In a devastating incident, a collision between a bus and a lorry has resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives among employees of mining giant De Beers in South Africa. The accident occurred near the Venetia mine, one of the nation’s largest diamond mines, situated in Limpopo province in the northern region.
Vongani Chauke, a transport official based in Limpopo, provided details regarding the tragic collision. The incident occurred at approximately 1600 GMT, situated roughly 25 kilometers (15 miles) away from the mine. The accident site was in close proximity to the village of Musina, near the border with Zimbabwe. As of now, the precise cause of this devastating accident is still under investigation.
South Africa boasts one of the most extensive road networks in Africa but unfortunately also holds one of the continent’s poorest road safety records.
The Venetia mine, operated by the De Beers group for over three decades, plays a significant role in South Africa’s diamond production, contributing to over 40 percent of the nation’s annual output. The mine provides employment to over 4,300 individuals, including many from the local community.
Historically an open-cast mine, the Venetia facility underwent a substantial $2 billion investment by De Beers to transition to underground mining, allowing access to less accessible diamond reserves. The group’s objective is to achieve an annual production of four million carats.
In July, De Beers announced the commencement of underground diamond production from newly developed seams beneath the former open-cast mine, marking a significant milestone in their operations.
