Diamond Mines in South Africa

Introduction

This essay will entail the hardships of diamond mining practices in South Africa and its irreversible effects on the environment . The following question will be answered throughout the essay. Why is diamond mining harmful for the environment and diamond miners? Hypothesis: The concept that diamond mining is catastrophic in many areas of the world but South Africa specifically for this paper. Not only is the environment at risk but mine workers.

The world’s biggest diamond mines originate in the continent of Africa.

For example, South Africa, which is the number one leading country for diamond mining practices worldwide. In South Africa diamond mining plays a detrimental role on the environment and diamond miners. How is this possible? Reckless diamond mining practices is the short term answer. Furthermore, Irresponsible mining has created soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution . It has even ruined entire ecosystems and wildlife in small villages in South Africa. Land once suitable for farming is no longer able to sustain or grow any crops. Mining pits have created a major health crisis. When left behind after diamond mining, pits fill with contaminated rainwater and diseases such as malaria begin to spread . Not only is this affecting the environment negatively but workers are being affected as well. Sadly, diamond mining practices tend to consistently exploit and abuse their workers with low pay and dangerous working conditions. Diamond diggers earn one dollar or nothing each day for their hard labor. Child labor is also very common in the diamond mining industry. Children are being overworked and are not properly trained to be working under such hazardous conditions. In addition, not only are workers being exploited, but entire communities are being destroyed because of diamond mining. This is a serious ongoing problem in South Africa. Causing civil wars in between communities and creating social economical inequalities between citizens that live in the same community. Conflicts between the super rich and the starving are arising because of this phenomenon. While the diamond industry gets richer, workers and communities get poorer. Diamond diggers wage do not reflect their hard work. As a result, diamond diggers can not provide for themselves or their families with the basic necessities to live a comfortable life. Such as , clean, running water, food and sanitation. Corrupt leaders get rich by basically stealing from their workers. And the South African government is doing nothing to help their people. Even so that African diamond mining communities are often depicted has one of the most deprived and impoverished in the world.

How is this possible? Diamond mining practices are often an unregulated business. What does this mean? It means the regular minimum wage laws do not apply or are basically nonexistent to the workers. As a result, cruel and brutal working conditions exist and give diamond diggers little to no choice but to endure these awful working conditions. This definitely contributes to the injustices the workers face on the daily. Diamond diggers work under high risk and unpredictable environments. Workers lack proper training and do not have the right tools to safely work. Due to these horrible conditions, many workers hurt themselves really badly or die on the job.

Data and Method

What is the source of the data? Most of my data was collected from scientific journals. Documentaries films. And Informative and educational YouTube videos. Below are attachments of the YouTube videos.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdRycPrraGI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzy782ikkPA

Functionalist Theory

Functionalism, construct and interpret how each part of society connects and relates to one another as one unit. Each part of society is functional for the stability of the whole. Diamond mining is a cycle that works because all its parts function with each other. For example,
family provides a context for reproducing as well as nurturing.In this example, especially, mine workers have to work to support their families. Politics govern to society. And economics provides for the production, and consumption of goods and services.

Findings and Conclusion

My research uncovered the ugly truth about the diamond mining industry in South Africa. Moreover, my findings conform to my hypothesis. My findings gave light to this very important topic still happening today and informed the audience with all the what, why, who, when and how questions.
In Retrospect, diamond mining practices are terrible. It’s powerfully and rapidly harming the environment and mine workers. Also, its contributing to public health problems and poverty in South Africa. Environmental devastation is the result of diamond mining in South Africa. We need to bring awareness to this important issue and educate the public.

Bibliography

1. Carlson, S. (2009, February 17). Life After Diamonds. Retrieved from https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/festival/play/4881/Life-After-Diamonds
2. E. E. (2018, August 22). Effects Of Mining on the Environment and Human Health. Retrieved April 14, 2019, from https://www.environment.co.za/mining/effects-of-mining.html
3. J. E. (2016, July 8). Environment. Retrieved November 10, 2017, from https://www.brilliantearth.com/blood-diamond-environmental-impact/
   Minerals and Mining Policy of South Africa: Green Paper. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gov.za/documents/minerals-and-mining-policy-south-africa-green-paper
4. Nkosi, V. (2018, September 05). How mine dumps in South Africa affect the health of communities living nearby. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/how-mine-dumps-in-south-africa-affect-the-health-of-communities-living-nearby-77113

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