South Africa’s West Coast is a raw, fragile and vital global biodiversity hotspot. Removed from the view of mainstream media attention, this coastline is under relentless and catastrophic pressure from diamond and heavy mineral mining on its sandy shores and in the ocean. The feature-length documentary Out of Mined is shining a light on this devastation and the action needed to turn things around.
Through the voices of local communities, scientists, environmentalists, and indigenous people, the film reveals the scars created by the mining industry. It shows what is at stake and outlines sustainable alternatives to transform the future of this once-pristine coastline.
More than a story of destruction and biodiversity loss, Out of Mined evokes a sense of resilience and hope. It is a call to discard the extractive mindset, create local policy change and cause global reflection on the choices we make as humans. We buy diamonds as a symbol of love, but we do not know the extent of the damage this causes to people and the planet.