Thousands rush to South African village on the hunt for diamonds

Hundreds of fortune hunters armed with pickaxes have descended on a small village after a farmer found a mystery gem that sparked a diamond rush.

Hundreds of people with pickaxes have descended upon a South African village after a herder unearthed a mystery gem.

More than 1000 people from across South Africa have flocked to KwaHlathi in the country’s KwaZulu-Natal province in search of new stones believed to be diamonds.

Fortune seekers have been digging since Saturday after word spread of a herder who dug up a jewel-like object in an open field, which some believe to be quartz crystals.

Diggers are not deterred by the fact the stones are yet to be valued and in fact, long lines of cars have piled onto the gravel road adjacent to the open field.

Fortune hunters dig for what they believe to be diamonds after the discovery of unidentified stones at KwaHlathi village near Ladysmith, South Africa, on June 15. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

Around 1000 people have descended on the site. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

A group of women call it a day after hours spent digging for diamonds. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

Some have even started selling the unidentified stones for between 100 rand ($A9.45) and 300 rand ($A28.35).

One newly minted miner said they were a boon for the community, which suffers from high levels of unemployment.

The diamond rush began after a cattle herder unearthed a handful of unidentified crystal-like pebbles. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

A woman with what she believes to be a diamond at KwaHlathi village. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

More stones, believed to be diamonds, found by a treasure hunter. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

The 27-year-old father-of-two said the discovery “means our lives will change because no one had a proper job, I do odd jobs”.

“When I returned home with them, (the family was) really overjoyed,” he said.

For some, the dig is a chance to see a diamond for the very first time.

“I hadn’t seen or touched a diamond in my life. It’s my first time touching it here,” Skhumbuzo Mbhele said.

People pan for diamonds at the site. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

News of the herder’s finding spread fast, triggering a rush to the site. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

Some have already started selling their finds to those willing to try to market them. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

South Africa’s mining department has sent a team of geologists and mining experts to survey the site.

Provincial government officials have called for the area to be cleared to allow authorities to conduct an in-depth inspection.

South Africa has one of the worst unemployment rates in Africa, trapping millions in poverty since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Experts do not rule out the possibility that they are genuine diamonds, although they consider this highly unlikely. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

The Department of Energy and Mines said it would send a team of experts to assess the site. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

There are Covid-19 concerns over the mass diamond-digging event. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP

The country is the most-industrialised nation in Africa but has a staggering 32.6 per cent of its working population without jobs, according to first quarter figures for 2021.

There are fears the congregation of such large groups of people could be contributing to the spread of Covid-19.

The site of the alleged find is some 360km southeast of Johannesburg.

The rush on KwaHlathi occurred after images and videos of people illegally mining the area and rejoicing began circulating on social media.

South African authorities have called “for calm and patience” while preliminary investigations are underway.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission