Diamond Mining
How Diamonds Are Mined – From Earth to Jewellery
Extracting diamonds from the Earth is a multi-stage process that includes exploration, extraction, processing, and sorting. Diamonds are found in both primary deposits—such as kimberlite pipes—and secondary deposits, including alluvial gravels and marine sediments.
Kimberlite Pipe Mining (Primary Deposits)
Kimberlite pipes are deep, carrot-shaped volcanic formations that can contain diamond-rich ore. Two primary methods are used to mine these deposits:
Open-pit mining involves removing surface layers to access shallow ore bodies.
Underground mining uses shafts and tunnels to reach deeper diamond-bearing rock.
Alluvial Mining (Secondary Deposits)
Alluvial mining recovers diamonds from loose sediments—gravel, sand, or clay—that have been transported and deposited by water over time. This method is common in riverbeds, floodplains, and coastal regions.
Diamonds recovered from Namibian alluvial deposits are often of exceptional quality. Only the most durable stones survive natural transport, making these diamonds especially well-formed and clear. In contrast, diamonds from less weathered sources, such as Russia, may include more inclusions.
Marine Mining
Marine mining retrieves diamonds from the ocean floor. Specialised vessels equipped with suction systems or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) extract diamond-rich sediments from offshore deposits. This method is particularly advanced and used extensively along the Namibian coast.
Leading Diamond-Producing Countries
The world’s major diamond-producing countries include:
Russia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Australia, Canada, and Angola.
These nations are key players in the global diamond supply chain and are known for consistently producing high-quality stones that meet the standards of both luxury and investment markets.
