Diamond Exploration and Mining

 

Modern exploration uses highly sophisticated technologies to determine the economic viability of deposits. Examples include airborne surveys. Geophysicists carry out the Ground Geophysical surveys, which are used as a follow-up tool to detect and improve definition of anomalies associated with kimberlite intrusions. Most exploration teams have one or more geophysicists helping to manage the application of appropriate geophysical techniques and interpretation of data. Frequently used geophysical methods include:

• Magnetics (both airborne and ground)

• Airborne multi-spectral analysis (AMS)

• Various suites of electro-magnetics

• Gravity

• Radiometric

• Seismic

Approximately 5,000 kimberlites are currently known in the world, but only 100 or so of these contain sufficient Diamonds to be of economic interest. In most of those deposits that are of interest, Diamond is present in concentrations of less than about one part in five million. Kimberlite, alluvial and marine mining use different techniques. Kimberlite mines are underground or open-pit. Alluvial stones may be mined commercially or on a small scale. Marine alluvial mining involves specialized ships. Diamonds are mined on all continents. Once Diamonds are detected, there are different types of mining operations used to extract them depending on the environment in which they are found. The majority of Diamonds are extracted on an industrial scale by open pit mining and underground mining. Open pit mining is excavation to reach Diamonds on the surface of the ground. Underground mining is excavation up to and, in some instances, over 1km below ground.