(miningweekly.com) - Small and junior diamond miners are facing persistent challenges from a policy and regulatory perspective, which has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of small miners over recent years, a report titled ‘Status of the South African Small and Junior Diamond Mining Sector’, states. The report, which, was written by Nelson Mandela University geology graduate (MSc) Sinazo Dlakavu was published in August by the Africa Earth Observatory Institute, under the auspices of the Nelson Mandela University.
The report, finds that, in March 2020, there were about 220 small and junior miners in South Africa. The gradual but significant decline in the number of small and junior diamond miners has contributed to the rising unemployment rate in South Africa. These hard-hit areas include Namaqualand on the west coast of South Africa; the Northern Cape, including the historical diamond centre of Kimberley; and the North West province.
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