|
For many years, the idea of finding diamonds in Canada
seemed little more than a prospector's dream. But that dream
has become a reality following the recent discovery of several
world-class diamond-bearing deposits in the Canadian north.
Today, Canada has two established diamond mines
and several projects scheduled to begin production
within the next few years. It is estimated that in 2004
Canada will account for 7.1 percent of world
diamond production by
value and this is projected increase to over 15% within
five years.
In 2004 global rough diamond sales are expected
to total some US$11.2 billion. In 2004 Canada was ranked
the third largest producer of diamonds, by value, in
the world behind Botswana and Russia.
In 2004, 40 percent of world diamond exploration
expenditure was dedicated to the search for
diamonds in Canada, with 33 per cent having
been spent in Africa.
THE ORIGINS OF DIAMONDS
 Diamonds
are formed from carbon deep beneath the earth, and are carried towards the
surface together with a range of other unique minerals called indicator minerals,
during volcanic eruptions. Once the volcanic activity subsides and cooling
takes place, the diamonds remain encased in the solidified rock mass known
as kimberlite.
Over the years, the weathering effects of sun, rain, wind, snow and ice erode
the kimberlite releasing the indicator minerals and, in some cases, diamonds.
In Canada, these diamond-bearing kimberlites often lie beneath water in remote
areas where the idea of anyone even beginning to find diamonds is extraordinary.
And the search for diamonds is further complicated by the fact that over centuries
ice movement has spread many of the indicator minerals — sand-sized particles
that can suggest the presence of diamond-bearing rock — out over areas
far away from the kimberlite pipes.
For more information on the formation of diamonds, visit www.debeersgroup.com/diamonds.
|
