Diamond Mining

By Travis Stephenson


Diamonds are formed deep within the earth's surface under intense heat and pressure. They are then pushed closer to the earth's surface through deep source volcanic eruption. From here the diamonds need to be mined. These mining techniques tend to differ from location to location but the general gist is usually the same.

Each process depends on which country the mine is in. The mining process is labor intensive and is, sadly, often overlooked.

Marine mining, for instance, is the newest advances in mining for diamonds. This type of mining can be done by vertically drilling into the ground; this is done by using an enormous drill to dig deep into the sea bed and a pipe to suck up deposits that may carry precious gems up with any other debris.

It can also be done horizontally by using remote controlled sea bed crawlers to suck up what is on the surface of the sea bed. The diamonds are filtered out of the silt and debris and then cleansed.

The oldest form of diamond mining is called hard rock mining. This method is done vertically, by using various pieces of machinery to dig tunnels and burrows into the earth. Rooms are then set up, being help in place by timber rock pillars. Miners will then use traditional digging and searching methods to find precious gems.

Artisanal mining is a general form of panning. Many people in poor countries will use pans to sift through debris on the water bed in search of gemstones or gold. This is also a very old method of mining, but is one of the more prominent diamond mining tools.

The mining process is often forgotten and overlooked when diamonds are purchased for your loved ones. These labor-intensive processes are often why the price tags on diamonds are so hefty. It might be something you want to keep in mind the next time you are shopping for a diamond for that special someone.




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