Gold mining in South Africa

Gold mining in South Africa involves extracting gold from underground or open-pit mines, primarily in regions like the Witwatersrand Basin. Companies use advanced machinery to dig deep into the earth, where vast quantities of rock are processed to separate gold ore. The ore is then refined to produce pure gold. Historically, South Africa was one of the world's largest gold producers, but production has declined due to resource depletion and economic factors. The industry plays a significant role in the country's economy, but it also raises environmental and social challenges, including land degradation, water use, and worker safety.