Jagersfontein Mine
Biggest hand-excavated hole in the world, South Africa / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Jagersfontein Mine /ˌjeɪɡərzˈfɒnteɪn/ was an open-pit mine in South Africa, located close to the town of Jagersfontein and about 110 kilometres (68 miles) south-west of Bloemfontein.[1][2] Since it was first established,[3][4] two of the ten biggest diamonds ever discovered, the Excelsior and the Reitz (now called the Jubilee), were mined from Jagersfontein.[2] The term "Jagers" has since been coined to denote the distinctive faint bluish tint of the gems from this mine.[5] Among geologists, Jagersfontein is known as a kimberlite pipe,[6] and a prime locality for mantle xenoliths, some of which are believed to have come from depths of 300–500 km (190–310 mi).[1]
Location | |
---|---|
{{{subdivision_type}}} | Free State |
Country | South Africa |
Coordinates | 29°45′55″S 25°25′8″E |
Production | |
Products | Diamonds |
Greatest depth | 200 metres (660 ft) |
History | |
Opened | 1870 (1870) |
Closed | 2002 (2002) |
It is the biggest hand-excavated hole in the world at 19.65 hectares (48.6 acres), slightly larger than the Big Hole of 17 ha (42 acres) in Kimberley, which had previously claimed the title.[7]