The Big Hole

　　The Big Hole in South Africa, also known as the Kimberley Mine, is located in Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape Province. Covering an area of 170,000 square meters and reaching a depth of 240 meters, it produced 3 tons of diamonds and was once one of the world’s largest diamond production centers. However, it was closed in 1914. Today, visitors can only imagine its former glory by looking at this 240-meter-deep hole.

　　You may not have heard of the Big Hole, but you’ve likely come across De Beers Consolidated Diamond’s iconic slogan: “A Diamond is Forever.” De Beers is the world’s largest diamond trading company, and its origins trace back to the Big Hole. Over 22 million tons of ore extracted from the site yielded 2,722 kilograms of diamonds. It is said that one of the three finest diamonds in the world, the Kimberley Diamond, came from here. Now, this so-called “largest man-made scar on Earth” has been half-filled with groundwater and rainwater. Standing beside the hole, one can’t help but marvel at the immense allure of diamonds, which drove humans to dig such a massive cavity into the Earth’s surface. It is reported that relevant South African authorities are working to have the Big Hole recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

　　Big Hole Reason to visit: Once the world’s largest diamond production center Continent: Africa Country/Region: South Africa Province/State: Northern Cape Province City: Kimberley