleviate certain conditions including
world’s most widely-held and actively-traded severe rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis.
gold bullion coin, developed by the country’s Small amounts of gold isotopes are used in the AEROSPACE
then Chamber of Mines. The first 22 karat gold diagnosis and treatment of certain illnesses. In Gold plays a vital role in the aerospace industry
Krugerrand was minted on 3 July 1967. lagophthalmos, a condition characterised by where consistent and effective technologies
a person’s inability to close their eyes, a small are key to survival. Gold is used to lubricate
amount of gold is planted in the upper eyelid various mechanical parts, in circuitry to conduct
to help the person close their eyes. The gold electricity and to coat the insides of spacecraft
isotope, gold-198, is used in the treatment to protect people inside from infrared radiation
of cancer. and heat.
PAGE 6
SECTION G1
USES OF GOLD (CONTINUED)
ELECTRONICS RECOGNITION
Gold is a dependable, highly-efficient conductor The unparalleled beautify and qualities of gold
Gold is
and connector, and it does not corrode making make it one of the highest status symbols. We
it perfect for use in circuitry. A small amount is use gold for our most noteworthy objects:
even used
found in almost all electronic devices, including wedding rings, Olympic medals, religious icons
cell phones, televisions, calculators and global and Oscars.
in making
positioning system (GPS) units.
Rapid accurate transmission of digital
information is vital in today’s world and gold,
as an efficient and reliable conductor, is often
energy-
found in desktop and laptop computers to efficient
glass for
facilitate accurate transmission of digital data at
remarkable speeds.
multi-storey
buildings.
PAGE 7
SECTION G1
THE KRUGERRAND
The Krugerrand is the The Krugerrand was the world’s first ounce-
denominated gold coin. Although Krugerrands
world’s most widely- are actually legal tender, their value has never
held and actively-traded been displayed on the coin. This is because the
value of each coin is linked to the prevailing
gold bullion coin. It was gold price.
developed in the 1960s by The first 22 karat gold Krugerrand was
the then Chamber of Mines minted on 3 July 1967. Since that time more than
60 million Krugerrands in all sizes have
of South Africa, working been minted.
closely with the South In 1980, the fractional Krugerrands (½ oz, ¼ oz
African Reserve Bank and and 1/10 oz) were added to the 1oz Krugerrand
so the smaller buyer could buy gold at an
the South African Mint. affordable price. Unusual for gold coins at the
time, the Krugerrand could be converted into
any currency. The Krugerrand was the first legal
tender gold bullion coin to gain worldwide use
in the modern era.
PAGE 8
MINING
FOR SCHOOLS
SECTION G2
Harmony Gold Ming Company Limited
PAGE 9SECTION G2
WHERE GOLD IS CURRENTLY MINED
North West Province
4
4 Kalgold
Gauteng
North West 3
2
1
West Rand
Doornkop
Free State 2
Evander
Moab Khotsong (Cooke) Rand Uranium
Kopanang (including Great
Tau Lekoa Noligwa)
3
TauTona
(including Savuka)
South Africa Driefontein
Kloof
South
Deep
Mponeng
Kusasalethu
Target 1
Tshepong
Phakisa
Masimong
Free State
1 Bambanani
Legend Unisel
AngloGold Ashanti Pan African Resources
Harmony Village
Beatrix
Sibanye Defunct operations
Gold Fields
Joel
Note: Most mining companies have surface and retreatment
plants in the vicinity of their mining operations
PAGE 10SECTION G2
WHERE GOLD IS CURRENTLY MINED (CONTINUED)
GEOLOGY northern and western margins of this basin, but
not in a continuous band.
South Africa’s gold ore reserves in
The Witwatersrand Basin is covered by younger
the Witwatersrand Basin, a gold
sedimentary and volcanic rocks such as
placer deposit, with gold hosted by
those making up the Ventersdorp and Karoo
conglomerates and grits, has been Supergroups. The underlying sedimentary rock
mined for more than 100 years has been laid down over a period which ended
but remains the greatest unmined about 2,700 million years ago, when widespread
faulting resulted in extensive lava flows covering
source of gold in the world.
the Witwatersrand Basin.
The Witwatersrand is underlain by an The gold was embedded in a conglomerate and,
underground geological formation also known at first, it was assumed that this was alluvial
as the Witwatersrand Basin. It lies on the gold in an old riverbed. It was then found that
Kaapvaal Craton, and is one of the world’s the conglomerate, or conglomeratic zone, was
largest gold placer deposits. This elliptical part of a sedimentary succession. It was traced
basin stretches over an arc of roughly 400km east and westward for a continuous distance of
traversing across the Free State, North West and 50km and became known as the Central Rand AngloGold Ashanti Limited
Gauteng provinces. Gold occurs only along the Gold Field.
PAGE 11SECTION G2
WHERE GOLD IS CURRENTLY MINED (CONTINUED)
WITWATERSRAND BASIN
Johannesburg Dome
Johannesburg
EAST RAND “The underlying
GOLDFIELD
Carletonville
WEST RAND
EVANDER sedimentary rock
GOLDFIELDS
GOLDFIELDS has been laid down
FAR WEST RAND
GOLDFIELDS over a period which
Potchefstroom SOUTH RAND
GOLDFIELDS ended about 2,700
Vredefort Dome
years ago, when
widespread faulting
Key resulted in extensive
Central Rand Group
West Rand Group
lava flows covering the
Welkom FREE STATE
GOLDFIELDS
Basement Granite Witwatersrand Basin.”
