Workshop: Mining lives and relations - Multi-species histories of mineral extraction in Southern Africa

Join the Boom2Dust project on 23-24 June 2025 at the McGregor Museum in Kimberley, South Africa, for an interdisciplinary workshop exploring the multi-species histories of mineral extraction in Southern Africa. This event brings together scholars from various fields to examine the often-overlooked role of non-human lives in mining landscapes.

Topics include the environmental impact of malaria control on the Zambian Copperbelt, the complex relationships between animals and diamond mining, and the socio-economic transformations linked to mining activities from colonial times to the present. Highlights will cover insights into the legacy of diamond mining in Kimberley, the lives of British pit ponies, and the intricate ties between mining, disease control, and environmental change. This workshop offers an engaging platform to rethink how mining histories intertwine with human and non-human experiences.

To explore the full program and learn more about the speakers and their research, visit the event website.

Please note that there is no online participation available.

Image: The Mine Dump viewed from Rooifontein. ‍Credit: Boom2Dust.