- April 27, 2023
- Posted by: Thuso Kgaodi
- Categories:
The prospectors of old had no qualifications, just an eye for diamonds. Today, our explorers hold degrees in geology, physics, geophysics, engineering, chemistry and biochemistry. To help them, they have the latest analytical equipment, tools and tests and are supported by the most advanced laboratories. But they still need that eye for diamonds.
They search for diamonds where nature has left them, in some of the most remote and inaccessible places on the planet, from the deserts of southern Africa to the frozen Arctic tundra.
Finding diamonds can take decades. No clues are too small and can be simple traces of indicator minerals brought up by burrowing animals and termites. Core samples are taken and then laboratory analysis shows whether the find is likely to be viable.