The second module focuses on diamonds, as this is the current focus of the national school’s curriculum. For almost 150 years, the diamond mining industry has played a significant part in the historical and industrial development of South Africa and continues to play an important role in the lives of employees, communities and the country as a whole by providing jobs and benefits, education and training, social projects and infrastructure and attracting foreign capital into the country via direct investment.

In 2017, the diamond mining industry:

  • Employed 18 227 people.
  • Paid employees ZAR 5.2 billion in earnings.
  • Paid ZAR 0.3 billion in royalties to government.
  • Produced 9.9 million carats diamonds.
  • Sold ZAR 16.4 billion of diamonds.