Faults
Towns
0 40 km
PAGE 12SECTION G2
WHERE GOLD IS CURRENTLY MINED (CONTINUED)
The gold in the Witwatersrand Basin occurs conglomerates or reefs are generally tabular
in the coarse grained conglomerates forming with varying dips. Most of the Wits basin
the upper portions of the ‘Witwatersrand is covered by later stage sediments of the
Supergroup’ that hosts roughly 7,000m of Ventersdorp and Karoo groups, with the
sedimentation. It is found here in association Wits outcropping in Johannesburg, which
with uranium, quartz, carbon seams, started the Wits gold rush over a 100 years
phyllosilicates and pyrite. ago and resulted in formation of the city
of Johannesburg.
After over 100 years of mining on the Kaapvaal
Craton, operations in this area have reached South Africa does have other smaller gold
depths of 4,000m. At this depth, the natural producers outside of the Witwatersrand, in
rock temperatures reach about 50°C and the the form of Archaean greenstone belts. The
virgin vertical rock pressures of the order of main gold producing greenstone belts are the
Barberton greenstone belt and the Kraaipan
100 MPa provide an indication of the enormity
greenstone belt. The Barberton greenstone belt
of the challenges facing mining.
is situated in Mpumalanga province, just north
The Wits sedimentary basin is massive and of Swaziland. The Kraaipan belt is located west
stretches through an arc of approximately of Johannesburg, near Kuruman. Other smaller
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited 400km across the Free State, North West belts exist in the Limpopo Province, but have
and Gauteng provinces. The gold-bearing been worked sporadically.
PAGE 13SECTION G2
MAJOR SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINING COMPANIES
For many years until This was the boom period for The following major South African gold mining
companies each own a number of mines:
South African gold mining with
2006, South Africa was
production peaking in 1970 at
the world’s dominant more than 1,000 tonnes and
gold producer. More the gold price reaching $850/oz
AngloGold Ashanti Gold Fields Harmony
recently, other countries in 1980. Limited Limited Gold Mining
Company Limited
have surpassed South
Top 10 global gold producers – 2017 – metric tonnes
Africa, although none has
approached the country’s 426
peak production which Pan African
Resources
Sibanye
Stillwater
Village
Main Reef
occurred in the 1970s. 295
271
These companies are all listed, which means
230
176
their shares are traded on an official stock
162 154 140 131 exchange. A listed company must adhere to
102
the listing requirements of that exchange.
Many pension funds such as the Government
Employees Pension Fund and private pension
China Australia Russia United Canada Peru Indonesia South Mexico Ghana
States Africa funds own shares in these companies, so
indirectly many South Africans are part-owners.
Source: GFMS, Thomson Reuters, US Global Investors
PAGE 14MINING
FOR SCHOOLS
SECTION G3
Sibanye Gold Limited
PAGE 15SECTION G3
THE GOLD MINING LIFE CYCLE
STEP 1 (SURFACE): STEP 2 (SURFACE): STEP 3 (UNDERGROUND):
EXPLORATION CONSTRUCTION GOING UNDERGROUND
Prior to mining, exploration takes place to The mine site must be prepared for Miners, mining materials and equipment are
find gold-bearing ore in commercially viable development. The headgear over the mine transported deep underground via the mine
concentrations. Geochemical and geophysical shaft needs to be built and the shaft sunk cage in the vertical shaft, which can go to
techniques are used to identify the presence of deep into the ground to transport people and depths of up to 3.5km below the surface. Open-
a buried ore deposit. Geologists drill to check materials in and out of the mine. Other required pit gold mining also takes place in South Africa.
mineral quality in identified locations. The South infrastructure includes structures for mining, This is a mining technique which excavates at
African government regulates the mining licence milling and processing; and various workshops. the surface to extract ore. The mine is open to
processes for exploration, mining, environmental the surface for the duration of its life.
authorisations and water use.
Note: Environmental management and rehabilitation take place at each stage of the mining process.
AngloGold Ashanti Limited Sibanye Gold Limited Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
PAGE 16SECTION G3
THE GOLD MINING LIFE CYCLE (CONTINUED)
STEP 4 (UNDERGROUND): STEP 5 (UNDERGROUND): STEP 6 (UNDERGROUND):
PLANNING DRILLING BLASTING AND HAULING
Mine planning and on-reef development involves Once the stope face has been established and After the stope has been blasted, the rock
establishing tunnels – haulages and cross-cuts – the gold-bearing reef exposed, drilling begins in broken in the blast (the gold-bearing ore)
to open up the earth and the stope face so that preparation for blasting of the reef. is collected – this is called vamping and
the gold-bearing reef can be accessed. sweeping – and transported to the shaft, via
conveyors and underground locos, to be hoisted
to surface.
Note: Environmental management and rehabilitation take place at each stage of the mining process.
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
PAGE 17SECTION G3
THE GOLD MINING LIFE CYCLE (CONTINUED)
STEP 7 (SURFACE): STEP 8 (SURFACE): STEP 9 (SURFACE):
TRANSPORTING CRUSHING PROCESSING
The ore is hoisted to surface in the materials- The large pieces of ore (broken rock) are fed These sand-like particles are combined with
handling shaft from where it is conveyed, either into a series of crushers and grinding mills to water to form a slurry to which additional
by overland conveyor, surface rail or truck to the break down the ore into much smaller sized rock chemicals – cyanide and carbon – are added to
crushing and milling circuits where the process so that the gold can be more easily extracted. facilitate dissolving the gold and help with its
to extract the pure gold from the rock begins. At this stage of the process, the ore is ground extraction. The gold particles, extracted in this
down to fine sand-like particles. process, attach themselves to the carbon. The
next step in the process involves stripping the
carbon from the gold. Most companies retreat
Note: Environmental management and rehabilitation take place at each stage of the mining process.
their slurry or ‘tailings’ for any remaining gold,
* DRDGold is a world leader in surface gold tailings retreatment. uranium and sulphides*.
