This cache is located near the R513 to the West of Cullinan. An
easy 5 minute walk from the parking spot will bring you to the
cache location. You will see the mine and mine dumps in the
distance, as well as pretty views in other directions.
From the Dinokeng Tourist Guide website:
The area of the village and Premier Mine was originally part of
the "The Cornelis Minnaar Farm", Elandsfontein no. 85. It was
registered on 7th November 1859.
The company was at first registered as the Premier Syndicate on
6th November 1902 but reregistered on the 1st December 1902 as The
Premier (Transvaal) Diamond Mining Company LTD with Thomas Cullinan
as chairperson.
Prospecting started immediately and in early April 1903 William
McHardy became the first general manager. Production began on 24th
April 1903 when the first steam plant, which comprised of three
rotary pans, known as No.1 gear, was put into commission. By 1904
the prosperous mine already employed more than 2000 people.
On the 25th January 1905 a diamond with the mass of 3,106 carats
in its uncut state was found in the side-wall of the open pit. Thus
the history of the Cullinan Diamond began. It is still the largest
gemstone ever found. Two of the stones cut from the Cullinan
Diamond are now found in the British Crown Jewels; the 530-carat
"Star of Africa", which is set in the sceptre and the 317-carat
"Lesser Star of Africa" which is set in the Imperial State
Crown.
The year 1914 proved to be the start of difficult times. Three
hundred and eighty one European employees were discharged for
provoking industrial disturbances at the mine. When the price of
diamonds plummeted during the outbreak of World War 1 in Europe in
August 1914, all operations at the Premier mine were suspended.
On the 16th January 1916, Premier Mine resumed production and in
1917, the De Beers Consolidated Mines acquired a controlling
interest in the Premier mine.
During 1918 nearly every family of the Cullinan communities lost
a member to the virulent flu epidemic.
The great depression which started in America in 1929 affected
the rest of the world and in 1932 operations at the Premier mine
were again suspended.
In 1945 all the rain water that accumulated over the past twelve
years while the mine had been closed, was pumped out of the big
hole and the mine resumed production. To this day Premier mine is
still producing some of the world's finest diamonds.