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IdNewsDiamonds. How Diamonds Are Mined – Diamonds have long been symbols of beauty, luxury, and everlasting love. Yet, many people seldom think about how these precious stones make their way from deep within the earth to the jewelry stores and ultimately onto our fingers. Unlike synthetic or fake diamonds, natural diamonds are extracted through a process that requires advanced techniques and heavy machinery. There are two main methods of diamond mining used today: Pipe Mining and Alluvial Mining.
Pipe Mining
Pipe mining is the most common method used to recover diamonds from deep within the earth. This process targets volcanic pipes, also known as kimberlite pipes, which are natural geological formations created by ancient volcanic eruptions. These eruptions brought diamonds from deep within the Earth’s mantle to the surface, trapping them in the kimberlite rock.
To extract the diamonds, shafts are drilled next to these pipes, and horizontal tunnels are driven deep into the earth to access the richest parts of the deposit. Rather than sorting diamonds at the mining site, workers extract large chunks of rock containing diamonds, which are then transported to a screening plant. At the plant, the material is crushed, washed, and separated to isolate the diamonds from the surrounding rock.
Alluvial Mining
Alluvial mining is a method used to recover diamonds that have been naturally displaced from their original sources by rivers and streams over millions of years. These diamonds are found in riverbeds, floodplains, and coastal beaches, having been carried away by water from their original kimberlite source.
The process begins by diverting water and building walls to hold it back. Bulldozers are used to remove layers of sand and soil until the diamond-bearing gravel is reached. This gravel, which may contain diamonds, is then loaded into trucks and taken to a screening plant, where it undergoes washing and sorting similar to pipe mining.
Final Thoughts
Mining natural diamonds is a labor-intensive and technically complex process. Whether through pipe mining deep underground or alluvial mining along ancient riverbeds, the journey of a diamond from the earth to a piece of jewelry is nothing short of extraordinary. These processes ensure that the dazzling stones we admire and cherish are not just symbols of love but also remarkable products of nature and human ingenuity.