Sibanye Gold Limited Sibanye Gold Limited DRDGOLD Limited
PAGE 18SECTION G3
THE GOLD MINING LIFE CYCLE (CONTINUED)
STEP 10 (SURFACE): STEP 11 (SURFACE): STEP 12 (SURFACE):
SMELTING REFINING CLOSURE AND REHABILITATION
The gold obtained once the carbon has been The doré bars are sent to precious metal Once the gold reserve at a mine has been
stripped away is then smelted, that is, heated at refineries for further processing and refining exhausted, the owner must close and
extreme temperatures so that it liquefies, and is to a purity of at least 99.5% to meet the good rehabilitate the site. Underground tunnels
poured to form doré bars. delivery quality standards set by the London are stabilised and entrances are sealed off.
Bullion Market Association. Rehabilitation means the process of returning
mined land to its pre-existing condition or to
another agreed use.
Note: Environmental management and rehabilitation take place at each stage of the mining process.
Rand Refinery Limited AngloGold Ashanti Limited
PAGE 19MINING
FOR SCHOOLS
SECTION G4
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
PAGE 20SECTION G4
PEOPLE OF GOLD
EMPLOYEE PROFILE The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) Along with transformation of the employee
and gold mining companies encourage women profile, the migrant labour system is also
Although employment in South to be active at all levels in the industry. changing. South Africa’s gold mining industry
Africa’s gold mining industry has The Mining Charter set a target of 10% for has always relied on migrant labour from other
continued to decline since the women in core mining jobs and by 2018 overall South African provinces and neighbouring
representation had reached 12%. AngloGold countries to supply labour in its often remote
1980s, the industry still employs
Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony and Sibanye have locations. This did and can result in the
some 101,000 people. all achieved this target. separation of families, often for extended
Gold mining activities remain a mainstay of periods of time, which in turn can lead to social
employment in many communities around the issues and the placing of huge responsibility on
country, and it is estimated that every employee the women left behind. The industry is seeking
in the gold sector supports between five and to provide a more stable environment for its
10 dependants. migrant workers.
The employee profile of the gold mining In the past, migrant workers were
industry is changing to reflect the people of accommodated in barrack-style hostels. The
South Africa. The 2004 Mining Charter provided large South African gold producers have made
a framework for the entry, at all levels, of significant progress in upgrading hostels and
historically disadvantaged South Africans into converting them to single accommodation units
the industry, including women. as well as providing family accommodation units
and promoting home ownership options.
The industry is also exploring alternatives to
current labour practices and shift cycles, which
Sibanye Gold Limited would enable employees to return home more
frequently and for longer periods.
PAGE 21SECTION G4
PEOPLE OF GOLD (CONTINUED)
KEY FIGURES IN
THE SOUTH AFRICAN
GOLD MINING INDUSTRY
CECIL JOHN RHODES,
THE PEOPLE OF MAPUNGUBWE ALFRED BEIT, BARNEY BARNATO
One thousand years ago, Mapungubwe in South Rhodes, Beit and Barnato were entrepreneurs
Africa’s Limpopo province was the centre of ready, willing and able to develop the fledgling
the largest kingdom in the subcontinent, where South African gold mining industry. The
a highly sophisticated people traded gold and discovery of diamonds at Kimberley in 1871 had
ivory with China, India and Egypt from around GEORGE HARRISON already attracted substantial capital from British
1200 to 1300. The Mapungubwe people were and European banks to finance the emerging
In 1886, Harrison discovered the main reef of
ancestors of the Shona people of Zimbabwe and diamond mining houses created by these
gold-bearing conglomerate on Langlaagte Farm
grew to a population of around 5,000. ‘Randlords’, who eventually united to form
near Johannesburg. It did not take long for
De Beers Consolidated Mines.
The Mapungubwe site was discovered in 1932 fortune-seekers from all over the world to flock
and a rich collection of artifacts made of gold to the area though it would become apparent Rhodes founded Gold Fields of South Africa
and other materials, as well as human remains, that considerable capital was required to in 1887. By 1933, seven mining houses had
were uncovered. The most spectacular of the develop deep underground mines. been established and provided the foundations
gold discoveries is a little gold rhinoceros, made of the South African gold industry which
of gold foil and tacked with minute pins around has been described as the ‘flywheel’ of the
a wooden core. country’s expansion.
PAGE 22SECTION G4
PEOPLE OF GOLD (CONTINUED)
NELSON MANDELA
Much has been written and said about Mandela’s
life, especially as an anti-apartheid freedom
fighter, prisoner, politician and statesman.
However, it is not common knowledge that, as
a young man of 22, he worked, albeit for a brief
period in 1941, on one of Johannesburg’s most
iconic mining operations, Crown Mines, on the
Central Rand.
JAMES MOTLATSI
Motlatsi entered the mining industry in 1970
and soon became a personnel officer at an
Anglo American gold mine in the Free State.
SIR ERNEST OPPENHEIMER He was the founding president of The National
Oppenheimer was the co-founder of the Anglo Union of Mineworkers (NUM) from 1982. After
American Corporation with JP Morgan in 1917. stepping down from the post, he served as
He had foreseen the potential in investing in a non-executive director, mostly as deputy
gold mining on South Africa’s East Rand and chairman, at AngloGold Ashanti from 1998 –
raised £1 million of capital from sources in 2011. His company acquired TEBA of which
the UK and the United States, hence the he is executive chairman. He is currently also
company name. chairman of Platfields Limited.
