De Beers Venetia Mine shutdown plan puts 1,214 jobs at risk, says NUM

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has vowed to fight De Beers’ plan to pause production at Venetia Mine in Limpopo

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has vowed to fight De Beers’ plan to pause production at Venetia Mine in Limpopo for two years, saying the move could put 1,214 jobs at risk.

IOL previously reported that De Beers said it will pause production at the Venetia mine in Limpopo, South Africa’s biggest diamond mine, for two years to reduce costs.

The proposed action at the Venetia mine follows the decision earlier this year to pause the Tuzo Phase 3 expansion project at the Gahcho Kué mine in Canada, the group said in a statement on Monday.

In a statement released to the media, the union said the decision would have a devastating impact on workers, their families and communities that depend on the mine for their livelihoods.