Minerals resources minister needs to retract. Tailing dams require critical monitoring and engineering expertise #Jagersfontein.
A dam at South Africa’s abandoned Jagersfontein diamond mine collapsed early Sunday, triggering heavy flooding that damaged property and killed at least three people.
About nine houses were swept away and more than 20 damaged by flood waters after the dam wall of the historic mine collapsed, Nathi Shabangu, a spokesman for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said via SMS.
De Beers told Fin24 in a statement that it had stopped operations at Jagersfontein over 50 years ago and eventually sold it in 2010.
"We have seen reports about the incident at Jagersfontein, and we share the concerns of the nation for the residents of the area.
"De Beers Group ceased operations at Jagersfontein in 1971 and despite having the sold the operation, along with its associated liabilities in 2010, we stand ready to provide technical assistance and support to the government should it be requested by the Minerals Council South Africa."
Minerals Council South Africa, a mining industry lobbying group, said the cause of the dam collapse was unknown.
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