15 Mar 2020

Lerala mine is not operational and has been in liquidation since June 2017, says Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Mr Moagi noted that the mine was closed due to financial constraints as well as operational inefficiency.

Mr Kopanang Thekiso has been appointed as the liquidator and is still in search of investors to acquire the mine, he said.

The minister stated that 150 permanent employees and 40 casual workers lost their jobs, adding that mine assets had been maintained as much as possible where financial resources permit. “One case of cable theft was reported from the mine,” he said.

Mr Moagi pointed out that some investors had shown interest to acquire the mine and a local company named Maroon Capital (Pty) Ltd was shortlisted by the liquidator as the preferred bidder.

Kanye North legislator, Mr Thapelo Letsholo had asked for an update on the status of Lerala diamond mine and also wanted to know if the mine was operational as well as the number of employees who had lost their jobs in consequence, the status of the mine assets.

He also wanted to know if any investors had shown interest in operating the mine. Ends