PAGE 23SECTION G4
PEOPLE OF GOLD (CONTINUED)
GWEDE MANTASHE PATRICE MOTSEPE
Long time trade unionist Mantashe served for Motsepe is a South African mining magnate. He
10 years as general secretary of the NUM from is the founder and executive chairman of African
1997 before becoming secretary general of the Rainbow Minerals (ARM), which has interests in
ANC in 2007 where he is serving a second five- gold, ferrous metals, base metals and platinum.
year term. He made history by becoming the He is also the non-executive chairman of
first trade unionist to be appointed to the board Harmony Gold.
of directors of a JSE listed company, Samancor,
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA In 1994, Motsepe became the first black lawyer
in 1995. He is now Minister of Mineral Resources.
to be made a partner at the law firm Bowman
Ramaphosa is President of South Africa and of
Gilfillan, where he specialised in mining and
its ruling party. He was the founding general
business law before shifting to the mining
secretary of the NUM in 1982. Originally a law
industry. He started a contract mining operation
student and, along with the NUM’s first union
called Future Mining which provided various
federation, linked to the black consciousness
services to Vaal Reefs gold mine. Unable
movement, he became part of the ANC’s
to secure a loan, he ran his business from a
congress movement when he was instrumental
briefcase for the first eight months. Motsepe
in the founding of COSATU in 1985. He led a
formed ARM in 1997 and the rest is history.
three-week gold mining wage strike of 250,000
workers in 1987. He was elected secretary
general of the ANC in 2002, and led the
constitutional negotiations for the ANC. He
entered the business world in 1997 after failing
to be elected to succeed Nelson Mandela as
ANC president, and returned to politics in 2012.
PAGE 24SECTION G4
JOBS IN GOLD MINING
The mining industry not only Employment fields within the industry are many
and include engineering; geology; finance,
contributes to vast economic
auditing and accountancy; company secretarial;
wealth, but also creates hundreds human resources; medical; environmental
of thousands of mining jobs and science; and safety, among others.
career paths. The gold mining There are several routes available to people
industry currently employs some wishing to take up a career in gold mining.
101,000 people. The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is a
Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)
responsible for the administration of skills-
development programmes for the mining and
minerals sector in South Africa. Mining-related
qualifications are offered at the universities
of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Pretoria
and the Free State. In addition, gold mining
companies also offer learnerships, bursaries
and scholarships.
Sibanye Gold Limited
PAGE 25SECTION G4
BRIEF HISTORY OF GOLD MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
INCLUDING MAJOR EVENTS
1873 First large-scale production began when 1898 Gold output soared to 118 tonnes making
1916 Compensation for pulmonary TB
alluvial deposits were discovered at South Africa the world’s leading producer was introduced
Pilgrim’s Rest 1899- Anglo-Boer/South African War, brought
1920 Rand Refinery started
1884 Gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand 1902 about to some extent by the struggle for
which led to an influx of miners from control of the goldfields, caused extreme 1921- The Rand Rebellion/ Revolt saw white
around the world disruptions in the mining industry, and at 1922 mine workers protest the industry’s
attempt to replace semi-skilled white
some stage, mines were closed
men with cheap black labour leaving
1886 - First large gold mining company
1901 The Witwatersrand Native Labour
about 200 people dead, more than 1,000
1900 established and the commencement of
Association (Wenela) set up by gold miners
the development and the population of injured, 15,000 men out of work and a
as a recruiting agent for migrant workers
Johannesburg increased ten-fold in just four slump in gold production. The government
years. A new class, the Randlords, emerged 1904 64,000 Chinese indentured labourers
came under pressure to protect skilled
brought to work on mines to overcome
white workers in mining and three Acts
1887 Africa’s largest stock market, the JSE, was the impasse in the gold industry after
were passed that gave employment
started specifically to fund the mining sector the War
opportunities to whites and introduced a
1889 Chamber of Mines founded 1904- Deep-level mining progressed to reach plan for African segregation
1908 gold lower down in the ground
1925
1890 South Africa began to slow down in Establishment of Mine Rescue Services
the 1880s, as the new deposits being 1910 Union of South Africa formed
1930s The great depression hit, but the gold
found tended to be pyritic ore and
gold could not be extracted from this
1910 Chinese indentured labourers repatriated industry avoided disaster. Employment
and replaced by migrant black labour, grew and the industry boomed
compound with any of the then available many recruited from neighbouring
technologies. John Stewart MacArthur 1946 Gold was discovered in the Orange Free
territories State using drilling at locations pin-
and the Dingus brothers overcame this
by suspending the crushed ore in a 1912 South Africa became the first state to pointed by new geological developments
introduce compensation for silicosis as an
cyanide solution. Separation of up to 96%
occupational disease
1948 Apartheid legislated
pure gold was achieved which led to an
1913 Mineworkers went on a strike to get 1960 Coalbrook mining disaster in which
investment boom as larger gold mines 435 people died
management to recognise union rights.
