De Beers has suspended all major mining operations in South Africa due to a major national power shortage, De Beers announced on Friday.

At the request of power company Eskom, De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) has ceased production at the Cullinan, Finsch, Kimberley, Manaqualand, The Oaks and Venetia mines.

Mining operations will be managed in a state of operational readiness to continue at a later stage. Therefore, power consumption at these venues has been reduced to "survival load," meaning that only essential ventilation, pumping, lighting and all other safety-related services will continue to avoid risk to employees and property.

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