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South African Scientist Urges Turning Abandoned Mines into Tourism Hubs to Boost Local Communities
Repurposing old mines across Africa into sustainable tourism sites could help create jobs and preserve mining heritage, according to Dr. Khodani Matshusa, a geologist at the University of South Africa.
Abandoned mines often cause water pollution, land subsidence, and safety risks, but examples like the Kimberley Big Hole and Gold Reef City show how they can be transformed into economic assets, Matshusa explained.
“Local people could be employed in that area, and they could work as tour guides, artifacts; they could create some stuff and sell food there,” he told Sputnik Africa.
The geologist urged African nations to adopt this model, turning mineral wealth into long‑term community benefits.
“Most of these mines have a very rich history,” Matshusa concluded.
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