Ever since, he has actively acquired other mining interests, although violence and unrest ravaged South Africa’s mining industry. As of January 2012, Assore Group’s shares have almost doubled, while other outfits, like the one of billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals, have struggled to keep turnover numbers above water. As a geologist, Sacco is also a fellow of the Institute of Directors and of the Geological Society of South Africa. Apart from being one of the richest and most influential South Africans, Desmond is married with two children.