South Africa's Natural Resources

South Africa's Natural Resources

What is a natural resource?

One source says it is, “material in its native state that, when extracted, has economic value.” [1]

South Africa has many natural resources when considering the definition given above. The natural resources South Africa produces are influential in everyday life.

South Africa holds a lot of metal, livestock, minerals, farming, and much more that produce the natural resources. Two of the most commonly found national natural resources are diamonds and gold. [2] They were discovered all throughout history and are what contributed to many people settling down and creating towns. The mining business and trade brought people into different areas so they could "get rich quick. Overall, Africa leads in the world’s diamond market industry. [3] Because of the numerous amounts of diamonds and the profit they produce for the countries in Africa, there have been many civil wars. [4] They have named the diamonds that cause the strife “blood diamonds”. [5] The countries that do not fall under the KPCS (Kimberley Process Certification Scheme) are not allowed to trade among other countries. [6] This certification was created by the United Nations in 2008. [7] This act was seemingly created to help prevent civil wars from occurring.

Kimberley 'Big Hole' Mine

One of the largest gold mines in the world is located right outside of Johannesburg. [8] It is called The Driefontein Gold Mine and can be a very dangerous place to work. [9] This is so because the mining shafts are very large and deep, creating a very difficult and dangerous working area for miners. [10]

Oil and natural gas are both found all throughout Africa and used among trading with other countries. [11] The oil and natural gas are what promote the majority of trade among all of Africa. [12] These resources are what subsidize to buildings and the city-like living of Africa. [13]

The natural resources have been used to create many things throughout the years. Their overall use has increased among the African citizens as well as around the world over time, especially among oil. The value has shown an increase over time, for there seems to be a higher demand for the resources because of what they are used to create other useful materials. All of the products increase in value over time as they are being made into better qualities after more research or practice is used into making better objects. Some of the resources are used to create: fuel, food, grazing for cattle, bait for fishing, ornamental plants, handcrafting objects for decoration, timber, medicine, weaving materials, ritual usage, and much more. [14]

Bibliography 

[1] "BioBriefs: What's the Definition of Natural Resource?" Bioscience 45, no. 3 (03, 1995): 231, http://search.proquest.com/docview/216453912?accountid=12085.

[2] “Africa: Resources.” National Geographic. Accessed June 5, 2015. http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/africa-resources/?ar_a=1.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] van Wilgen, Nicola,J., Mbulelo Dopolo, Alexis Symonds, Wessel Vermeulen, Elzette Bester, Kyle Smith, and Melodie A. McGeoch. "An Inventory of Natural Resources Harvested from National Parks in South Africa." Koedoe 55, no. 1 (2013): 1-5, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1370173439?accountid=12085.

Image #1: “South Africa Top 5 Export Products.” Accessed June 5, 2015. https://afrolibertarian.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/screen-shot-2014-09-01-at-8-48-57-pm.png.

Image #2: "Kimberley 'Big Hole' Mine". Accessed June 5, 2015. http://www.allaboutgemstones.com/images/diamond_mining_so_africa_kimberley.jpg