Largest excavation by hand

Jagersfontein Mine, near Jagersfontein, South Africa, is an open-pit mine which has provided some of the largest diamonds ever discovered. It operated as a mine from 1888 until 1971, first as an open mine and then as an underground mine. The Jagersfontein Mine was dug by hand to a depth of 201 m (660 ft) between 1888 and 1911. The area of the opening measures 19.65 ha (48.55 acres).