The Natural Wealth of Africa: Diamonds

Africa is one of the biggest producers of diamonds. In fact, many countries that make up this continent are counting on diamond trading and manufacturing to be the major source of income for their economy.But why are there so many diamonds in the African soil? The formation of diamonds in Africa is the same as that in other countries. The rocks that contain diamonds are brought nearer to the surface through a series of volcanic eruptions. The magma that the volcanoes spit out comes from the very region where these diamonds are formed, which is commonly referred to as a volcanic pipe. This downward crater contains materials that are brought to the surface due to constant action of the volcano. However, they are not ejected. The magma, when cooled, becomes an igneous rock known as lamproite or kimberlite. These don’t contain any diamond, but they can allow those rocks that do to be pushed to the surface. Africa, fortunately, has kimberlite deposits scattered all over the continent.

On the other hand, there are instances when diamonds are brought from one place to another by water and wind. For example, they may travel from the volcanic pipe into seashores. These kinds of diamonds are alluvial diamonds.

The concept of alluvial diamond mining is applied in Orange River and Richtersveld National Park in the province of Northern Cape. They have an active diamond mining industry as there are several diamonds that have been washed downstream. They are from a kimberlite that formed thousands of years ago.

Other articles of interest:

• Who is Barnett Barnato?
• Where Were Diamonds First Found?
• Diamond Mines
• Where Do Diamonds Come From?