Mining has played, and still plays, a very important role in the development and prosperity of Namakwa, the Northern Cape and indeed South Africa. Copper was discovered in Namakwa by early explorations lead by Simon van der Stel back in 1685.
The first commercial copper mine (the first commercial mine of any kind in the country) was brought into operation in 1852 by the mining concern of Philips and King and was purchased for £750 from the Cloete family on the farm of Melkboschkuil. Most of the old copper mining operations are to be found around Springbok.
Diamonds were discovered on the west coast in the early 1900s although mining only started in earnest in the 1930s but the area is still being extensively mined today using state-of-the-art equipment. The Diamond Coast, as it is affectionately known, starts from the south of Hondeklip Bay to the north of Alexander Bay and much of the coast is restricted, so prior arrangements for permits must be made.
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