Williamson mine - The African Mirror

Nov

2022

Petra Diamonds’ Tanzania mine ops suspended for three months

PETRA Diamonds has suspended operations at its Williamson mine in Tanzania for up to three months after a wall of the tailings dam at the site was breached earlier this week, the company said. Petra Diamonds, which operates three mines in South Africa as well as Tanzania's biggest diamond mine, said there had been no fatalities as a result of the incident and three minor injuries had been reported, adding a probe was underway to establish the cause of the breach. A total of 13 dwellings have been affected by the breach, with those impacted getting aids and accommodation, Petra added.…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Petra Diamonds reaches settlement on rights abuse claims

NEWS

PETRA Diamonds has reached a settlement with claimants at its Williamson mine in Tanzania who accused the firm of being responsible for widespread human rights violations including beatings and detentions, both sides said. Last year, the firm said it was investigating allegations that artisanal miners who trespassed on the firm's Williamson mine in Tanzania were detained, beaten and shot at, killing at least seven of them. The abuses were allegedly committed by security contractors and security employees of Petra's subsidiary Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL). "Petra Diamonds Limited today confirms that a settlement has been reached, on a no admission of…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Petra Diamonds investigates charges Tanzanian subsistence miners abused

HUMAN RIGHTS

PETRA Diamonds said it was investigating allegations by a British non-governmental organisation that subsistence miners who trespassed on the firm's Williamson mine in Tanzania were detained, beaten and shot at, killing at least seven of them. The RAID report, based on research conducted between September 2019 and November 2020, alleged that security contractors and security employees of Petra's subsidiary Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) used excessive force. Petra Diamonds told Reuters a specialist external adviser was conducting an investigation and said an external consultancy had been appointed to assess WDL's management of its security. "The board of Petra Diamonds finds the…