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Questions and Answers
Which method involves analyzing the chemical composition of samples when indicator minerals are not located?
Which method involves analyzing the chemical composition of samples when indicator minerals are not located?
What is the purpose of the microdiamond testing stage in diamond recovery?
What is the purpose of the microdiamond testing stage in diamond recovery?
Which sampling method provides information about diamond size, shape, clarity, and color based on processing a large quantity of earth?
Which sampling method provides information about diamond size, shape, clarity, and color based on processing a large quantity of earth?
What is assessed during the character sampling phase in the diamond recovery process?
What is assessed during the character sampling phase in the diamond recovery process?
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What is indicated when indicator minerals such as garnet or chromite are found during exploration?
What is indicated when indicator minerals such as garnet or chromite are found during exploration?
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Which method is commonly used for modern exploration of alluvial deposits?
Which method is commonly used for modern exploration of alluvial deposits?
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What is the primary characteristic of secondary diamond deposits?
What is the primary characteristic of secondary diamond deposits?
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Which of these statements best describes the location of most diamond-bearing kimberlites?
Which of these statements best describes the location of most diamond-bearing kimberlites?
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What is the significance of cratons in diamond exploration?
What is the significance of cratons in diamond exploration?
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What technique involves analyzing soil for evidence of diamonds in exploration?
What technique involves analyzing soil for evidence of diamonds in exploration?
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What typically happens to heavily included diamonds during the secondary deposition process?
What typically happens to heavily included diamonds during the secondary deposition process?
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What is a significant factor that influences the strength of river currents in the secondary deposition of diamonds?
What is a significant factor that influences the strength of river currents in the secondary deposition of diamonds?
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What is the estimated time frame to go from diamond exploration to the first mining of diamonds?
What is the estimated time frame to go from diamond exploration to the first mining of diamonds?
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What is the primary purpose of the sizing step in diamond recovery?
What is the primary purpose of the sizing step in diamond recovery?
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Which recovery method utilizes the property of diamonds to stick to grease?
Which recovery method utilizes the property of diamonds to stick to grease?
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In diamond mining, what is the significance of X-ray separation?
In diamond mining, what is the significance of X-ray separation?
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What distinguishes onshore marine mining from other mining methods?
What distinguishes onshore marine mining from other mining methods?
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Why has there been a shift from alluvial to primary deposits in diamond mining?
Why has there been a shift from alluvial to primary deposits in diamond mining?
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What is the primary mining method used in cave mining for diamonds?
What is the primary mining method used in cave mining for diamonds?
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What is a notable characteristic of alluvial mining in terms of diamond production?
What is a notable characteristic of alluvial mining in terms of diamond production?
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How does marine mining differ from traditional land mining methods?
How does marine mining differ from traditional land mining methods?
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What is the initial action taken when starting an open-pit mining operation?
What is the initial action taken when starting an open-pit mining operation?
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What is the primary purpose of horizontal tunnels in an underground mine?
What is the primary purpose of horizontal tunnels in an underground mine?
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What type of charge is typically used to blast ore in open-pit mining to minimize damage to diamonds?
What type of charge is typically used to blast ore in open-pit mining to minimize damage to diamonds?
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How do the characteristics of an open-pit mine change as it deepens?
How do the characteristics of an open-pit mine change as it deepens?
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What method is employed to create access for mining in an underground operation?
What method is employed to create access for mining in an underground operation?
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What is one method used in diamond exploration that involves the use of sound waves?
What is one method used in diamond exploration that involves the use of sound waves?
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What is the main purpose of character sampling in diamond exploration?
What is the main purpose of character sampling in diamond exploration?
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Which method is commonly used to look for tiny diamonds in a rock sample?
Which method is commonly used to look for tiny diamonds in a rock sample?
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What type of surveys are widely used in diamond exploration to detect variations in magnetic response?
What type of surveys are widely used in diamond exploration to detect variations in magnetic response?
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Which indicator mineral is NOT commonly associated with kimberlite or lamproite?
Which indicator mineral is NOT commonly associated with kimberlite or lamproite?
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What is the primary process used in cave mining for removing ore?
What is the primary process used in cave mining for removing ore?
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What is the role of the cyclone in the Dense Media Separation process?
What is the role of the cyclone in the Dense Media Separation process?
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How does the grease belt method assist in diamond recovery?
How does the grease belt method assist in diamond recovery?
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Which factor primarily differentiates alluvial mining from primary deposit mining?
Which factor primarily differentiates alluvial mining from primary deposit mining?
