Prospecting for Diamonds

Presented by:

Mina Shahpasandzadeh

Diamond Geology

They are transparent gems and the toughest

object known that are made up of naturally

occurring carbon.

Diamond creation requires high temperature

which explains the occurrence of diamonds in

volcanic regions.

Formation of the diamonds take millions of years

to happen under the earth.

Daryaye Noor (Sea of Light) Diamond

One of the Biggest Diamond in the world which is almost 36 gr

Diamonds have been discovered in many countries of the world

although the majority are in Africa (about 65%) (Linholm 34-67).

Diamond Mining Process

Diamond mining refers to the process of extraction of diamond ores from different locations. Some of the easiest naturally occurring ores are found on riverbeds which is the easiest form of Diamond occurrence to mine. (Dieter, 121).

The mining process is made up of tow major processes; alluvial and pipe.

Pipe Mining

The process involves extracting diamond ores from volcanic pipes which Kimbelite is the main bank of diamonds in the earths surface.

It is a solidified magma that is blue in color.

The occurrence of kimberlites is mainly in the mouths of dead volcanic

craters.

Most craters are filled with water to from crater lakes. The igneous rocks are mainly found under these lakes. This explains why most pipe mining processes occur under water.

Prospecting For Diamonds

Diatremes or kimberlite pipes are carrot like bodies. Some of these pipes have rich diamond content compared to others. The kimberlites releases diamonds as these rocks erode and after releasing the diamonds, the kimberlites weathers to form a yellow ground. It is easy to extract diamond from the yellow ground, but a fresh kimberlite rock has to be crushed to release the diamond.

On the yellow ground, some diamonds are carried into streams to form
alluvial deposits while others are washed away into seas and oceans (World diamond council 1-2).

Kimberlite Pipes

The Kimberly Big Hole

Alluvial Mining of Diamonds

primitive ways of mining

Alluvial Mining

This is an easier approach to diamond mining. The process target that top soil layer that has been exposed to erosion over a long period of time. This happens mostly in volcanic sites. To extract the diamonds an artificial dam that is generally referred to as a sand breaker is developed to control the water mas. (Bockstael,170). This is also referred to as the open mining method. The transfer of land masses from the target area is by excavators and trucks that ferry the soil to dumpsites. The rocks are then piled on trucks that carry them to the smelting sites The smelting process separates the ore from the unpolished diamond (Hartman, 213)

Diamond Cutting and Politioning

The stones are first carefully examined by the cutter. The round brilliant cut is the most popular due to its ability to give the best brilliance with minimum weight loss. The rough diamond is Brocken into two parts. In cleaving, the stones are cut along the grain.

Conclusion
Diamonds ultimately bring joy to people who

may not have an idea of how it is obtained and

the hard labor involved in the extraction of diamond. Diamonds hold a deep emotional meaning as they are considered as the world s most precious things.

References
Dieter, M, Materials science and process technology series, Washington: William Andrew, 2008 Hartman , J, SME Mining Engineering Handbook, Volume World diamond council, the diamond industry fact sheet retrieved from: http:www.worlddiamondcouncil.orgdownload/resources/dcuments/Fact%20Shee t%20(The%20Diamond%20Industry) Linholm, A A. L. Occurance, Mining & Recovery of Diamonds. Industrial Diamond Information Bureau, 1969. Print. Erlich, Edward I, and W D. Hausel. Diamond Deposits: Origin, Exploration, and London:

History of Discovery. Littleton, CO: Society

Exploration, 2002. Print.

for Mining, Metallurgy, and

Bockstael , B, Artisanal Diamond Mining: Perspectives and Challenges, Washington: Academia Press,2008