were opened up
The strike changed the nature of politics 1960 Racial turmoil led to the Sharpeville
massacre
1894 Three gold mines established the Rand in South Africa and the state deemed it
Mutual Assurance Company, a world necessary to ensure that mining production 1964 Establishment of Chamber of Mines’
pioneer in workmen’s compensation continued at all costs Research Organisation
PAGE 26SECTION G4
BRIEF HISTORY OF GOLD MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA (CONTINUED)
INCLUDING MAJOR EVENTS
1968 Free gold market came into being 1994 South Africa held first democratic 1998 The Minerals and Mining Green Paper
elections called for the mining industry to be
Boom period for South African gold
1970s deracialised
mining with production peaking at over 1994 A tailings dam at Harmony’s Merriespruit
1,000 tonnes mine overflowed killing 17 people and 2001 Solidarity established out of the old
Durban strikes saw the resurgence of the damaging houses whites-only mineworkers’ union
1973
trade union activity that would culminate 1994 The Leon Commission of Inquiry set up to 2001 The Association of Mineworkers and
in the formation of trade union federations examine occupational health and safety Construction Union (AMCU) officially
that eventually helped dismantle apartheid registered as a union
Discontent arising from new wage
1995 104 miners died at Anglo American’s
1973 Vaal Reefs mine when an underground 2002 The Mineral and Petroleum Resources
scales and changed differential rates locomotive carriage fell into a lift shaft, Development Act provides for equitable
of remuneration led to an outbreak of landing on the cage carrying the workers access to and sustainable development
violence at Anglo American’s Western back to surface of South Africa’s mineral and petroleum
Deep Levels and 11 miners were shot dead resources
by police, and 27 injured 1996 The Mine Health And Safety Act introduced
Federation of South African Trade Unions
to address the issue of worker safety 2003 Milestones agreed upon for safety and
1979 health performance, elimination of silicosis
(Fosatu) formed and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
The National Union Of Mineworkers (NUM)
1982 2003 First women employed in mining positions
formed – the first black union in mining in
40 years
2004 Mining Charter came into effect
NUM won collective bargaining rights from
1983 2005 Gold miners downed tools after wage
the Chamber of Mines
negotiations failed and over 100,000
Congress of South African Trade Unions
1985 miners went on strike
(COSATU) formed
1986 COSATU recognised as the most 2011 South Africa’s mining industry is largest
significant internal anti-apartheid force contributor to economic transformation
The Kinross disaster saw 178 miners killed through widespread black economic
1986 empowerment transactions
and 235 injured after an underground fire
1987 NUM organised a three-week strike 2016 Fatalities in the industry fall to lowest
demanding increased wages, improved level ever
hostels and the abolition of the migrant
labour system of 360,000 mine workers
2017
1990 Nelson Mandela freed from prison 2018 Deterioration in safety trend industry-wide
recommitment to safety
PAGE 27MINING
FOR SCHOOLS
SECTION G5
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
PAGE 28SECTION G5
WHY GOLD MINING MATTERS
The gold mining industry However, the gold mining industry still benefits the
economy and South Africa’s people in many ways:
has played a significant
role in the historical
development of South
Africa and continues
to play an important It exported gold worth
It produced some
132.2 tonnes of gold
Gold sales amounted
to some R69.9 billion
role today, not only R35 billion in 2018 in 2018 in 2018
on a macro-economic
level but on local and
It currently employs Employment is provided
community levels too. some 101,000 people, with The industry currently for workers from rural
each employee supporting pays its employees some communities which in turn
This is despite the country’s
between five and 10 R26.5 billion in salaries results in the transfer of
gold mining production having dependants and wages per annum funds back to these areas
declined in recent years.
PAGE 29SECTION G5
WHY GOLD MINING MATTERS (CONTINUED)
In the tax year 2017-2018,
about R22 billion was paid
in corporate taxes by the
mining industry as a whole Dividends are paid to
with some R590 million paid shareholders, between 25%
in royalties by gold and 45% of whom are in
and uranium producers South Africa The industry purchases
goods and services which
stimulates industrial
production and the
provision of services.
Gold is used in other For example, gold mines
South African industries The industry creates consume some 15% of
such as refined gold and employment in other electricity generated in
jewellery making industries South Africa
Gold export earnings
Gold mining has a role to have a positive impact on
play in the development of the balance of payments,
human resources (training) foreign reserves, monetary
and infrastructure such as policy and on the level of Gold mining attracts foreign
schools, colleges, clinics, business activity in the capital to the country, via
DRDGOLD Limited
roads and housing country the JSE or direct investment
PAGE 30SECTION G5
FACTORS THAT FAVOUR AND HINDER
GOLD MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
FACTORS FAVOURING GOLD
MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA • The industry has its own local
refinery, the globally-recognised
• South Africa’s gold region is well known
Rand Refinery. Rand Refinery
and well explored – knowledge of the area
is the largest integrated single-
is extensive
site precious metals refining
• Gold mining in South Africa is a well- and smelting complex in the
established industry with technical skills world. Since 1920, it has refined
nearly 50 000 tons of gold -
• South Africa has large gold reserves and
almost one third of all gold
resources but accessing these will involve
mined worldwide
going even deeper underground. Mining
companies invest heavily in innovation
and skills training to build an even greater
understanding of the resource base and how
to mine it
• South Africa has a well-developed
infrastructure (roads and railway lines) which Sibanye Gold Limited
assists mines to do business
PAGE 31SECTION G5
FACTORS THAT FAVOUR AND HINDER
GOLD MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA (CONTINUED)
FACTORS HINDERING GOLD • Lack of investment in mining and
MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA emerging markets
• Depth and temperature. South Africa’s gold • Skills shortages. The gold mining sector
sector is a world leader in deep-level gold experiences a skills shortage, particularly of
mining. Deep-level underground mining, mechanised mining skills. Skilled employees
however, brings with it risks and hazards are essential to the sustainability of the gold
which require constant commitment and mining industry. Training and development
adherence to safety and health standards in the industry focuses on developing
and procedures. High temperatures and high the scarce skills needed at mines and on
humidity levels in some underground mines improving the employability of local residents
create difficult working conditions and can
decrease productivity
• Costs in general are rising steadily, in
particular the cost of mining at depth;
salaries and wages; and electricity
• Electricity and water supply. The industry
has experienced costly electricity supply Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
constraints and water shortages
PAGE 32SECTION G5
SAFETY AND HEALTH
SAFETY Falls of ground and accidents relating to
transport and machinery are responsible
Deep-level underground mining for most mine injuries. Fatalities due to falls
requires unremitting commitment of ground (sudden and often unexpected
and adherence to safety and movements of the underground rock mass
health standards and procedures. accompanied by uncontrolled releases of debris
and rock) have reduced by 93% over the past
Much has been achieved in recent
20 years, due to improvements in rock
years, with employers, labour and engineering techniques and other factors.
