Editing Koffiefontein (section)

===Diamonds===
The area was a coffee stop for many transport riders in the 19th century until one of the riders discovered a [[diamond]], and a town grew rapidly. The diamonds of Koffiefontein were known to be of the "first water"; meaning of very good clarity.<ref>[[Koffiefontein mine]]</ref> The [[Koffiefontein mine|diamond mine]] established by [[De Beers]] in 1870 was closed down in 2006.<ref>[http://www.debeersgroup.com/en/Media-centre/Press-releases/2006/De-Beers-Consolidated-Mines-to-close-Koffiefontein-Mine/ "De Beers Consolidated Mines to Close Koffiefontein Mine"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524194758/http://www.debeersgroup.com/en/Media-centre/Press-releases/2006/De-Beers-Consolidated-Mines-to-close-Koffiefontein-Mine/ |date=2011-05-24 }}, De Beers press release, 20 January 2006</ref> The mine was then acquired by Petra Diamonds in 2007 and is currently still in operation.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=112917 | title=Petra wraps up Koffiefontein acquisition, ready to start gem sales }}</ref> Although the mine and supporting businesses have employed a large number of the local population, the area is still characterised by poverty. Census data indicate that 57% of the Koffiefontein population are below the poverty line.