SourcingSep 06, 2022
Authorities Investigate Worker Fatality at Gahcho Kué Mine in CanadaSourcingSep 14, 2022
At Least 3 Killed After Tailings Dam Collapses at S. Africa Diamond Mine
The accident occurred at Jagersfontein, an inactive mine where a Dubai-based company currently reprocesses tailings.
This photo from the South African government’s Twitter account shows the damage the Sept. 11 collapse of a tailings dam at the Jagersfontein Mine caused to nearby homes and businesses. (Photo courtesy of @GovernmentZA)
Jagersfontein-Charlesville, South Africa—At least three people were killed earlier this week after a dam burst at an inactive open-pit diamond mine in South Africa currently owned by Dubai-based Stargems Group.
According to the South African government, a dam holding back tailings at the Jagersfontein Mine collapsed around 6 a.m. local time on Sept. 11.
The accident flooded local homes and infrastructure with sludge, knocking out power, displacing residents and killing at least three people, according to a statement issued Sunday by the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Additionally, four people are missing and 27 have been treated for hypothermia or injuries.
According to the South African government, a dam holding back tailings at the Jagersfontein Mine collapsed around 6 a.m. local time on Sept. 11.
The accident flooded local homes and infrastructure with sludge, knocking out power, displacing residents and killing at least three people, according to a statement issued Sunday by the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Additionally, four people are missing and 27 have been treated for hypothermia or injuries.
[Watch] President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Jagersfontein where flooding from a disused mine has caused the evacuation of hundreds of people from their homes and the death of at least one person. #Jagersfontein pic.twitter.com/nJ0vm4tlmO
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 12, 2022
Originally a De Beers Group mine, Jagersfontein has been the site of diamond digging since the late 1800s and has produced some of the world’s largest rough diamonds, including the 972-carat “Excelsior.”
De Beers confirmed that it stopped mining on the site in 1971. In 2010, it sold Jagersfontein to the Superkolong Consortium, a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) holding company for a number of mining operations.
In April of this year, Stargems Group bought Jagersfontein as well as the rights to an alluvial diamond project near Kimberley, South Africa, from Reinet Investments for an undisclosed amount. South African billionaire and Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert runs Reinet.
Via Jagersfontein Developments Ltd., Stargems Group reprocesses old tailings at the former mine site, meaning the company sifts through waste in the hopes of finding diamonds that were missed the first time around.
“Rooipoort (the alluvial project) and Jagersfontein … are a source of high-value and exceptional single stones and a very healthy run-of-mine production,” Stargems Group Chairman Shailesh Javeri told Rapaport at the time of the acquisition. “We hope to increase the production in the coming years and add value to the mine and the communities it represents.”
Stargems Group did not respond to National Jeweler’s request comment on the dam failure Tuesday, but Bloomberg reported the company is investigating the cause of the collapse and pledging 20 million South African rand ($1.2 million) to help the community recover.
Related stories will be right here …
De Beers confirmed that it stopped mining on the site in 1971. In 2010, it sold Jagersfontein to the Superkolong Consortium, a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) holding company for a number of mining operations.
In April of this year, Stargems Group bought Jagersfontein as well as the rights to an alluvial diamond project near Kimberley, South Africa, from Reinet Investments for an undisclosed amount. South African billionaire and Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert runs Reinet.
Via Jagersfontein Developments Ltd., Stargems Group reprocesses old tailings at the former mine site, meaning the company sifts through waste in the hopes of finding diamonds that were missed the first time around.
“Rooipoort (the alluvial project) and Jagersfontein … are a source of high-value and exceptional single stones and a very healthy run-of-mine production,” Stargems Group Chairman Shailesh Javeri told Rapaport at the time of the acquisition. “We hope to increase the production in the coming years and add value to the mine and the communities it represents.”
Stargems Group did not respond to National Jeweler’s request comment on the dam failure Tuesday, but Bloomberg reported the company is investigating the cause of the collapse and pledging 20 million South African rand ($1.2 million) to help the community recover.
News of the deaths in South Africa come less than two weeks after another diamond mine-related fatality.
An employee of a contractor partner at De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds’ Gahcho Kué mine died Sept. 1 following an incident at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
De Beers and Mountain Province said authorities are investigating the incident. A De Beers spokesperson said Wednesday there is no update on the incident at this time and no details will be shared while the investigation is active.
At the request of the contractor partner, De Beers and Mountain Province are not sharing any personal details about the individual who was killed.
The Jagersfontein dam collapse also comes less than a year after reports of another diamond mine tailings dam incident, this one in Angola.
In September 2021, researchers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa University said a leak of heavy metals from a tailings dam at the Catoca mine in neighboring Angola polluted two Congo River tributaries, killing people and fish and affecting nearly a million lives.
The following month, however, Catoca, a joint venture of Alrosa and Angola’s state-run diamond company, Endiama, refuted the claim that the “toxic” spill had killed people, stating that it had tested the water and found it to contain a mixture of sand and clay, but no hard metals, Reuters reported.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
