![]() Above-ground operations at Mponeng mine. | |
Location | |
---|---|
Province | Gauteng |
Country | South Africa |
Coordinates | 26°26′10″S 27°25′50″E / 26.43611°S 27.43056°E |
Owner | |
Company | Harmony Gold |
Website | https://www.harmony.co.za |
Mponeng is an ultra-deep tabular gold mine in South Africa in the Witwatersrand Basin of the Gauteng Province.[1] Previously know as Western Deep Levels No1 Shaft, the mine began operations in 1986.[2] It is one of the most substantial gold mines in the world in terms of production and magnitude, reaching over 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) below the surface.[3][4] At this depth Mponeng takes the title of world's deepest mine from ground level, with aims to deepen the mine beyond 4km in order to reach more reserves.[5][6] A trip from the surface to its deepest point takes over an hour, but the harsh conditions of the mine did not stop an Ecuadorian marathon runner from completing a half marathon within the mine.[3][7] South Africa’s mineral resources are the lifeblood of the economy with mining a foundational industry that supports a very large number of people, companies and industries, including entire towns and cities. The depth of some of those resources, including Mponeng, have made South Africa a pioneering leader in deep gold-mining technologies.[8]
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