Major mining companies recover and market about 85% of diamonds by volume and 95% by value. Mining from a kimberlite pipe is a well-planned and funded, large-volume rock-moving and processing operation that occurs over a relatively limited land area. The goals are to maximize diamond recovery while minimizing mining costs and reducing waste. Employee safety and environmental protection are priorities. Given that pipe locations often occur in remote geographic locations, all needed mining infrastructure must be constructed, supplied, and maintained, benefiting local communities. Large mining companies provide high-paying jobs and employment opportunities for area residents as well as significant financial contributions and other education, medical, and other assistance to local communities. These companies currently support the livelihood of some 10 million people.
As mentioned above, an eventual mine closure involves extensive efforts to restore the location as much as possible to its state before the mining started. Mining operations from start to finish are subject to governmental permitting, regulation, and unannounced inspections. Note: Critics of open pit diamond mines, like the one shown above, opine about the damage that mining does to the environment and to the earth, yet they rarely complain about enormous mines like this Copper mine in Utah, USA.
Artisanal Diamond Diggers
Artisanal miners, mostly in Africa, produce about 15% of the world’s diamonds and employ an estimated 41 million people. Individuals or small groups of miners use simple tools to extract diamonds from shallow pits near rivers. Mining generally involves washing diamond-bearing sediments near sources of water—there is no use of explosives or mercury, cyanide, or other chemicals (such as in alluvial gold mining) that would damage the environment. This activity normally produces relatively limited land surface damage however can cause localized deforestation and minor water pollution. Despite challenges and limited oversight, artisanal gem mining is important activity in many parts of the world where thousands of individuals are seeking to economically support themselves and their families. Several companies and jewelry industry initiatives currently focus on empowering and supporting artisanal miner communities, which often include the important role of women.
