The mining process involves the extraction of valuable materials from the earth, usually from an ore body. This is how diamonds come to us, since they cannot be grown agriculturally. Simulated diamonds can be created artificially in a factory but for natural diamonds mining is the only option. Miners are looking for diamond ore, a volume of rock that contains components of diamond materials. In fact, only a fraction of diamond ore that is mined consists of true diamonds.In the mining process, the ore must be crushed for the diamond components to be collected. However, this is a difficult process and requires extra care so that larger diamond pieces aren’t totally destroyed. Modern technology has improved diamond mining through the use of X-ray fluorescence. This allows miners to find diamonds in the diamond-rich density fraction and sort the diamonds by density. Before X-ray fluorescence came available, separating work was performed using grease belts. Why? Because miners noticed that diamonds stuck to grease more often than all other minerals found inside the ore.
A History of Diamond Production
Diamond mining originated in India, where only alluvial deposits were found, meaning material deposited by running water. For numerous centuries, India led the world’s diamond production, from at least the 9th century B.C. to the mid-1700s of the Common Era. Of course, hundreds of years of mining had taken its toll on India’s diamond potential, and by the 18th century India was toppled as the diamond capital of the world. The new heir was Brazil, which began diamond mining operations in the early 1700s.
Mining for primary deposits is a relatively new type of mining, as this type of operation was started in the late 1800s, in the diamond fields of South Africa. Now over a hundred years removed, production of primary deposits has increased. Since approximately 1870, about 4.5 billion carats have been mined worldwide. About 20% of that massive number has actually been mined in the last five years. In the last decade, nine new mines have been opened, with four new mines in development.
Promising New Territory
The most promising new territories for diamond mining include Angola, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Russia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Russia is currently one of the most diamond-rich nations, as it has produced nearly 1/5th of all diamond output worldwide. Australia comes close, not in volume, but in having the richest diamondiferous pipe. Production has peaked to 42 metric tons. Other areas known for their diamond minds include Siberia and Brazil. The most popular searches are for kimberlite and lamproite pipes, as these usually provide the most diamond output.
How about within the United States? There have been diamond mining operations in Arkansas, Colorado and Montana. Recently, miners in Montana discovered a microscopic diamond which eventually led to bulk sampling of kimberlite pipes. Perhaps this will lead to a new US diamond mine, if the study of these pipes proves that there are profitable diamond deposits there.
Despite the intensity of production, the number of commercially viable diamond mines in the world is somewhat limited. Most diamond mining is from alluvial deposits, meaning diamonds that have been eroded from the ground and deposited by weather and water. Traveling through the United States, you would be more likely to find a non-commercial diamond mine, than a great number of commercial mines. For example, there is the Crater of Diamonds State Park, an Arkansas State Park in Pike County, Arkansas open to the public. This is classified as a non-commercial site, though it continues to provide diamonds to visitors. In fact, over 25,000 diamonds have been found by the park’s diamond enthusiasts!
The Future of Diamond Mining
Some diamond experts speculate that Canada could be the next big thing in diamond manufacturing, particularly in the Northwest Territories. They say that Canada could be producing 15% of the world’s diamond output in another two years. Why this reasoning? African mines are being exhausted while Russian mine production is largely chaotic. With notable mine operations having started and waiting to start, including projects like Ekati and Diavik, Canada could become a major player in the near future. Canadian diamond companies are playing it smart by joining operations with experienced miners. Only time will tell who the next major name in diamond mining is.
Until then, rest assured knowing that when you handle an authentic diamond, you are holding one of the true natural treasures of Planet Earth. These natural beauties are estimated to be anywhere from 1-3 billion years old by the time they are discovered. No wonder diamonds are exceptionally rare, and even flawed diamonds and very tiny diamonds can sell for a lot of money. Though the process of harvesting diamonds is quite ugly, and most diamonds discovered never even make it to the jewelry store, the finished product remains captivating. Diamonds are pieces of human history, sparkling and brilliant.
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