Argyle Diamond Mine

Argyle Diamond Mine - Australia
Natural diamond sources have been discovered in approximately 35 different countries around the World across several continents. Diamonds, and consequently mines like the Argyle Diamond Mine, are found in areas where there have been volcanic activity or erosion and where natural elements such as streams, rivers and even glaciers might have taken them. When such sources are discovered mines, such as the Argyle Diamond Mine, often follow. The Argyle Diamond Mine is the world’s largest diamond mining operation by volume, although not by value due to the quantities of less popular brown diamonds that it produces.

Facts and Information about the Argyle Diamond Mine - Australia

• The Argyle Diamond Mine Country is found in Australia, the Oceania Continent
• The Argyle Diamond Mine Location: Kimberley region in the Australian state of Western Australia
• The Argyle Diamond Mine diamond source: Olivine lamproite volcanic pipe
• Type of Argyle volcanic pipe: Diatreme (the upper portions of volcanic structures)
• Mining Method: Tunnelling, open pit mining,  and Alluvial mining
• Size of the Argyle Diamond Mine: 110 acres and reaches underground to 1,900 feet
•  The Argyle Diamond Mine diamond quality: 5% gem quality and 95% industrial grade & near gem quality
• Age of the mine: The Argyle pipe was discovered on October 2, 1979, and the Argyle Diamond Mine was commissioned in December 1985.
• Color of diamonds found at the Argyle Diamond Mine are 80% brown diamonds
16% yellow diamonds 2% white or colorless diamonds 2% pink or green diamonds
• Age of Diamonds: 1.5 billion years old
• The Argyle Diamond Mine is operated by: the Rio Tinto Group

Information about Diamond Deposits
Diamonds reach the surface of the earth via volcanic pipes or via placer / alluvial deposits. The purpose of the mines is the extraction of valuable diamonds from the earth. The mines are plant operations built to extract diamond crystal from either underground or from the surface. When diamonds are extracted underground, the mine needs a system of excavations in the rock to gain access to the kimberlite rock. There are a limited number of commercially viable diamond mines currently operating in the world which use tunnelling and excavation methods. However, diamonds are also mined using the Placer or Alluvial mining methods when host rock is washed away by streams and rivers and diamonds are deposited as sediment in the stream sands in 'placer deposits' which also called Alluvial deposits.