What started as a small hill called Colesberg Kopje became one of the richest diamond deposits ever found, sparking a diamond rush that helped found the De Beers company. The hole reaches roughly 240 metres deep at its lowest excavated point (later partially filled with debris) and has a circumference of about 1.6km. It's now the centrepiece of the Kimberley Mine Museum in the Northern Cape.
Source: Kimberley Mine Museum (The Big Hole)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Big Hole come to be dug in the first place?
Diamonds were found on Colesberg Kopje in 1871, and the news triggered a rush of prospectors who staked individual claims on the hill and began digging by hand, gradually turning the hill into a single enormous pit as claims were consolidated.
Why was it dug entirely by hand instead of with machinery?
Large-scale earthmoving machinery simply didn't exist yet for mining in the 1870s–1880s, so tens of thousands of workers relied on picks, shovels, and hauling systems, which is exactly why it still holds the "largest hand-dug excavation" distinction today.
What is the Big Hole used for now?
Mining stopped in 1914, and the site has since become a heritage attraction and museum that preserves original mining-era buildings and tells the story of South Africa's diamond rush and its industry's early history.