Witwatersrand

views updated May 23 2018

Witwatersrand (Rand) Series of parallel mountain ranges more than 1500m (5000ft) high, forming a watershed between the Vaal and Olifant rivers, in former Transvaal, ne South Africa. The region extends c.100km (62mi) e and w of Johannesburg. Gold was first discovered in 1884 and mining began two years later. Witwatersrand still produces c.30% of the world's total output of gold. Silver is recovered as a by-product of gold refining. Coal and manganese are also mined, and there are many ancillary industries in the region.

World Encyclopedia

Rand

views updated May 21 2018

Rand 1 / rand/ (the Rand) another name for Witwatersrand.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Rand

views updated Jun 08 2018

Rand See Witwatersrand

World Encyclopedia

Witwatersrand

views updated May 08 2018

Witwatersrand See RANDIAN.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

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Witwatersrand

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