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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
