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Meanwhile, the number of people mining the land had dwindled to less than 500, Pillay continued, though significant damage had already been done with an area of around 50 hectares covered in holes of up to one metre, posing a danger to cattle. People in the area had also raised concerns specifically around roads and water during the visit, which officials at the briefing said they would address. Like many areas in South Africa, high levels of unemployment and poverty have left communities living hand to mouth. The event had highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by local people, he continued. “The value, if any, of the quartz crystals is yet to be established but it must be mentioned that the value of quartz crystals is very low compared to that of diamonds.” “The tests conducted conclusively revealed that the stones discovered in the area are not diamonds as some had hoped,” he said, adding they were in fact quartz crystals. Provincial executive council member for economic development and tourism, Ravi Pillay, told a media briefing on Sunday he had counted some 3,000 there during a visit to the site, where samples were taken to identify the stones. This could prove to be a super-spreader and might put at risk many people including those who are not part of the mining”.People from across South Africa travelled to KwaHlathi in the country’s eastern KwaZulu-Natal province where villagers had been digging since June 12 after a herder discovered the first stone in an open field and put out the word. People from across South Africa have flocked to KwaHlathi village. “It is also very concerning that in the wake of a looming third wave we have so many people gathered in one spot, not maintaining social distancing and also not wearing masks. 'Diamond rush' grips South African village as 1,000 fortune-seekers flock to the area after shepherd discovers unidentified gems. if you insist on a story that means these are diamonds let these. (AFP Photo) The prospect of finding a diamond sent glimmering ripples of hope to one of the poorest regions of South Africa as the coronavirus pandemic worsened decades of extremely high unemployment levels. KZN govt worried that KwaHlathi diamond rush may be COVID superspreader event. He added that the illegal mining activities could also be in violation of the Covid-19 regulations. A boy holds what he believes to be a diamond in KwaHlathi village near Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, June 15, 2021.
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We call for order and calm and urge all those involved to cease their operations and vacate the site so as to allow the DMRE to conduct a proper inspection of the site and of what has been discovered there,” Premier Sihle Zikalala said.ĪLSO READ | ‘Satanic earrings’ blamed for causing pupils to hallucinate at KZN school But the reality is that the diamond rush is likely to end with the same disappointment that. “We are worried that if not brought under control the situation could result in chaos and a possible stampede. KwaHlathi residents in KwaZulu-Natal hope that unidentified stones could change their future. “We are deeply concerned about the images showing that some people coming from as far as some of the neighbouring provinces and towns are flocking into kwaHlathi. SA diamond rush called off after fortune-seekers disappointed by finding quartz: MINING hopefuls were disappointed to find that the diamonds they had been digging for in KwaZulu-Natal’s KwaHlathi were in fact quartz of little economic value. The Mintek and GCS teams will include a geologist and will focus on establishing what exactly are these items that have been discovered KwaHlathi. He said the second team includes officials from the Council for Geoscience and Mintek, which is the council for Mineral Technology. 'Diamond rush' grips South African village as 1,000 fortune-seekers flock to the area after shepherd discovers unidentified gems People from across South Africa have flocked to KwaHlathi village in.