Jagersfontein Mine
South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation has chosen not to shut down the Jagersfontein diamond mine in the Free State, even after a hard-hitting report laid bare serious flaws that led to the tragic 2022 dam wall failure. The incident, which unleashed millions of cubic metres of toxic sludge, claimed two lives, left one person missing and presumed dead, and devastated nearby communities. Released on Friday, 28 November 2025, the report pointed to long-standing risks the mine’s operators may have known about since 2019, sparking outrage over why the site remains active.
The decision highlights the tough balance between safety and keeping small towns alive economically, as officials worry closing the mine could spell doom for local jobs and livelihoods. Yet, critics argue it risks another disaster in a country already scarred by mining mishaps. As criminal charges loom for those involved and new rules for tailings dams are mulled, this case shines a light on gaps in oversight that have cost lives. Here’s a full breakdown of the report’s revelations, the choice to keep operations going, and what it means for affected families and the mining world.
The 2022 Collapse: A Preventable Tragedy Revisited
The dam wall at Jagersfontein gave way on 11 September 2022, releasing over six million cubic metres of mine waste in a deadly flood that swept through homes and farms. Two people drowned in the chaos, and one remains unaccounted for, presumed lost to the toxic flow. Dozens were injured, and hundreds displaced as sludge buried properties and polluted water sources, causing long-term health and environmental woes.
Compiled by experts from the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand, the new report digs into the root causes. It found the dam was built without proper designs from a registered engineer, a basic safety step skipped that left the structure weak. Signs of trouble, like cracks and leaks, were spotted as far back as 2019, but little was done to fix them. The probe suggests management knew of the dangers but pushed on, putting profits over people.
This was no freak accident – the report paints a picture of years of neglect, from poor monitoring to ignoring warnings. Tailings dams, which hold mining waste, are meant to be safe under strict rules, but Jagersfontein’s fell short, leading to one of SA’s worst mining spills in recent times.
Why Not Close the Mine: Economic Lifeline vs Safety Risks
Water and Sanitation officials, led by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, opted against halting operations, citing the town’s heavy reliance on the mine for jobs and income. “One of the reasons given by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo to say they could not allow the town to die a slow death due to inactivities in any economic operations,” explained department spokesperson Wally Ramokopa.
Jagersfontein, a small Free State spot, leans on mining for survival. Shuttering it could leave hundreds out of work, crippling local shops and services. The department weighed this against the risks, choosing to let it run under tighter watch instead. But this call has drawn fire from locals and activists, who fear another slip could wipe out more lives.
The report has gone to Cabinet for review, aiming to shape new rules for tailings dams not covered by mining laws. These gaps let some sites slip through cracks, and fixing them could prevent future heartbreaks.
Steps to Prevent Another Disaster: Shift to Historic Pit
To avoid a repeat, the mine has switched to using an old open pit from De Beers’ diamond days for waste storage. “They are now using the historic pit which is in their facility – it is the pit that was actually developed by De Beers when they were still mining for diamonds,” Ramokopa said. This move aims to contain tailings safer, away from unstable walls.
The department vows closer monitoring, with regular checks and fixes to meet safety standards. Yet, doubts linger – the report showed past warnings went unheeded, so will new ones stick? Environmental groups call for independent oversight to ensure real change, not just words.
Legal Fallout: Criminal Charges and High Court Battle
Mine representatives now face criminal prosecution, with the case bumped to the Free State High Court. Charges could include negligence or environmental crimes, stemming from the probe’s findings of ignored risks. This shift to a higher court signals the seriousness, potentially leading to jail time or big fines if guilty.
The tragedy also sparked civil suits from victims seeking compensation for lost homes and livelihoods. As probes wrap up, more details on who knew what – and when – could emerge, holding feet to the fire.
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