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Modderfontein museum preserving dynamite history

6th December 2013

By: Jade Davenport

Creamer Media Correspondent

  

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The use of explosive material, particu-larly dynamite, has played an integral, although somewhat understated, role in facilitating the development and growth of South Africa’s mighty mining industry for more than a century. Indeed, it is all very well having the richest treasure trove of metals and minerals ever discovered in one country but without the tools and technology – in this case dynamite – to extract such resources on a large scale, as evidenced during the twentieth century, the task of mining would not have been nearly as efficient or, for that matter, lucrative.

The history of dynamite in South Africa is synonymous with African Explosives Limited, now AEL, a member of the JSE-listed AECI group of companies, and its Modderfontein manufacturing facility on the eastern out-skirts of Johannesburg. Since 1896, when the first explosives factory was commissioned on that farm, Modderfontein has dominated the manufacture and supply of commercial explosive material and initiating systems, as well as blasting services, to the South African mining, quarrying and construction sectors.

The crucial and long-enduring role that one of Johannesburg’s oldest manufacturing complexes has played in servicing the needs of the South African mining and industrial sectors is celebrated at the Dynamite Museum, situated in the heart of the Modder-fontein estate.

The museum, which was opened by former AECI chairperson Harry Oppenheimer in 1987, is one of the lesser known of Johannesburg’s historical tourist attractions. However, as an avid history aficionado and having visited a plethora of historical mining attractions around the country, I can assure you that this museum is one of the more informative and superbly well kept.

The museum itself is housed in the first factory manager’s residence, which dates back to 1895. Although the museum is situated among a number of other historical houses, which also date back to the late nineteenth century, much of the original village and factory area has been demolished. (Originally, the factory area consisted of a weather station, a machine shop, shops for riggers, electricians, blacksmiths and boilermakers, a Masonic lodge, a power station, a salt plant, an inter-denominational church, a grocery store, a bakery and butchery and a hospital, as well as single men’s and women’s quarters.)

The museum contains all the information necessary to provide visitors with a knowledge of what dynamite is and how it works, as well as an understanding of how manufacturing capabilities were established and grown in South Africa from the late nineteenth century onwards. Specifically, the museum displays informa-tion pertaining to Alfred Nobel – the Swedish chemist and engi-neer who invented and patented the product in 1867 – and the dawn of commercial explosives; Alois Hugo Nellmapius and Eduoard Lippert, who were the ‘pioneers’ of dynamite manufac-turing in South Africa; the founding and early days of the Modderfontein factory; the factory’s role during the South African War of 1899 to 1902; and the formation of African Explosives & Industries Limited, the predecessor to AECI, in 1924.

Of particular interest is the information relating to Cecil John Rhodes and his estab-lishment of the rival De Beers Explosives Works, in Somerset West, in the Cape Colony, in 1899. (True to his character, Rhodes established the Cape-based explosive works in response to the refusal by the Nobel Dynamite Trust, which at the time operated a world monopoly in the manufacture of explosives, to supply dynamite at a more reasonable cost.)

On a more technical level, there is information pertaining to the materials used to manufacture dynamite as well as detailed explanations of the ammonia revolution and how ammonia – referred to as “the lifeblood of the South African chemical and explosives industry” – was used by the company from the 1940s onwards. Interestingly, there is a scale model of the Ammonia Loop at the No 4 ammonia plant, which was decommissioned in 2000, and information boards relating the history of Modderfontein’s historic manufacturing facilities and plants.

The museum also has a collection of a range of original documents, journals and maps, as well as historic equipment, pertaining to land surveying, transportation, engineering, administration, hospital and laboratories. There is also interesting miscellaneous memorabilia from the community that once lived and worked at Modderfontein.

The Dynamite Museum is maintained by means of funding provided by Heartland, a wholly owned subsidiary of AECI that is focused on realising the value of the group’s surplus land holdings across South Africa.

While the museum is easy to find, with signs visible from Modderfontein road, it is, unfortunately, only open Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 12:00.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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