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Mining - workers at the face, South Africa, circa 1888
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Mining - workers at the face, South Africa, circa 1888
Mining - workers at the face, South Africa, circa 1888 (Robert Harris studio). Date: circa 1888
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Media ID 14358363
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Pump Park Photography
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the raw reality of gold mining in South Africa during the late 19th century. Taken circa 1888 by Robert Harris Studio, the image offers a glimpse into the harsh living and working conditions endured by the miners at the face of the mine. The photograph shows a group of miners, their faces etched with the physical toll of their labor. Dressed in tattered clothing and armed with pickaxes and shovels, they toil away at the rocky, unforgiving terrain. The mine face looms large in the background, its dark, ominous presence a constant reminder of the danger and uncertainty that comes with the pursuit of gold. The scene is one of intense focus and determination, as the miners work together to extract the precious metal from the earth. Yet, despite their collective effort, the harsh environment and the ever-present threat of accidents and collapses loom large. The photograph is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the gold rush in South Africa. Thousands of laborers, many of them from other parts of Africa and Asia, were drawn to the region by the promise of wealth and opportunity. However, they often found themselves subjected to brutal working conditions, low wages, and discrimination. Despite the challenges, the miners continued to work, driven by the hope of a better future. This powerful image serves as a testament to their resilience and determination, as well as a reminder of the complex and often troubled history of mining in South Africa.
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