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PRINCIPAL SOUTH AFRICAN MINES 299
The Wesselton.
The
Wesselton, or Premier, as it was first called, takes its name from J.
J. Wessels, Sen., the owner of the Benaaudheidfontein farm, on which it
was discovered, in September, 1890. It is situated about one mile south
of the Dutoitspan, in Cape Colony, on the border of the Orange River
Colony; formerly, the Orange Free State. In extent it is equal to 1162
claims, equal to about 24 acres. The De Beers Consolidated Mines bought
the property in December, 1891, subject to certain mining rights, and
assumed control of the mine in January, 1896. Since that time it has
proved a valuable addition to the De Beers and the Syndicate. Although
the yield per load lias always been moderate, it runs very even, and
the output has been large in the aggregate. The quality of the diamonds
also is exceptionally good, and when free from flaws, they are rated
almost equal to white river-goods.
By
1903, the management was operating on seven levels down to 500 feet,
the two upper ones open work, the others underground. It was estimated
at that time there were 17,730,000 loads of blue in sight. It has been
one of the most profitable mines of the De Beers group, as the
following table shows:
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