24 Questions
What factors need to be considered to determine if a diamond deposit is economically viable to mine?
Geographical and political accessibility, climate, depth and composition of overburden, clearance of area
What method is used to mine primary diamond deposits by producing stepped terraces?
Open cast (open pit) mining
What is the weight of diamonds contained within a given quantity of ore called?
Grade
What is the main consideration for Canadian mines in terms of receiving supplies?
Can only receive supplies in winter while ground is frozen
What becomes narrower as an open-cast diamond mine pit gets deeper?
The pipe itself
What does tropical-coastal mining require vigilance to protect?
Sand seawalls
What is the process of liberating ore by drilling and low-impact explosions in open-cast mining called?
Ore liberation
What is the method used to mine primary diamond deposits that involves the removal of overburden and cutting steps to produce terraces?
(Open pit) mining
What is the term used for the weight of diamonds contained within a given quantity of ore?
Grade
What is the main consideration for Canadian mines in terms of receiving supplies?
Can only receive supplies in winter while ground is frozen.
What becomes narrower as an open-cast diamond mine pit gets deeper?
The pipe itself.
What does tropical-coastal mining require vigilance to protect?
Sand seawalls.
What is the chambering technique in underground mining?
Creating a series of parallel tunnels and blasting the ceiling
At what depth does underground mining become more economical?
Around 300m
What mining method involves leaving draw points for the ore to fall into?
Block caving
What is the consequence of illegal mining mentioned in the text?
Not obtaining 100% of potential diamonds
What type of deposits can be mined as 'dry' or 'wet'?
Alluvial deposits
What does the term 'run-of-mine' refer to?
The production range of rough diamonds from a mine, including all qualities
What mining method is a combination of chambering and block caving?
Sub-level caving
Which mining method involves excavating ancient river beds or diverting rivers?
'Dry' alluvial mining
'Coastal alluvial mining' involves removing overburden and excavating which type of rock?
'Wet' rock
'Alluvial deposits' have already undergone liberation, but may still require further processing using methods such as?
'Density separation' or alternative processes like grease tables and belts
Which mining method involves creating a series of parallel tunnels and blasting the ceiling to collapse the pipe rock above?
Chambering technique
What type of deposits have a lower grade but high value output and include river, coastal, marine, and offshore deposits?
Alluvial deposits
Study Notes
- Underground mining becomes more economical at a depth of around 300m.
- Chambering technique involves creating a series of parallel tunnels and blasting the ceiling to collapse the pipe rock above. Labour intensive and not commonly used.
- Block caving method involves excavating parallel tunnels (scraper drifts) under the kimberlite and leaving draw points for the ore to fall into.
- Sub-level caving is a combination of chambering and block caving used towards the 'roots' of a diamond-bearing pipe, making it a relatively quick process.
- Alluvial deposits have a lower grade but high value output and include river, coastal, marine, and offshore deposits.
- Alluvial deposits can be mined as 'dry' or 'wet', with 'dry' methods involving excavating ancient river beds or diverting rivers.
- Consequences of illegal mining include not obtaining 100% of potential diamonds, improper waste disposal, and affecting the economy.
- Coastal alluvial mining involves removing overburden and excavating diamond-bearing rock.
- Alluvial deposits have already undergone liberation, but may still require further processing using methods such as density separation or alternative processes like grease tables and belts.
- Run-of-mine refers to the production range of rough diamonds from a mine, including all qualities.
This quiz covers the various factors that need to be considered when determining the economic viability of mining a diamond deposit. It includes aspects like geographical and political accessibility, climate conditions, depth and composition of overburden, clearance of area, planning for infrastructure, and removal of overburden.
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