SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleSourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing Workers
Owners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
Five employees of the Ekapa diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa, were trapped underground after a mudslide at the mine on Feb. 17. (Photo courtesy of Ekapa’s LinkedIn page)
Kimberley, South Africa—A 158-year-old diamond mine in South Africa has reportedly closed following a mudslide that trapped five workers underground last week.
The workers have yet to be found but are presumed dead.
On Feb. 17, a surge of water, mud, and rock flooded an underground section of the Ekapa Mine in Kimberley, the capital of Northern Cape province, blocking access to the lowest mining level and trapping the workers roughly half a mile underground, according to a report from the Associated Press.
South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said in a statement released Feb. 20 that it was assisting with recovery efforts and had launched a formal investigation into the tragedy.
The department did not respond to a request for additional comment by press time.
The mine’s owners, Ekapa Resources and Ekapa Minerals, announced to workers on Wednesday that it has filed for liquidation, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), adding that the workers trapped underground were “presumed deceased.”
The company cited financial concerns due to the downturn in the diamond market and the costs associated with the recovery efforts following the mudslide, the news organization said.
More than 1,000 workers have seemingly lost their jobs due to the closing, and it is unclear if they will be paid.
The miner’s website appears to have been taken down.
Related stories will be right here …
The workers have yet to be found but are presumed dead.
On Feb. 17, a surge of water, mud, and rock flooded an underground section of the Ekapa Mine in Kimberley, the capital of Northern Cape province, blocking access to the lowest mining level and trapping the workers roughly half a mile underground, according to a report from the Associated Press.
South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said in a statement released Feb. 20 that it was assisting with recovery efforts and had launched a formal investigation into the tragedy.
The department did not respond to a request for additional comment by press time.
The mine’s owners, Ekapa Resources and Ekapa Minerals, announced to workers on Wednesday that it has filed for liquidation, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), adding that the workers trapped underground were “presumed deceased.”
The company cited financial concerns due to the downturn in the diamond market and the costs associated with the recovery efforts following the mudslide, the news organization said.
More than 1,000 workers have seemingly lost their jobs due to the closing, and it is unclear if they will be paid.
The miner’s website appears to have been taken down.
The tragic incident has prompted unions, including the South African Federation of Trade Unions and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, to publish statements calling for transparency and accountability.
In its statement released Feb. 26, The Congress of South African Trade Unions said it “hopes the board and management of Ekapa Mine are not attempting to escape accountability by hastily applying for liquidation.”
“Given the country’s dangerously high unemployment rate of 41.1 percent, we cannot afford to lose a single job. In the same breath, no job is worth losing a life over—and in this instance it appears we have lost five breadwinners, the impact on their families is unimaginable.”
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe will return to the Ekapa Mine on Friday, SABC reported.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