government working together to
Reasons for falls of ground remain the subject
protect those at work underground. of further research as they are still a major cause AngloGold Ashanti Limited
The industry is committed to a vision of zero harm, of fatalities. Money is invested in technological
where every miner returns from work each day in developments, including initiatives such as
good health. Policies, programmes and campaigns seismic monitoring and improved roof support Smoke inhalation may occur when an
are in place at all mining companies to increase using bolting and netting. underground fire occurs. All employees have
safety awareness and provide safety training. at their disposal self-contained self-rescue
Transportation incidents tend to be associated
equipment – essentially a breathing apparatus
Sophisticated cooling methods and equipment with trackless mobile machines and rail-bound which provides at least 30 minutes of oxygen,
reduce ambient temperatures to reasonable equipment, as well as collisions with people in while the individual makes his/her way to a
working temperatures. To address the stresses confined areas or close to moving equipment. place of refuge. All underground working places
to which rock faces are inevitably subject Progress has been made in the area of vehicle are equipped with refuge bays, which are
at depth, a vast infrastructure of support avoidance systems. Initiatives are continuing to protected chambers located within 30 minutes
mechanisms is in place, backed by world- look at best practice across the industry in an of all working places, and which are equipped
leading seismic monitoring and research. attempt to reduce these accidents. with fresh air, water and communication devices.
PAGE 33SECTION G5
SAFETY AND HEALTH (CONTINUED)
HEALTH sneezing or talking. It is particularly serious in
South Africa, including in the mining industry.
Tuberculosis (TB), HIV and
People with silicosis are prone to contracting
silicosis are all important health TB. Gold mining companies in South Africa
issues in the gold mining industry. provide comprehensive detection and treatment
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease suffered by services for employees. Increasingly, in joint
underground gold miners due to exposure to efforts with government and unions, they
silica dust which is found in gold ore bodies. The have been working together to address TB in
industry, over the decades, has been seeking to mining towns.
improve the effectiveness of underground dust
Gold mining companies began providing
management as knowledge and technology
have improved. As a consequence, the incidence preventative services for HIV/Aids in the mid-
of silicosis has reduced significantly. It is hoped 1980s when the disease first came to public
that the time is not far off when new miners will attention. In South Africa, as TB is the main
no longer become diagnosed with the disease. opportunistic disease experienced by people
The industry is also working with government who are HIV-positive, the mines’ health facilities’
and organised labour to improve compensation TB work has been central to countering the
for workers with silicosis. effects of HIV. Mining companies were, from
TB is a major public health issue caused by 2002, the first in South Africa – some years
poor socio-economic conditions such as areas before government – to offer comprehensive,
Sibanye Gold Limited of poor ventilation and overcrowding which mass-based anti-retroviral therapy to HIV-
causes it to be passed on through coughing, positive employees.
PAGE 34SECTION G5
ENVIRONMENT
By its very nature, mining has AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
an impact on the environment Several activities associated with the gold
and so the industry faces many mining process can impact the air quality in and
around operations, potentially also affecting
environmental challenges.
communities and habitats. These include mining
A partnership between government, labour and ore processing activities, power generation
representatives and mining companies with the as well as transportation. There are two types
support of the Minerals Council South Africa, is of air quality impacts: airborne particulates or
committed to constantly seeking new ways to gases from sources such as smelthouse and
avoid, minimise or mitigate the negative impacts power generation stacks; or from sources
of mining on the environment, and address such as unsealed access roads and tailings
legacy issues, such as acid mine drainage.
storage facilities.
WATER USE Air quality control measures range from bag
South Africa is a water scarce country and a filters to gas scrubbers for fixed point stacks,
large volume of water is used for the mining to water irrigation or biodegradable chemical
and processing of gold. Therefore, for many sealants for dirt roads and tailings facility
years the gold mining industry has been using surfaces, to the vegetation of mine dumps.
this scarce resource responsibly, lessening
consumption by reusing and recycling water WASTE MANAGEMENT
and aiming for zero discharge with the help of Effective waste management is a priority. DRDGOLD Limited
water treatment plants. The gold mining industry endeavours to
PAGE 35SECTION G5
ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)
reduce, reuse and recycle in an effort to move To mitigate this risk, biodiversity management
MINE REHABILITATION
towards zero waste and curtail our total mining plans are implemented at mining sites, through
South African gold mining companies
environmental footprint. Guidelines on mineral, mine closure plans, environmental management
acknowledge that some aspects of their
non-mineral and hazardous waste materials are plans or through specific biodiversity action
operations alter the physical landscape
included in environmental management systems plans. Plans can include anything from
permanently. Once mining has come to an
implemented at operations. establishing nurseries to cultivate species to
end, land must be rehabilitated to assist its
revegetate affected or remediated land, to
ENERGY CONSUMPTION appropriate and productive use post-mining.
