Diamond Mining
The Nature of Diamonds
The worlds diamond production is worth around $8 billion a year. Gemstone diamonds are recognized for they're beauty. These are the diamonds that are found on jewelry. Industrial diamonds are used as tools. Diamonds are the strongest substances on earth and are used for precision cutting.
The Discovery of Diamonds
Kimberlite rock is the source of diamonds and they exist in enormous masses of ancient rock called cratons. Kimberlite is a very soft rock and because of this the glaciers eroded it and left massive holes in the earth that became lakes. Underneath these lakes is very diamonds were found. Geologist located rocks which were known to always be near diamonds by using machines and it led them to an area called Lac De Gras. Here they searched underneath lake after lake until they finally found a kimberlite pipe. Here they found the diamonds.
What is Happening in Diamond Mining in Canada
Diamond mining in Canada is becoming such a big deal that they cant afford the workers to have to travel all the way to the mines in the morning. They now have facilities right next to the mines where the miners sleep and live. They also create all kinds of offices and processing plants all around the mine so that all the work can be done close by. This can all be seen at the Ekati mine. It started off as a open pit mine because this was a very effective way of getting large amounts of diamonds out of the ground. However, running an open pit mine began to become more expensive than the revenue they were making from the diamonds. So, they decided to switch to an underground mining facility.
Diamond Mining Affects on the Environment
Diamond mining creates a very small amount of pollution. Most of the waste rock is so stuck to the diamonds that it can only be removed by machines in the factory's. Because of this diamond mining is the most environmentally friendly mining association. Some of the negative affects it has on the environment are the amount of carbon dioxide the machines release and it causes erosion.
Next Steps
Many diamond mines are being created in Canada now due to the success in Ekati. Also now every diamond that is legally sold by Canada has an ID tracker on it to track where it is and how they're being moved around and a small Canadian logo engraved in the side of it.
The Nature of Diamonds
The worlds diamond production is worth around $8 billion a year. Gemstone diamonds are recognized for they're beauty. These are the diamonds that are found on jewelry. Industrial diamonds are used as tools. Diamonds are the strongest substances on earth and are used for precision cutting.
The Discovery of Diamonds
Kimberlite rock is the source of diamonds and they exist in enormous masses of ancient rock called cratons. Kimberlite is a very soft rock and because of this the glaciers eroded it and left massive holes in the earth that became lakes. Underneath these lakes is very diamonds were found. Geologist located rocks which were known to always be near diamonds by using machines and it led them to an area called Lac De Gras. Here they searched underneath lake after lake until they finally found a kimberlite pipe. Here they found the diamonds.
What is Happening in Diamond Mining in Canada
Diamond mining in Canada is becoming such a big deal that they cant afford the workers to have to travel all the way to the mines in the morning. They now have facilities right next to the mines where the miners sleep and live. They also create all kinds of offices and processing plants all around the mine so that all the work can be done close by. This can all be seen at the Ekati mine. It started off as a open pit mine because this was a very effective way of getting large amounts of diamonds out of the ground. However, running an open pit mine began to become more expensive than the revenue they were making from the diamonds. So, they decided to switch to an underground mining facility.
Diamond Mining Affects on the Environment
Diamond mining creates a very small amount of pollution. Most of the waste rock is so stuck to the diamonds that it can only be removed by machines in the factory's. Because of this diamond mining is the most environmentally friendly mining association. Some of the negative affects it has on the environment are the amount of carbon dioxide the machines release and it causes erosion.
Next Steps
Many diamond mines are being created in Canada now due to the success in Ekati. Also now every diamond that is legally sold by Canada has an ID tracker on it to track where it is and how they're being moved around and a small Canadian logo engraved in the side of it.