Podcast
Questions and Answers
What method is most commonly used for underground diamond mining?
What method is most commonly used for underground diamond mining?
Which region is known for having the largest marine diamond deposit in the world?
Which region is known for having the largest marine diamond deposit in the world?
What are the three main steps of diamond recovery?
What are the three main steps of diamond recovery?
Which statement about diamond production is correct?
Which statement about diamond production is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do secondary diamond deposits require more bulk sampling than primary deposits?
Why do secondary diamond deposits require more bulk sampling than primary deposits?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary method used to separate diamonds from lighter materials?
What is the primary method used to separate diamonds from lighter materials?
Signup and view all the answers
What technique involves analyzing the size, shape, clarity, and color of diamonds based on a sample of 500 tons of rock?
What technique involves analyzing the size, shape, clarity, and color of diamonds based on a sample of 500 tons of rock?
Signup and view all the answers
In which type of deposit are gems found in the rock that brought them to the surface?
In which type of deposit are gems found in the rock that brought them to the surface?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'ore grade' refer to?
What does the term 'ore grade' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which method utilizes a grease affinity to separate diamonds from other materials?
Which method utilizes a grease affinity to separate diamonds from other materials?
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes a quantity of stones, often of similar size and quality, prepared for sale or storage?
What term describes a quantity of stones, often of similar size and quality, prepared for sale or storage?
Signup and view all the answers
What mining technique involves drilling beneath the surface to collect ore as it falls?
What mining technique involves drilling beneath the surface to collect ore as it falls?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the geographic foundation called where geologists specifically search for primary diamond deposits?
What is the geographic foundation called where geologists specifically search for primary diamond deposits?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of rock does not primarily contribute to diamond formation?
Which type of rock does not primarily contribute to diamond formation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main reason for the blue color in diamonds?
What is the main reason for the blue color in diamonds?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of diamond primarily crystallizes from metallic melts?
Which type of diamond primarily crystallizes from metallic melts?
Signup and view all the answers
Which igneous rock is much more common for transporting diamonds to the surface?
Which igneous rock is much more common for transporting diamonds to the surface?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of carbonado diamonds in relation to other forms of diamonds?
What is the characteristic of carbonado diamonds in relation to other forms of diamonds?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary geological process that delivers diamonds to the surface?
What is the primary geological process that delivers diamonds to the surface?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term describes diamonds that formed deeper than 410 km beneath the earth's surface?
Which term describes diamonds that formed deeper than 410 km beneath the earth's surface?
Signup and view all the answers
Which layer of the Earth is directly above the core?
Which layer of the Earth is directly above the core?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for chemical changes in minerals and rocks caused by external material introductions?
What is the term for chemical changes in minerals and rocks caused by external material introductions?
Signup and view all the answers
Which component is NOT part of the Earth's basic structure?
Which component is NOT part of the Earth's basic structure?
Signup and view all the answers
Which geological feature is a deep vertical formation resulting from a kimberlite or lamproite eruption?
Which geological feature is a deep vertical formation resulting from a kimberlite or lamproite eruption?
Signup and view all the answers
What process is essential for diamond formation when two tectonic plates interact?
What process is essential for diamond formation when two tectonic plates interact?
Signup and view all the answers
What geographic areas are primarily associated with most diamond deposits?
What geographic areas are primarily associated with most diamond deposits?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Key Terms
- Alluvial Deposit: Gems eroded from their source rock, concentrated in rivers/streams.
- Bulk Sampling: Large-scale rock sampling (5,000-10,000 tons).
- Cave Mining: Underground technique—drilling, loosening, collecting ore.
- Character Sampling: Testing diamond size, shape, clarity, color (500 tons).
- Dense Media Separation: Separates diamonds from lighter materials.
- Drift: Horizontal tunnel through a diamond pipe.
- Geochemical Testing: Analyzing sample chemical composition.
- Grease Belt: Mechanism using diamond's grease affinity to separate.
- Indicator Minerals: Minerals forming with diamonds, brought to surface.
- Marine Deposit: Secondary deposit formed by river/stream transport to shoreline/ocean.
- Microdiamond Testing: Screening for tiny diamonds in a sample.
- Ore Grade: Diamond concentration in a deposit (measured in 100 tons).
- Overburden: Rock/soil covering a diamond-bearing orebody.
- Parcel: Quantity of stones, potentially similar size/quality, packaged for sale/storage.
- Primary Deposit: Gem source rock deposit.
- Recovery: Separating gems from host rock/sediment.
- Secondary Deposit: Gem deposit away from primary source.
- Shaft: Vertical tunnel to access personnel, equipment, etc.
- Sizing: Reducing diamond-bearing ore to smaller pieces.
- X-Ray Separation: Using X-rays to detect diamonds, air jet to remove.
Key Concepts
- Primary vs Secondary Deposits: Most mined diamonds come from primary deposits, but secondary deposits are more concentrated in gem-quality diamonds.
- Diamond Deposit Search: Geologists focus on cratons for primary deposits, and rivers/streams/estuaries for secondary deposits.
- Diamond Survey Methods: Various surveys help geologists narrow diamond search areas. Secondary deposits require more bulk sampling to assess potential.
- Diamond Mining Methods: Open-pit mining removes ore from large surface openings; cave mining is a common underground method.
- Diamond Sizing, Concentration & Recovery: Three steps—crushing and scrubbing for sizing, followed by concentrating, and recovering.
- Diamond Production Regions: Africa has the most diverse diamond sources. A significant portion of the world's diamonds are mined in four main regions.
- Modern Diamond Mining Shift: Technology is causing a shift away from secondary towards primary diamond mining.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on various diamond mining techniques and key terms related to the industry. This quiz covers essential concepts such as alluvial deposits, cave mining, and geochemical testing. Enhance your understanding of diamond extraction methods and their specific terminology.