Rehabilitation and closure are incorporated into working in partnership with conservation and
AND CLIMATE CHANGE wildlife organisations to set aside and protect
overall planning from initial concept stage and
The gold mining industry has for many years areas of land which are rich in biodiversity or are
during the life of mine. This includes ensuring
been committed to becoming more energy home to species of flora or fauna of importance.
that the necessary funding mechanisms
efficient. The industry mostly consumes indirect
for rehabilitation are in place. It is often the
energy in the form of electricity purchased
case that only a small proportion of the land
from the national power utility, Eskom, which
covered by a company’s mining rights has been
is generated by coal-fired power stations. disturbed by mining.
The industry invests time and expertise in
formulating energy saving projects, not just LAND MANAGEMENT
for cost reasons but also because of its desire AND BIODIVERSITY
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which When vegetation is removed during the
contribute to climate change. Diversifying establishment of mining operations, it
the energy mix is also part of the industry’s can destroy natural habitats and damage
energy efficiency and climate change policy ecosystems, which can lead to the extinction of
and strategy. plants and animals in the area.
PAGE 36SECTION G5
ENVIRONMENT AND LEGACY ISSUES
Gold mining has released • Mine waste, known as tailings, can produce
AMD when it comes into contact with
contaminants into the environment
water. Rain and surface water runoff from
of the West and Central Rand for
tailings dumps and ore stockpiles can also
more than a century, creating a generate AMD.
challenging legacy issue for South
Community members may indirectly ingest
Africa, the government and the
AMD, by eating vegetables irrigated with the
industry today. polluted water, meat from cattle that have
drunk from local waterways, and fish from
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
contaminated bodies of water. Heavy metals
Acid mine drainage (AMD) forms when water
and radiation can contribute to immediate
and oxygen combine with sulfide minerals to
and long-term medical problems ranging
produce highly acidic water. This water contains
from asthma and skin rashes to damage to
elevated concentrations of heavy metals, which
the kidneys and the nervous system and an
are in some cases radioactive. AMD comes from
increased risk of cancer.
two main sources:
• Abandoned mine voids fill with groundwater AMD from flooded mines as well as runoff and
or rainwater that reacts with unmined, seepage from waste dumps has contaminated
underground ore to form AMD and may lakes and rivers in parts of the Witwatersrand.
eventually decant at the surface. (When The polluted water decanted – reached the
mines are active, water is continually pumped surface – for several years in the West Rand,
out which helps prevent the accumulation beginning in 2002, and it has threatened to do DRDGOLD Limited
and decanting of contaminated water.) the same in the Central Rand.
PAGE 37SECTION G5
ENVIRONMENT AND LEGACY ISSUES (CONTINUED)
Much research has been undertaken in recent Dust from mine dumps can become a nuisance
DRDGOLD Limited
years to understand how this enormous water to communities, particularly during dry, windy
resource can be turned to account in a country weather. Some communities have complained
where water is such a scarce resource. Two of asthma and other breathing difficulties. This
new government-led treatment plants have remains a challenge, particularly as communities
largely stemmed the flow of decant, although have typically been developed around ‘dams’,
technical limitations have prevented the existing without observing regulations that prohibit
facilities from treating the water sufficiently for construction within 500m of ‘dams’.
discharge into the natural environment. In 2016,
the government initiated a project to improve Dust control measures are used, such as
the treatment process, and this is expected to irrigation and vegetation of the dams and dust
be operational by 2020. fall-out is measured and monitored. Particularly
problematic are the ‘dams’ that were deposited
There is no doubt that more needs to be done
many decades ago, before modern deposition
and industry and community involvement are
and rehabilitation methods were put in place,
essential to address the situation.
and whose owners have long since disappeared.
DUST Fortunately, a number of mining companies are
The gold mining industry has resulted in more re-processing dumps, with many iconic dumps
than 200 waste dumps – or tailings dams – in having disappeared from the Johannesburg
the Johannesburg area, being deposited over skyline in recent years. Once the heavy metals
more than 100 years of mining. In some cases, have been extracted from these dams, the
these ‘dams’ contain elevated concentrations remaining material is redeposited in modern,
of heavy metals. mega dumps.
PAGE 38SECTION G5
GOLD MINING TECHNOLOGY
The application of mining New water-based emulsions can be loaded than R150 million on research, resulting in a
quickly and safely into blast holes, to be greater understanding of seismicity, which has
technology in South African
detonated electronically from surface. led to better ways of mitigating and avoiding
gold mining has two main aims:
incidents. Many mines now have comprehensive
Trains that haul broken rock are operated by an
to assist the industry and its monitoring networks in place.
electronic control system which incorporates
employees to work safely and to remote sensing.
ICE PLANTS UNDERGROUND
work efficiently.
SEISMIC MONITORING Virgin rock temperatures can reach up to
A great deal of attention is currently being AND RESEARCH 60oC at the depths mined in the South
focused by gold mining companies on the
Seismicity occurs in the natural environment African gold mining industry. Sophisticated
development of processes and technologies
as the earth’s continental plates continually cooling methods and equipment, involving
that will remove – as far as possible – individuals
move but is intensified by deep-level mining. some of the largest refrigeration plants in
from the rockface, in order to minimise the
A seismic event in the mining context is known the world, use ice and chilled water to
threat of injury. This technology includes
as a rockburst. As the depth of mining increases, reduce ambient temperatures to reasonable
remotely-controlled machines to mine narrow
the stresses from the overhead rock mass working temperatures.
veins. Such equipment is currently being tested.
intensify. Mining also causes stresses in these
DRILLING, BLASTING rock masses leading to a build-up of energy and SHAFT TECHNOLOGY
then drastic release.
