Economic Features
Social features of South Africa
- In 1910, South Africa produced/3 of the world’s gold output. The export of gold from South Africa benefited the communications, connections and the economy within the country.
The benefits of the gold mines in South Africa allowed the country to increase trade with European countries and the Unites States.
- The gold mines accounted for a large percentage of South Africa’s income. In 1911, agriculture accounted for 22% of income. Although due to the expansion of mines, many shifted from agriculture to mining, originally because the pay was better. In late 1911, 27% of South Africa’s income was earned by the gold mining industry.
- In 1890 through to 1899, there was a large increase in the number of miners due to a growth in the industry and demand for workers. Numbers rose from 14 000 labourers to 100 000 in the space of 9 years.
- The discovery of minerals affected the expansion of the white population. Through the mining, it increased trade, as it was an important factor in many other countries currency. Although many foreign countries did not have knowledge of the miners. During the time, many of the miners were unskilled labourers and were earning 12 times less than the average white miners.
- To produce gold, large investments were needed to dig further underground to produce more gold. The trade affected South Africa positively as it allowed South Africa to expand on their technology.
Impact on Society
The gold mining impacted society both positively and negatively.
Positives to mining:
- Increased trade with foreign countries
-Gave a large percentage of the population work to support them selves
-Improved technology and transport
-South Africa became the richest gold mining country
Negative impacts to society:
-During the Boer war (1899- 1902), many of the mines were shut down. This affected the productivity, the cost of mines and the economy externally and internally.
-To increase the expansion of mines, deforestation was common. This affected the environment and society as tribes were forced to move to allow mines.
-Mining also affected the society though pollution.
- In 1910, South Africa produced/3 of the world’s gold output. The export of gold from South Africa benefited the communications, connections and the economy within the country.
The benefits of the gold mines in South Africa allowed the country to increase trade with European countries and the Unites States.
- The gold mines accounted for a large percentage of South Africa’s income. In 1911, agriculture accounted for 22% of income. Although due to the expansion of mines, many shifted from agriculture to mining, originally because the pay was better. In late 1911, 27% of South Africa’s income was earned by the gold mining industry.
- In 1890 through to 1899, there was a large increase in the number of miners due to a growth in the industry and demand for workers. Numbers rose from 14 000 labourers to 100 000 in the space of 9 years.
- The discovery of minerals affected the expansion of the white population. Through the mining, it increased trade, as it was an important factor in many other countries currency. Although many foreign countries did not have knowledge of the miners. During the time, many of the miners were unskilled labourers and were earning 12 times less than the average white miners.
- To produce gold, large investments were needed to dig further underground to produce more gold. The trade affected South Africa positively as it allowed South Africa to expand on their technology.
Impact on Society
The gold mining impacted society both positively and negatively.
Positives to mining:
- Increased trade with foreign countries
-Gave a large percentage of the population work to support them selves
-Improved technology and transport
-South Africa became the richest gold mining country
Negative impacts to society:
-During the Boer war (1899- 1902), many of the mines were shut down. This affected the productivity, the cost of mines and the economy externally and internally.
-To increase the expansion of mines, deforestation was common. This affected the environment and society as tribes were forced to move to allow mines.
-Mining also affected the society though pollution.