The diamond rush in KwaHlathi, outside of Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, turned out to be quartz crystals after a full investigation by a team of mining experts. People flocked to the area a week ago after they discovered stones that closely resemble rough diamonds.
They were warned not to congregate in groups to avoid spreading COVID-19 but the idea that they could be missing out on diamonds was far too great. On Tuesday, officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and KZN government arrived at the site to gather more information and inspect the site.
Representatives from the Council for Geoscience and the South African Diamond & Precious Metals Regulator joined them to determine what the stones actually were.
In a live broadcast on Sunday, 20 June KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Ravi Pillay said: “The tests conducted conclusively revealed that the stones discovered in the area are not diamonds as some had hoped. In fact, has been discovered are quartz-crystals that are common across the Karoo Supergroup with an extensional facture planes within, and along, the contact of the Karoo dolerite sill.”
Although the exact value of the crystals has not yet been determined, it is a far cry from the cost of diamonds.
Pillay said, “There will be further studies conducted. The Council of Geoscience working with various stakeholders will institute a geological mapping programme to further understand any other potential resources that may advance social economic development in KwaHlathi.”
The minister further appealed to locals at the site to vacate the area because of the potential risk of coronavirus infections, as South Africans deal with the third wave.
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