UASA Media Release: 22 July 2026
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
UASA expresses deep concern over the announced decision by De Beers, a diamond mining company in Limpopo, to suspend operations at the mine for two years. This decision endangers more than 1,200 jobs at Venetia Mine in Alldays, Limpopo.
Venetia Mine is the country’s largest diamond producer, accounting for over 40% of South Africa’s diamond output. The mine, owned by De Beers, employs more than 3,500 contract workers.
Some workers have received Section 189A notices, which could lead to retrenchments.
While the company has noted a significant drop in rough diamond prices as one of the drivers behind this decision to halt production, this decision is a huge concern regarding economic activity, the livelihoods of workers whose lives depend on their jobs, and the community at large.
The mining sector, a leading sector for job creation, should at least have policies and legislation that can intervene when it is facing a crisis without shedding jobs.
The decision to halt production not only affects workers who are directly employed by the company, but also many other parties, including diamond cutters, boards, and contractors. Additionally, the heavy impact will fall on the high unemployment rate that our country is facing.
The suspension of operations at Venetia Mine will result in a crippling effect on the broader diamond industry value chain, affecting both upstream suppliers and downstream operations such as cutting and polishing. UASA is calling for urgent government intervention to safeguard the natural diamond industry and for more stringent regulation of lab-grown diamonds. The diamond industry has been a cornerstone of the South African economy since the early 1900s and the strain is already visible as we have witnessed with the closure of Ekapa Minerals, and the communities of Kimberly left to feel the full impact of this downturn.
UASA calls for practical interventions from government, the Minerals Council of South Africa and stakeholders. We urge all involved parties to work together to find solutions to save jobs, livelihoods, and the economy.
We must all take part and do everything necessary to secure jobs and protect workers and our members.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview,contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.