Kaias & Cocopans: The Story of Mining in South Africa's Northern Cape by Anthony Hocking

KAIAS & COCOPANS: THE STORY OF MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA'S NORTHERN CAPE BY ANTHONY HOCKING. HARDCOVER, FULLY INTACT DUST JACKET WITH MINOR WEAR AND TEAR, NO INSCRIPTIONS OR NAMES AND SIGNED WITH COMPLIMENTS FROM SAMANCOR, 185 PAGES, IN GOOD CONDITION.

"KAIAS AND COCOPANS is the story of mining in the Northern Cape, a vast region of South Africas Kalahari thirstland. Diamonds, blue asbestos, manganese, iron ore, limestone, copperall these are found in abundance in the Northern Cape, and the mines and quarries that bring them to light include some of the most modern in Africa. With so much sophistication, it is easy to forget that the areas mining industry has roots that stretch back many thousands of years. The Northern Capes first miners were tribesmen who used primitive tools to mine specularite, a sparkling cosmetic that was used to adorn the hair and which was traded throughout Southern Africa. The sparkle was infectious, for the first white men to probe the area for were diggers looking for minerals diamonds. The diggers kaias or one-roomed huts and the tiptruck `cocopans that they used to transport ore were adopted by later diggers and miners who were more interested in blue asbestos and manganese. In gathering material for KAIAS & COCOPANS, Anthony Hocking made a special effort to research the widely varied mining methods that have been used in Northern Cape mines. He visited nearly all the sites he refers to, not only the mines and quarries still in operation but also workings that were abandoned long ago, and he interviewed many scores of Northern Cape mining men, both past and present. The result is a fascinating record of an industry that makes a major contribution to South Africas prosperity and through its exports wields influence in many parts of the world." - Blurb