The team of geoscientists and mining experts that were inspecting the stones found in KwaHlathi in Ladysmith that were thought to be diamonds, have released a preliminary report stating that the stones are indeed not diamonds but instead quartz crystals. Last week, people flocked to the area, some even from other provinces, to mine the stones.
The team was consisting of KZN Regional officials, Council for Geoscience, South African Diamond, and Precious Metals Regulator, conducted an inspection at the site on Tuesday.
The team says it found that the site of the informal mining is geographically located on the edge of the Karoo dolerite sill, which is not in a zone where diamonds can be found.
However, the Council for Geoscience, working with various stakeholders, is expected to institute a geological mapping programme to investigate any other potential resources that may advance socio-economic development in the region.
The report comes after thousands flocked to Kwahlathi after a man discovered stones believed to be diamonds.
The discovery of crystal quartz which was believed to be diamonds came during the same week when the third largest diamond was discovered in Botswana.
