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Diamond Mines
Natural diamond sources
have been discovered in approximately 35 different countries around the
World across several continents. Diamonds reach the surface of the earth
via volcanic pipes or via placer / alluvial deposits. Kimberlite is the
name of the blue rock that occurs in ancient volcanic pipes and is the
most common host of diamonds. Sometimes the Kimberlite host rock is
washed away by streams and rivers and diamonds are deposited as sediment
in the stream sands in 'placer deposits' which also called Alluvial
deposits.
Areas containing Diamond Mines
Diamonds, and
consequently mines, are found in areas where there have been volcanic
activity or erosion and where natural elements such as streams, rivers
and even glaciers might have taken them.
Diamond Mines - Strip Mining and Placer or Alluvial mining
Strip Mining is the process of mining thin seams near the surface by
stripping in successive layers. Placer mining (pronounced "plass-er")
is the process of mining (by panning or dredging) alluvial (waterborne)
or even glacial deposits of diamonds without tunnelling.
Definition of Diamond Mines
The purpose of the
mines is the extraction of valuable diamonds from the earth. The mines
are plant operations built to extract diamond crystal from either
underground or from the surface. When diamonds are extracted
underground, the mine needs a system of excavations in the rock to gain
access to the kimberlite rock. There are a limited number of
commercially viable diamond mines currently operating in the world which
use tunnelling and excavation methods. However, diamonds are also mined
using the Placer or Alluvial mining methods.
Where are Diamond
Mines located?
Natural diamond sources have been discovered in
approximately 35 different countries around the World across several
continents leading to the establishment of diamond mines. The diamond
mines in Russia, Botswana and South Africa are the world’s major gem
quality diamond producers and the diamond mines in Australia is the major industrial diamond
producers.
African Diamond
Mines
The diamond mines in
Africa are located in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Angola, Tanzania and Sierra Leone. The civil
unrest in West Africa has lead to the illegal trade of diamonds to
finance wars - the infamous Blood Diamonds.
The type of mining in Sierre Leone and Liberia is using the
Alluvial method by sifting through river-bank sand and gravel. The names
of the African diamond mines are as follows:
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Angola - The Catoca, Fucauma and Luarica diamond mines
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Botswana - The
Damtshaa, Jwaneng, Letlhakane and Orapa diamond mines
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South Africa - The
Baken, Cullinan (previously "Premier mine"), Finsch,
Kimberley, Koffiefontein, the Oaks and the Venetia diamond mines
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Congo - The
Kampangala mine
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Zimbabwe - Murowa
mine
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Tanzania - The
Williamson mine
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Sierra Leone - Koidu-Sefadu mines, Diminco Mine, Magna Egoli
alluvial mine (aka Zimmi property mine) Koidu Open Pit Mines
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Liberia - Bea Mountains, Grand Cape, Kpo Range Project, Nimba
Diamond Concession
Russian Diamond
Mines
The names of the
Russian mines are as follows:
Indian Diamond
Mines
Most all of the
Diamond mines in India were depleted centuries ago. The majority of the
diamond mines and deposits in India were alluvial as opposed to
kimberlite. The most prolific area was in Golconda which yielded some of
the worlds most famous diamonds including the
Kohinoor Diamond,
Hope Diamond, the
Regent Diamond, the
Sancy Diamond and the
Florentine Diamond. There is only
one active diamond mine left in India which is located at Panna in the
central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Diamond Mines in
Canada
Diamonds were first
discovered in Canada at the Lac De Gras area in the Northwest
Territories of Canada during September 1991. Canadian diamond mines can
be found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. Click
Canadian Diamonds for more facts and
detailed information. The names of the Canadian mines are as follows:
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Diavik
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Ekati
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Gahcho Kue
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Jericho
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Snap Lake
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Victor
Australian
Diamond Mines
The names of the
Australian mines are as follows:
US Diamond
Mines
Arkansas, Wyoming and Colorado are the only states to have a
verifiable source of diamonds. For additional facts and information
click the following link for US
Diamonds. There is only one mine in the United States which is
located in Arkansas and called the Crater of Diamond State Park.
Diamond Mines
Diamond Mines are a fascinating subject. This page was designed
to clarify where they can be found around the world, in the United
States and the meaning of Kimberlite, Placer
and Alluvial mines.
Facts - Information - Guide - US - Names List - Africa - Russia - India
- Canada - Australia
Names - List
Kimberlite - Placer
deposits - Alluvial deposits
Diamond Mines
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