There is a natural association between love, romance and diamonds, and it spans across the globe. From Tiffany and Co. marketing its trademark style and quality of engagement rings to the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds are Forever, the natural association has continued to grow throughout pop culture.However, there is also the environmental aspect of diamond mining. Although diamonds were discovered in the Golconda region of India as early as 6,000 years ago, only in recent decades has environmental impact been integrated into the diamond extraction process.
Environmental concerns have been mounting in recent years, and a larger focus on establishing earth-friendly processes in the diamond industry has also been growing. The industry used to be shrouded in unregulated mining with extreme eco system disruption and chemical contamination. Today, the diamond mining industry is trying to reach an environmentally conscious mining process that will encourage natural repair and re-growth to mined areas.
Known as the hardest organically formed material, diamonds have played a valuable part in the world market for decades. Created by carbon materials at high pressure and low temperature, diamonds have been typically mined by two methods.
In most places, diamonds are concentrated in a volcanic pathway called a “pipe.” Open-pit mining is used to uncover diamonds which lie deep in the earth’s soil. Diamond mines with high enough concentration of diamonds to make the mining process a profitable effort, will typically be found in the shape of a funnel. In other words, the highest concentration of diamonds will be found closer to the earth’s surface over a wider area, with the concentration and area slightly decreasing with depth – creating the shape of a funnel.
Extraction of diamonds mined in this manner requires expansive excavation, with over one million tons of earth being moved each year in mines around the world. With that in mind, it is difficult to minimize the impact on the surrounding ecosystem, but mining companies are doing their best to balance wildlife with market demand.
The second type of diamond deposits are known as alluvial deposits. This type of deposit is found in water, typically waterways, riverbeds and ocean shores. Diamonds are not brought up to the surface as in pipe deposits, rather they are washed downhill from pipe deposit erosion and weathering.
Mining companies from around the world now participate in an environmental agreement to replace the displaced earth, minimize chemical processing and properly dispose of contaminated water. Although it is impossible to return the land to its original state, 71 countries now participate actively in upholding environmentally friendly mining techniques. Although in some countries, it is difficult to force policy adherence, the industry continues to provide incentives for upholding the agreement.
Diamonds will eventually dwindle as natural resources are tapped to capacity in the areas currently being mined in Africa, North America, Oceania and Asia. It is the major concern to return land to its natural state as quickly as possible when mining capacity has been reached.
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