Gravellotte combines a specific local landmark with an emerald history that extends into the surrounding area and the region. The Big baobab tree in Gravelotte is one of the attractions of Ba-Phalaborwa. The mining information, by contrast, tells of historical developments spanning several decades: from the discovery of a mine to production figures and employment. This distinction is useful when deciding where to travel.
A local landmark
The Big baobab tree in Gravelotte is one of the attractions of Ba-Phalaborwa. It offers a specific local landmark for travelers looking for a named attraction when choosing a destination. Its context differs from that of the emerald history, which extends across the surrounding area and the region.
Emerald mining over time
The discovery of the Gravelotte Emerald Mine in 1927 ushered in extensive emerald mining activities in the region. From 1929 to 2002, documented production from Gravelotte and the surrounding area totaled nearly 113 million carats; Gravelotte contributed by far the largest share. The dates mark different milestones: 1927 refers to the discovery that ushered in extensive activities in the region, while the documented production total covers 1929 to 2002. The discovery and the production record therefore describe different periods of the history. The figure of nearly 113 million carats is a total for this period, not an annual figure.
A more specific point of reference is the Cobra open pit on the grounds of the Gravelotte Mine. Historically, it was the region’s largest single emerald-producing open pit. In the mid-1960s, the Cobra open pit is reported to have produced 21 million carats of emeralds. The reported 21 million carats refer to the Cobra open pit alone and to the mid-1960s; by contrast, the nearly 113 million carats cover production from Gravelotte and the surrounding area over the full period from 1929 to 2002.
What the figures mean in context
Employment offers another perspective: in the 1960s, the Gravelotte Project employed more than 400 sorters in the area around the destination. This figure describes employment, not a quantity of carats. Together with the production figure for the Cobra open pit, it adds another dimension to the story, while making clear that the figures do not all measure the same thing.
Local landmarks and regional history
If you are mainly interested in a specific attraction, the tree offers a local landmark. If you would like to put historical developments into context, the discovery, open pit, employment, and long-term production offer different perspectives on mining.
For the broader travel overview: Mopani.
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