Diamond Mines in Canada

Geology.com ^ | 09/18/2014 | Hobart King

[JimSEA]

Throughout the 20th century most people would never have thought about Canada being an important producer of diamonds. [1] Their knowledge of diamonds was fixed on mining operations in Africa and diamond trading centers in Europe.

All of this started to change in 1991 when two geologists, Chuck Fipke and Stewart Blusson, found evidence of diamond-bearing Kimberlite pipes about 200 miles north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. One of these pipes would soon be developed by BHP Billiton into the EKATI Diamond Mine, which produced Canada's first commercial diamonds in 1998.

[JimSEA]

This article discusses the major Canadian diamond mines, found in kimberlite pipes in cratons formed generally in the mid to late Archean time period. Very old indeed. Also, of this time, you can find a lava type that hasn't been found from later periods - Komatiite which was very hot and flowed like water. The metamorphic remains often host very rich mineral deposits like the largest nickel mine in Australia. It would be something to hunt for in Canada.

[Paladin2]

Is gem quality different from commercial or would that be industrial?

[Squawk 8888]

To all- please ping me to Canadian topics.

Canada Ping!

[Yosemitest]

Who cares.
Look at THIS !

[Yo-Yo]

If you didn’t know there were diamond mines in Canada, you never watched the first season of Ice Road Truckers.

[JimSEA]

I believe you’re right. Gem quality basically means it can be used in jewelry.

[mountainlion]

Colorado and Wyoming have diamonds also.

[JimSEA]

I generally only watch sports on TV. I miss out on a lot, but I’m not irritated as often as I used to be.

[Paladin2]

GTL. Looks like I need to drill in my backyard.

[JimSEA]

I admit to having read the article on Geology.com that had that map but some other FReepers do an outstanding job of keeping us up to date on shale oil/gas plays in the USA.

[RitchieAprile]

its a nasty business to have a well in your yard. especially if you don’t own mineral rights.

[familyop]

Ouch. It’s really cold up there.

[free_life]

I was trying to find a source in Canada last year for rough uncut Canadian diamonds, found none in Canada (except for very overpriced retail diamonds). Yet rough Canadian diamonds can be had in the US and Europe and rough uncut diamonds can be found in every diamond producing country in the world. What is with Canada?

[Smokin' Joe]

And Arkansas...

[Domangart]

THEY bought the entire find.

[Swordmaker]

Is gem quality different from commercial or would that be industrial?

The article states that Canada's diamond mines produce 3% of the world's gem quality diamonds by quantity, but 11% by value because of their quality.

[free_life]

Who is THEY?

I am assuming you are saying THEY buy all Canadian rough diamonds and that is why there is none available directly in Canada.

[Domangart]

The cartel. De Beers can not have cheep carbon on the street.

[free_life]

Yep what I figured. A few big diamond players in eastern Canada and NYC seem to control all Canadian diamonds.

Interesting that a lot of these diamond mines in Canada are on aboriginal land or treaty rights to. I have been wondering if any of the native bands are selling diamonds on the hush hush also. This enquiring mind would like to know.

[Moonman62]

This article discusses the major Canadian diamond mines, found in kimberlite pipes in cratons formed generally in the mid to late Archean time period. Very old indeed.

...

I think something like half of all the gold ever mined comes from a crater within an ancient craton in South Africa.