In Jagersfontein, South Africa, a dam close to an abandoned diamond mine collapsed, killing at least three persons, according to verifiable reports.
Early Sunday morning’s tragedy also caused floods, which resulted in property damage. At least 300 residents in Charlesville, Jagersfontein, have been impacted.
Nathan Shabangu, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s spokesman confirmed via SMS that 16 homes were destroyed and floodwaters damaged more than 20 others after the old mine’s dam wall fell.
The De Beers Plc-owned mine in the Free State region of South Africa was shut down in the 1970s.
Read Also: SERAP & Students sue FG to court over prolonged ASUU strike
According to reports, the small town of Jagersfontein, which is located around 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Bloemfontein, the region’s capital, and other adjacent townships, also lost electricity as a result of the dam’s collapse.
On Monday, the Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State pleaded with President Cyril Ramaphosa to see to it that those who lost everything due to a ruptured mine dam were compensated.
Ramaphosa traveled to the mining community in the Free State to learn firsthand about a devastating dam burst.
Eskom Holdings SOC Limited was unable to access a crucial electrical substation because of floodwaters and muck. As stated in a statement, the utility is trying to restore supplies.
De Beers still owns the mine’s wastes and slime, and a court injunction limits government access, according to Shabangu.
“We also have reports that the mine has been sold to other parties, without the involvement of the DMRE as per the court order,” he said.
The cause of the dam collapse, according to Minerals Council South Africa, a lobbying organization for the mining sector, is unknown.
The group said in a statement that none of its members now control the Jagersfontein assets and that it is unaware of either the ownership structure or level of management of the dumps.
In the meantime, hundreds of people had to be evacuated from their houses when President Cyril Ramaphosa was flown there on Monday to see the situation. The neighborhood where he engaged them welcomed him.
On Monday, the Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State pleaded with Ramaphosa to see to it that those who lost everything due to a burst mine dam were compensated.
Ramaphosa traveled to the mining community in the Free State to learn firsthand about a devastating dam burst.