AND HAULING Eight of the 10 deepest mines in the world are
Hydro-powered rock drills are faster and quieter All seismic activity in South Africa is monitored gold mines in South Africa. AngloGold Ashanti’s
than conventional drills powered by compressed and recorded by the Council for Geoscience, Mponeng gold mine, located south-west of
air. Drillers spend less time at the rock face. In which is part of a global seismic monitoring Johannesburg, is currently the deepest mine in
development ends, wholly-mechanised drills can network. In the past 20 years, the South the world. It extends over four kilometres below
do the hard work. African gold mining industry has spent more the surface.
PAGE 39SECTION G5
GOLD MINING TECHNOLOGY (CONTINUED)
Sinking shafts – or excavating a vertical
or near-vertical tunnel from the top down –
to such depths to access orebodies requires SELF-CONTAINED
extraordinary expertise and knowledge. SELF-RESCUERS
Shaft sinking is one of the most difficult of all Smoke inhalation may occur when
development methods: restricted space, gravity, there is an underground fire and the
groundwater and specialised procedures make ventilation infrastructure is unable to
the task quite formidable. clear the working areas. All employees
have at their disposal self-contained
Where the shaft is to be used for hoisting it is
self-rescue equipment – essentially
frequently split into multiple compartments.
a breathing apparatus that can be
The largest compartment is typically used for
donned and which provides at least
the mine cage, a conveyance used for moving 30 minutes of oxygen, while the
workers and supplies below the surface, which is individual makes his/her way to a
suspended from the hoist on steel wire rope. place of refuge. All underground
working places are also equipped
Steel wire rope is a type of cable that gets its
with refuge bays, which are protected
strength and durability from its helix design,
chambers located within 30 minutes
which is achieved by twisting several strands
of all working places, and which are
of metal wire together. While a metal strand equipped with fresh air, water and
may deteriorate, the load will still be supported communication devices.
by the other strands in the cable. Wire ropes
therefore provide greater peace of mind and Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
additional safety when handling a heavy load.
PAGE 40SECTION G5
MODERNISATION
Most of South Africa’s deep-
level underground gold mines
are aging with travel times to the
workface sometimes reaching an
hour or more. With this increasing
depth and distance from the
shaft, time spent at the workface
has reduced, resulting in shrinking
production and mounting costs.
Modernisation
could save around
Without a move to modernisation, the industry
will fail to mine the country’s deep-level complex 200,000 jobs in
orebodies safely and profitably. This could, in turn,
the gold sector by
result in premature mine closures and job losses.
2030, affecting
Modernisation in the South African gold mining
industry will also help to improve safety and 2,000,000
health, and achieve zero harm. It will also
dependants.
contribute to increased skills development.
In prolonging the lives of mines, it will also
contribute to employment, and exports
AngloGold Ashanti Limited
and revenue, and aid the socio-economic
development of local communities.
PAGE 41SECTION G5
MODERNISATION (CONTINUED)
Advanced orebody knowledge. The aim
•
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
of this research area is to find ways of
“seeing through the rock”, creating an
THE WAY
In part, modernisation will be driven by
technological innovation, which in turn will
accurate three-dimensional real-time model
that can be used for real-time planning and
FORWARD
be driven by research and development design work. Detailed plans have been developed
(R&D). To be successful, all elements of for modernising mining through a
Real time information systems. This includes
•
mining need to be modernised. partnership between the public and
digitisation, where technologies and systems
private sector. The Minerals Council
are developed to improve underground
South Africa will participate actively in
communication and data management.
MODERNISATION INCLUDES the implementation of these plans.
RESEARCH INTO: Mechanised and 24/7 mechanised mining
• Mining companies have spent over
• The human factor. This encompasses areas systems. The Minerals Council South Africa R500 million annually over the past
such as accelerated skills development has identified the products, technologies, couple of years on innovation. The
of local community employees and other people and infrastructure required to government has also allocated increased
community-related issues. mechanise the stoping and development cycle funds in the national budget for R&D
with remotely operated equipment by 2020. in the mining industry. To facilitate the
Modernisation of mining operations
•
Similar requirements have been developed process of mining modernisation, the
that cannot be mechanised. Systems to
for a 24/7 mechanised mining system that Mandela Mining Precinct – a private-
modernise current conventional mining
operates without explosives by 2025. public partnership – has been set up
operations, to make them safer, healthier,
to coordinate R&D, mining equipment
more productive and sustainable have
been identified. manufacture and skills development.
PAGE 42SECTION G5
QUOTES ABOUT GOLD
Anyone can find the dirt in True gold fears no fire. Let the efforts of us all, prove
someone. Be the one that finds Chinese proverb that he [Martin Luther King]
the gold. Everything has its limit – iron was not a mere dreamer
Proverbs 11:27
ore cannot be educated into when he spoke of the beauty
Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its gold. of genuine brotherhood and
value only to its scarcity. Mark Twain
peace being more precious than
Samuel Johnson
diamonds or silver or gold.
The desire of gold is not for gold. It is Nelson Mandela
All that glisters is not gold. for the means of freedom and benefit.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
William Shakespeare
Make new friends, but keep the old;
It is health that is real wealth
Those are silver, these are gold.
and not pieces of gold and
Joseph Parry
silver.
Mahatma Gandhi
When taken for granted, gold
in one’s hand is sometimes All that is gold does not glitter; not all
considered like cheap copper – those who wander are lost; the old that
is strong does not wither; deep roots
so are people.
are not reached by the frost.
Ethiopian proverb
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
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