Through volcanic pipes diamonds reach the earth’s surface and therefore diamonds are found within areas of volcanic activity. The purpose of diamond mines are to extract such valuable deposits. The mine requires a scheme of excavations in the rock in order to advance access to the kimberlite rock once the diamonds have been extracted. Diamonds can be mined using alluvial mining methods when host rock is eroded by watercourses, where diamonds are deposited as sediment in the stream sands. World-wide ordinary diamond ‘homes’ have been revealed in roughly 35 diverse countries leading to the creation of mines for diamonds. Africa holds the world’s most gem quality diamond producers, predominantly in Botswana. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Tanzania and Sierra Leone are all examples of countries in Africa where diamond mines are located. Mining methods in Sierre Leone and Liberia adopt the alluvial technique by sifting through river-bank sand and gravel. African diamond mines:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Congo
- Zimbabwe
- Tanzania
- Liberia