[imagesource:davidbrossard/flickr]

The De Beers group have confirmed that investigations into the possible cause of ‘ground movement’ on the eastern side of the Big Hole in Kimberley were underway.

Following discussions with the local taxi association and the mining group, the Sol Plaatje Municipality closed the Bultfontein Road due to safety concerns.

The Big Hole is a 40-hectare open-pit diamond mine and the largest hand-excavated hole in the world and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in South Africa.

De Beers spokesperson, Jackie Mapiloko, says that the company welcomes and supports the closure of the road.

“This is giving us an opportunity to continue our research work on the ground movement observed on the eastern part of the bog hole pit next to the Bultfontein road. The investigation is still in progress and we will provide feedback to the municipality and the provincial government in due course,” he added.

The ground movement on the eastern side was first noticed in early November 2023. De Beers quickly shut down the area and conducted an inquiry into the reason for the movement.

The closure of the Bultfontein Road is causing a major inconvenience for local residents and businesses, but, the Sol Plaatje Municipality says that it is necessary to close the road to ensure the safety of the public. Safety first and so forth, but the Kimberley CBD has been choked with mini-bus taxis since the closure, leaving many locals irate.

The De Beers group is one of the world’s largest producers of diamonds and has been operating in Kimberley since 1887 and is a major employer in the city.

[source:sabcnews]