Subtopic 2: Unit 3 - 5 - Gold is mine, Conditions underground and The Randlords

Revision Quiz

1. Why was a large amount of money needed to start a gold mine on the Witwatersrand?

To pay for food and accommodation To buy land from African kingdoms To purchase expensive machinery and equipment To bribe government officials

2. What is “ore” in gold mining?

Gold in pure form The rock from which gold is extracted Soil found in rivers Tools used by miners

3. Why is the ore in the Witwatersrand called "low grade"?

It is not real gold It is too hard to break It contains only a small amount of gold It is found near the surface

4. What was needed to remove water from deep gold mines?

Buckets and ropes Special pumps Windmills Sponges

5. Why were miners from Cornwall (Britain) attracted to work in South Africa?

Gold was easier to find in South Africa Tin mines in Cornwall were closing down They wanted to explore Africa They could work without tools

6. Why was cheap labour important in the Witwatersrand gold mines?

The gold was easy to find The gold price was high The ore was low grade and gold was hard to extract Labour laws required it

7. What equipment was used to help miners breathe underground?

Dynamite Shovels Ventilation equipment Helmets

8. How deep do South African gold mines go?

1 km 2 km 3 km or more 500 meters

9. What temperature can it reach underground in a gold mine?

30°C 40°C 50°C 60°C

10. What is a major health danger faced by miners?

Malaria Lung diseases from dust and gas Snake bites Radiation

11. What song did miners sing to cope with the hard conditions underground?

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika Shosholoza Jerusalema Thula Thula

12. Who were the Randlords?

Local chiefs Leaders of the miners Rich mine owners like Rhodes and Barnato British government officials

13. Why did Randlords form mining companies?

To start farms Because running a mine alone was too expensive To mine diamonds To avoid paying tax

14. What was the Chamber of Mines?

A union for African miners A building in Johannesburg A mine owners’ association formed in 1899 A British government office

15. What was one goal of the Chamber of Mines?

To improve worker housing To pay high wages To keep wages low and influence laws To hire foreign workers only