Diamond crises hits Northern Cape as mines close

The Northern Cape has long been the heart of South Africa’s diamond mining industry, but this is now a thing of the past as miners battle difficult market conditions. In March, Ekapa Minerals Mine applied for provisional liquidation, a move that left over 1000 workers jobless. The latest casualties are employees of Finsch Mine near Lime Acres who were not paid their June salaries and are now facing job cuts. Earlier in the week, diamond giant De Beers, whose footprint is in the Northern Cape, announced its plans to retrench workers at Venetia mine in Limpopo. There has been growing pressure on the global natural diamond market, with questions being raised about the future of diamond mining. For more than a century, diamond mines have driven the Northern Cape’s economy. The recent closure of Ekapa Minerals Mine and the current uncertainty at Finsch Mine in Lime Acres highlight the growing challenges facing an industry that is now fast dwindling. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.