Quartz crystals and not diamonds found in KwaHlathi

The MEC for Economic Development in the province, Ravi Pillay, confirmed yesterday (June 20) from the Council Chambers at the Ladysmith Town Hall that the stones found in KwaHlathi are quartz crystals and not diamonds, as many have hoped.

The Department of Mineral Resources & Energy (DMRE), Council for Geoscience, South African Diamond & Precious Metal Regulator and MinTek analysed samples and produced a preliminary report on their findings.

MEC Ravi Pillay said the report shows that the site where the mining was taking place is geographically located on the edge of what is called the Karoo Dolerite Sill, which is not in a zone where diamond occurrences are present. This was further confirmed by the analysis that was done at the site.

Also read: Team of diamond inspectors expected at KwaHlathi soon

He added that the tests conclusively revealed that the stones are not diamonds, but are in fact quartz crystals. The value of the stones has not yet been established, but the value of crystals is considerably lower compared to diamonds. Further studies will be done to understand any other potential resources in the KwaHlathi area.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni is appealing to the community to vacate the site in light of the fact that it is not diamonds that have been found.