Novice miner, Fanakalo school, Hartebeesfontein Gold Mine, Klerksdorp.

Within David Goldblatt's "On The Mine" series, we find a poignant exploration of the Witwatersrand gold mines and the communities intertwined with them during the pivotal decades of the 1960s and 1970s. With keen observation and compassionate insight, Goldblatt documents the essential role of mining in shaping South Africa's economy. His lens captures the essence of mining life, from the laborious tasks of shaft-sinking and stoping to the human dynamics within the corporate hierarchy of the mines. He portrays the resilience and struggles of individuals, while also revealing the melancholy of abandoned mine sites. Goldblatt's early childhood photographs foreshadow his deep-seated fascination with mining structures, laying the groundwork for a thematic exploration that would define his artistic journey.