Friday, January 16, 2009

Diamond Mining - Extraction Methods


Diamonds and other precious and semi-precious gemstones are extracted from the earth using five basic mining techniques. These diamond extraction methods vary depending on how the minerals are deposited within the earth, the stability of the material that surrounds that desired gem or mineral, and the peripheral damage that will be done to the surrounding environment. The principle methods of diamond extraction are:
Artisanal Mining
Hard Rock Mining
Marine Mining
Open Pit Mining
Placer Mining
Hard-Rock Diamond Mining
The term "hard-rock mining" (top of page, left) refers to various techniques used to extract gems, minerals, and ore bodies that are in situ, and can only be accessed by tunneling underground and creating underground "rooms" or "stopes" that are supported by timber pillars or standing rock.

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