100 Years of Diamond Discovery on the West Coast

The Overberg Geoscientists Group is excited to share insights from the West Coast Diamond Centenary Presentation by Dr. John Bristow. This marks a century of exploration, discovery, and mining along South Africa’s coastline, from the pioneering days of Jack Carstens’ first diamond find in 1925 to the advanced offshore operations of today.

Key Highlights:

• 1925: Jack Carstens discovers diamonds near Port Nolloth, triggering a diamond rush.
• 1941: Prospecting expands south to Kleinzee, laying the foundation for De Beers’ Namaqualand mines.
• 1961-65: Offshore diamond mining begins, setting the stage for modern marine operations.
• 2025: Land-based deposits are mostly depleted, with mining shifting to mid-sized offshore vessels using cutting-edge technology.

This journey has unlocked 400 km of diamond-rich coastline, with billions of carats mined from alluvial deposits shaped by the Orange River over millions of years. However, challenges remain, including illegal mining and environmental concerns.

For a deep dive into this fascinating history, read the full presentation here.