Diamond Mining

Diamonds are an interesting mineral that have taken the world by storm and are highly valued and respected gemstones. They are formed well below the surface, and through natural occurrences, have been brought to the surface to be discovered. The formation of pipes of volcanic rock are responsible for the diamonds reaching the surface, and these pipes, named kimberlite, are mined by blasting the rock and separating the ore from the diamonds. This process is dangerous and risky as many of the kimberlite pipes in existence are not economically viable and do not provide enough diamonds to continue mining. The ore is then either put on grease tables or on belts where x-rays determine the location of diamonds.

The grease table method is an older way of separation that uses the diamonds natural properties to help the miners separate the diamonds from the ore. Diamonds are attracted to grease naturally, which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to keep diamond jewelry clean. In this process, water flushes the ore away, which leaves the diamonds stuck to the grease on multi-level tables. This grease is then slowly melted away, which leaves the diamonds to be sorted and sent to be cut and polished. The other way the diamonds are separated is with the use of x-rays, which are shot through the ore. When the x-ray exposes the diamonds natural fluorescence, an air jet jettisons the diamond into a separate compartment. Although this is a more expensive process, it is much more efficient and accurate.


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