South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the collapse of a dam wall at a disused diamond mine in Jagersfontein, Free State was horrific.
One person died, while four are still missing following the accident, which also caused massive destruction of property and loss of animals.
"This was horrific. This was really horrific," Ramaphosa was quoted as saying by News24 as he visited the affected area.
He promised the affected residents that Pretoria will prioritise assisting those whose homes and belongings were destroyed by the deluge.
"We are going to investigate, but for now let us focus on restoring the livelihoods of our people here with immediate effect,” said Ramaphosa.
“This includes businesses. We are also going to look into whose businesses have been affected and how we are going to support [them]."
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe had previously said compensation for fatalities and damage to property will be the responsibility of the company that owns the slimes dam.
De Beers sold the mine and tailings in 2010 to Superkolong Consortium, which comprised black investors.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration
London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...
07 october 2024
Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products
Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...
30 september 2024
Paul Zimnisky: China key for sustained recovery in demand for natural diamonds, prices
The curtailing of upstream and midstream natural diamond production in the past months is starting to have an effect on prices, according to the New-York-based independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant, Paul Zimnisky. He told Rough & Polished’s...
23 september 2024
