Mine workers on the Rand – the early years

Gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand in 1884, and there was subsequently an influx of miners from across South Africa and across the world, all hoping to capitalise on the discovery. The mines were short of skilled labour for deep level mining and there was a hierarchical division of labour.

In the New Primrose Mine (1895-1896) Melton Prior

In the New Primrose Mine (1895-1896) Melton Prior

Group of construction workers, Village Deep Mine (1880s) J W Read

Group of construction workers, Village Deep Mine (1880s) J W Read