KIMBERLEY MINES AT THE PRESENT DAY
T
HE De Beers Consolidated Mines, Limited, was founded in 1888, mainly through the genius of the late Cecil John Rhodes, for the purpose of acquiring allimportant diamond-mining interests in the Kimberley area and thereby controlling the output. The two richest mines, Kimberley and De Beers, have been actively worked ever since, and have been the main contributors to an output which now realises over five millions sterling annually. Dutoitspan Mine was completely closed down, and practically the whole of Bultfontein was kept idle for many years ; but with a view to the requirements of the future and the marked increase in the demand for diamonds, notwithstanding the 34
