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GEMS April – Mines of Diamond

by Administrator on Apr.19, 2010, under GEMS

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With second post of Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) for April month, we would be posting about Diamond mines. Also showcasing a very beautiful 3 stone ring by sirtrentalot. If you would like to share anything on Diamonds, please email us at info@jewelstruck.com

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/3119544820_6c0b74b735.jpg

Three stone ring with channel setting

Continuing with Diamond mines – with a value of about 9 billion USD, approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg) of diamonds are mined annually. About 49% of them come from central and southern Africa, with Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia being other significant sources.

  • As said above Africa is the largest source of Diamonds currently. Diamond extraction from primary deposits (kimberlites and lamproites) started in the 1870s after the discovery of the Diamond Fields in South Africa. Other than South Africa, diamonds mines are located in Angola, Botswana, Zimbawe and Tanzania.
  • Historically diamonds were found only in alluvial deposits in southern India led the world in diamond production from the time of their discovery in approximately the 9th century BC to the mid-18th century AD, but the commercial potential of these sources had been exhausted by the late 18th century.The current Indian mines include Golkunda, Kollur, Panna and Bunder project.
  • Russia is one other major source of commercially viable diamond deposits, mostly in Sakha Republic, for example Mir pipe and Udachnaya pipe.
  • Northern and Western Australia have good diamond deposits as well. Two of the big mines there include, Argyle and Merlin Diamond mine.
  • Some north western teritorries of Canada and Brazil also have commercial deposits used right now for mining.

Controversial sources (Blood Diamonds) – Some revolutionary groups in central and west African countries (which are politically unstable), have taken control over various Diamond mines. They use the proceeds of diamond sales via this process to find their operations. Diamonds coming illegally via such route are termed ‘Blood Diamonds’. In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and human rights abuses in central and western Africa, the United Nations, the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the Kimberley Process in 2002. The Kimberley Process aims to ensure that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups. This is done by requiring diamond-producing countries to provide proof that the money they make from selling the diamonds is not used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities.

So this was all about Diamond mines and sources, we will be back with next post on Diamonds for GEMS series sooner. Again, if you have any ideas, or you want to share anything, do email us at info@jewelstruck.com

Image credit :- sirtrentalot

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