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What is a significant challenge of large-scale alluvial mining for larger companies?
What is a significant challenge of large-scale alluvial mining for larger companies?
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What technique is most commonly used for marine mining operations?
What technique is most commonly used for marine mining operations?
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What is the main advantage of using modified alluvial mining methods?
What is the main advantage of using modified alluvial mining methods?
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What is the primary mining technique used to extract diamonds from underground deposits?
What is the primary mining technique used to extract diamonds from underground deposits?
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What type of rocks are primarily associated with diamond formation?
What type of rocks are primarily associated with diamond formation?
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What is the most common source of blue color in diamonds?
What is the most common source of blue color in diamonds?
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Which of the following igneous rocks is much more commonly associated with diamonds?
Which of the following igneous rocks is much more commonly associated with diamonds?
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What is the primary condition needed for diamonds to form in mantle keels?
What is the primary condition needed for diamonds to form in mantle keels?
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How were diamonds primarily delivered to the Earth's surface?
How were diamonds primarily delivered to the Earth's surface?
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What characterizes carbonado diamonds?
What characterizes carbonado diamonds?
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Which layer of the Earth is referred to as the 'crust'?
Which layer of the Earth is referred to as the 'crust'?
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What is the primary geological process that brings diamonds to the surface?
What is the primary geological process that brings diamonds to the surface?
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What term describes the large, ancient, stable parts of Earth's landmasses?
What term describes the large, ancient, stable parts of Earth's landmasses?
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Which of the following statements distinguishes metamorphic rock?
Which of the following statements distinguishes metamorphic rock?
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What is a key factor in the formation of most diamond deposits?
What is a key factor in the formation of most diamond deposits?
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What best defines the geothermal gradient?
What best defines the geothermal gradient?
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What is the primary component of carbonate compounds?
What is the primary component of carbonate compounds?
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Study Notes
Diamond Exploration & Mining
- Primary Deposits: Diamonds found in kimberlite or lamproite pipes that brought them to the surface.
- Secondary Deposits: Diamonds found outside pipes, often in alluvial (river) or marine deposits. Secondary deposits are typically richer in higher-quality diamonds due to erosion.
- Diamond Exploration Process: Takes over 10 years, beginning with searching for deposits and culminating in mining. Clifford's rule notes that kimberlites occur on cratons. Scientists now look at areas around cratons, too. Sound waves were initially used to locate diamond deposits based on how density affects wave speed. This was superseded by other methods like gravity surveys (variations in ground density to locate pipes), magnetic & electromagnetic surveys (sending/detecting energy waves to map underground rock formations) and seismic surveys (similar to magnetic and electromagnetic surveys, but using sound waves).
- Locating Deposits: Indicator minerals like garnet, spinel, diopside, olivine, ilmenite, chromite, & perovskite can signal nearby kimberlite or lamproite pipes. Geochemical testing of rock, soil or vegetation is also used, for example examining chemical composition.
- Testing Deposit Viability: Samples are taken to test for the presence and type of diamonds, size, shape, clarity and color. Microdiamond testing analyzes cores from primary deposits or from sediments for secondary deposits. Character sampling assesses 500 tons of earth to determine ore grade (diamond concentration per 100 tons of rock). Bulk sampling of 5,000-10,000 tons is used for accurate evaluation.
- Primary Deposit Mining: Digging out materials around the pipe to get the diamonds.
- Open Pit Mining: Removing overburden (rock/soil) above the pipe, blasting the ore, and then excavating the remaining material.
- Underground Mining: Tunneling into and around the pipe to access the ore. Drifts are drilled to extract ore.
- Diamond Recovery: Ore is reduced in size for easier processing. Dense media separation is used to separate diamond-bearing ore from lighter waste materials. Grease belt and X-ray separation are other recovery methods that rely on different properties of diamonds vs the other minerals mixed in with the ore.
Major Diamond Sources
- Africa: Major producers, including Botswana with the Orapa and Jwaneng mines and Russia.
- Australia: Had major diamond production (Argyle), but production drastically decreased starting in 2020.
- Americas: Canada is an important producer with the Ekati and Diavik mines. The US has low economic significance in diamond mining.
- Eurasia: India was once a main producer, but Russia has taken a lead role.
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Description
This quiz covers the key aspects of diamond exploration and mining, including primary and secondary deposits. It details the exploration process, methods for locating diamond deposits, and insights into the geological formations involved. Test your knowledge on diamond mining techniques and terminology.
