PRINCIPAL SOUTH AFRICAN MINES 295
ified by the general interests, and the results of the De Beers and Kimberley were published together.
The
Kimberley, like the De Beers, is distinguished by a yield of large
yellowish crystals with curved edges, and it produces more bort than
any other of the old mines. At the time of the Consolidation, in 1889,
the Kimberley and De Beers mines together, were said to average 1.283
carats per load, and the diamonds had brought an average of 19S. 8.75d.
per carat. The average price for the year of 1889 is given as 29s. per
carat. From that time the yield declined and the price increased. In
1898 the average per load was 0.80 of a carat; in 1889 0.71 of a carat.
Excepting 1901 and 1902, when it was 0.76, the yield declined steadily
until it was but 0.37 of a carat for 1907 and 1908. The cost of mining
in 1898 was 6s. 7.46.. per load, and it was steadily increased
to 9s. o.8d. in 1907. As the yield of diamonds per load has at the
same time as steadily decreased, there is a material increase in the
cost per carat, which is now in the neighborhood of 27 shillings. The
increased price obtained for the diamonds has more than compensated the
extra cost of producing. The joint policy of the De Beers Consolidated
Mines Company and their cog wheel, the Diamond Syndicate, since they
obtained control of the market, of regulating output to the world's
demand and willingness to pay advanced prices, has more than doubled
the value of rough to the mines, and still further increased the cost
to the cutter. It was not until the year 1900 that the mines received
any considerable advance, i. e., 35s. io.2d. as against 29s. 7.2d. in
1899. From that time the price was steadily raised to 64s. 9-74d. in
1907.
