South Africa has a rich mining history, and several mines offer tours where visitors can explore underground tunnels, learn about the country’s mineral wealth, and experience the life of a miner. Here are some of the best mine tours in South Africa:

Gold Mines
Gold Reef City (Johannesburg)
• Located on an old gold mine, this theme park offers underground mine tours where visitors can experience the gold mining process.
• Learn how gold was extracted and refined, and even see a real gold pour.
• The site also features a museum showcasing Johannesburg’s gold rush era.

Barberton Gold Mines (Mpumalanga)
• Visit some of South Africa’s oldest working gold mines, dating back to the 1880s.
• The Sheba Mine and Fairview Mine offer insights into historic and modern gold mining.
• The Barberton area is also known for gold panning experiences.

Diamond Mines
Cullinan Diamond Mine (Cullinan)
• Famous for producing the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality diamond ever found.
• Offers surface and underground tours, showcasing the entire diamond mining process.
• Visitors can see diamond cutting and polishing in action.

Kimberley Big Hole & Mine Museum (Kimberley, Northern Cape)
• Explore one of the largest hand-dug holes in the world, where thousands of diamonds were mined.
• The museum features reconstructed old town buildings, original mining equipment, and a viewing platform over the Big Hole.

Platinum & Other Mines
Marikana Platinum Mine Tours (North West Province)
• Some mines in the Rustenburg area offer guided tours showcasing South Africa’s leading platinum production.
• Learn about modern platinum mining techniques and the industry’s economic impact.

Phalaborwa Open Pit Mine (Limpopo)
• One of the largest copper mines in Africa, offering incredible views of an enormous open-pit mining operation.
• Visitors can learn about copper extraction and the region’s geological history.

Pilgrim’s Rest (Mpumalanga)
• A preserved gold rush town, offering historical gold mining tours and panning experiences.
• Visitors can walk through the Alanglade House Museum, which showcases life during the mining boom.