South Africa’s small-scale diamond producers are struggling to survive due to the prevailing industry downturn characterised by weak prices.
South African Diamond Producers Organisation (Sadpo) chairperson Van Niekerk was quoted by Mining Weekly as saying that figures from 2023 show that the total number of employees in the diamond-producing industry in the country was around 15 000, and at the smaller end, about 4 500, or 30%, of the total opportunities in the diamond industry.
“It rests with us producing between 3% and 7% of the carat weight,” he said.
“At this stage, it’s vitally important for us to survive, to keep these jobs available. Most of the areas in which we operate are very remote, and alternative job opportunities are very scarce.”
Meanwhile, Sadpo vice-chairperson Lyndon de Meillon said there was need for ingenuity for the industry to emerge from the gutter.
“To ensure that natural diamonds regain their shine, the industry needs to aggressively and cleverly advertise diamonds to the younger generation to embrace the natural source, age and amazing creational history of natural diamonds,” he said.
“This means that branding and traceability will become more important as today's consumer is much more conscious of the impact mining has on the environment and on the communities where diamonds are being mined.”
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief, Rough&Polished
