The Ngwenya Mine in Eswatini is one of the oldest mines in the world. It’s located in the Barberton Mountain lands, northwest of Mbabane, and near the border with Mozambique. Ngwenya, which means crocodile, describes the shape of Eswatini’s (Swaziland’s) second-highest mountain, looming above the Ngwenya border post.
The open-cast mine catalyzed industrial and economic development in Swaziland. The open cast mining established the railway line and the electricity reticulation lines. The Matsapha Industrial Site area was developed as a direct result of the needs and proceeds of the open-cast mining.
In 1964 charcoal nodules from the site were sent for radiocarbon dating. The date of 43,000 BC was obtained which makes this one of the oldest known mining operations in the world. However, the mine can be older than this date. It is thought these ores were mined until 23,000 BC. This mine contains the history of early industrial development for the Southern African Region. Iron Ore was also mined and supplied to other parts of the region. This iron ore mining eventually led to the gradual change of tools in the region from stone tools to iron tools.
An iron ore mine dated by archaeologists to at least 43,000 years ago. The mineral mined here was specularite, an ore with a glittering sheen that was traditionally worn by chiefs as body paint for ceremonial occasions. All that remains today of the ancient mine is a modest hole in the hillside, known as Lion Cavern. The peoples concerned belonged to the Middle Stone Age, which flourished in southern Africa for about 100 000 years, until almost 20 000 years ago. The red ochre was also used by later peoples. the ancestors of the present San (Bushman) peoples for their rock paintings, of which there are many in Swaziland. The Swazi names of these pigments “libovu” (red ochre) and “ludumane” (sparkling ochre) indicate that exploitation of these minerals extended into historical times.
You can watch the short video of my visit here
Frog on the border 