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South African Diamond Mining Company Says 5 Trapped Miners Presumed Dead and Files for Liquidation
Ekapa Mine closure ends 158 years of diamond mining in Kimberley; 1,200 jobs at risk amid global market downturn and fatal mudslide disaster.
- On Wednesday, Ekapa Resources and Ekapa Minerals said five miners are now presumed deceased and that they filed for liquidation after the mine was shut.
- On Feb. 17, a surge of water, mud and rock swept into the Ekapa Mine, flooding a shaft around 800 meters underground and blocking access to the lowest level.
- Despite drilling by specialist rescue and drilling teams, owners said tunnels remained filled with mud and water with no signs of life, confirming conditions unsurvivable.
- The union said it was shocked and will meet legal teams, while the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will meet the firm, as about 1,200 workers face job loss if liquidated.
- The company said it cannot meet its financial obligations given a prolonged global diamond market downturn, following a careful assessment, and cited the end of 158 years of continuous diamond mining in Kimberley, according to CEO Jahn Hohne.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Associated Press News
South African diamond mining company says 5 trapped miners presumed dead and files for liquidation
A South African diamond mine is being shut down after a mudslide trapped five miners underground and the company says they are presumed dead.
Diamond Miner Ekapa Files for Liquidation After Tragedy
South African diamond company Ekapa Mining has filed for liquidation a week after five miners were trapped in a mudslide. The incident took place at the Ekapa mine in Kimberley, the capital of South Africa’s Northern Cape province, on February 17, when a sudden rush of water and mud quickly flooded part of the underground section of the deposit, cutting off access to the lowest mining level, approximately 800 meters below ground, according to an…
Missing Ekapa miners left behind as company shuts down
Missing Ekapa miners left behind as company shuts down Estelle.Bronkhorst Wed, 02/25/2026 - 15:15 JOHANNESBURG - The Ekapa mine in Kimberley has shut down with immediate effect.The five workers who were trapped underground are now presumed dead.The company has also applied for liquidation.Meanwhile, 385 workers have reportedly not been paid this month.In a statement, the company said: “After careful consideration of all operational, financ…
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