Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a major exporter of the world's natural resources, including beautiful minerals such as opals, pearls, sapphires, and diamonds. The Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia is the country's most well-known diamond mine, producing a third of the world's diamonds every year. Diamonds have also been mined in the Bingara region of New South Wales, Kangaroo Island in South Australia, and the Ellendale and Merlin mines in the Northern Territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diamond mines in Australia | Argyle, Ellendale, Merlin, Bingara, Bow River, Kangaroo Island, Smoke Creek |
| Diamond-bearing regions | Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Central Queensland |
| Diamond colours | Pink, cognac, Yellow, White, Blue, Golden, Clear |
| Diamond size range | 0.3-5 carats |
| Diamond quality | Gem-quality, industrial-quality |
| Diamond formation requirements | Extreme pressure, heat |
| Diamond electrical, optical, and thermal characteristics | Used in special lenses, heat sinks in electronic circuitry, and advanced technologies |
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What You'll Learn
Diamond exploration in Copeton/Bingara, New South Wales
Diamonds were discovered in the Copeton/Bingara area of New South Wales in 1867. Significant quantities were mined from alluvial deposits in this region until 1922, with minor production resuming at Copeton in 1997. The area has been the most consistently mined diamond site in New South Wales.
The first diamonds were discovered at Bingara in 1872 by gold prospectors, and the area has been worked intermittently since then. The most productive mine was the Monte Christo. In the same year, diamonds were also found at Maid's Creek near Copeton, and the following year, many more were discovered, making Copeton the richest diamond field in New South Wales. The Star of the South was the most productive mine in the area, with basalt-covered deep leads that were mined until 1922.
Stones from Copeton and Bingara are generally small, highly resorbed, and have a glossy appearance. They are typically yellow or colourless and contain internal dislocations (gnaats) that result in different directions of hardness. These stones were difficult to cut in the past, but today's technology has overcome this challenge.
Aduro Diamonds Pty Ltd, an Australian diamond exploration company, controls over 85,000 hectares of mining and exploration leases in New South Wales, including the Copeton, Bingara, Narrabri, and Delungra Diamond Projects. Aduro aims to produce alluvial diamonds from Copeton while also identifying the source of these alluvial diamonds through an exploration program.
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Diamonds in the Northern Territory
The largest diamond ever found in Australia was recovered from the Merlin mine in 2002, weighing 104.73 carats (or 105 carats according to some sources) and valued at over US$525,000. The Merlin diamond field in the McArthur Basin comprises 14 Devonian kimberlite pipes, nine of which were mined between 1999 and 2006, producing 507,000 carats of diamonds. Small-scale mining also occurred at Merlin in 2017 and 2018 from the Ector deposit and stockpiles. The mine is currently in care and maintenance and was purchased by Lucapa Diamonds Ltd in May 2021.
Other significant diamond occurrences in the southern McArthur Basin area include the Coanjula field and Abner Range diatreme. Diamond-bearing kimberlite dykes have also been found in the McArthur Basin northeast of Mataranka, at the Packsaddle and Blackjack prospects. Diamond exploration in the Northern Territory has been at low levels since around 2008, but there remains a significant potential for new discoveries.
In addition to the McArthur Basin, there have been diamond explorations in other areas of the Northern Territory, such as the Copeton/Bingara region, where diamonds are typically yellow or colourless, small, and highly resorbed, giving them a glossy appearance. These stones were challenging to cut due to their internal dislocations, but technological advancements have overcome this issue.
The Northern Territory is home to one of Australia's major diamond mines, showcasing the region's potential for diamond exploration and production. The Merlin diamond mine, in particular, has produced some of the largest and most valuable diamonds in the country, contributing to the Northern Territory's significant role in Australia's diamond industry.
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Diamonds in Western Australia
Diamonds have been a source of fascination for humans since ancient times. These precious, brilliant and hard gemstones are made of pure carbon crystallised under high pressure, generally at depths greater than 150 km below the Earth's surface. Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral on Earth, rating a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. They are usually clear, but can also be found in a range of colours, including pink, golden, blue, yellow and brown ("champagne" and "cognac").
Western Australia is particularly famous for its production of coloured diamonds, specifically pink diamonds. The Argyle Diamond Mine, located in the remote northeast of the state in the East Kimberley region, was the primary source of these pink diamonds, contributing over 90% of the world's supply. The mine was situated about 550 km southwest of Darwin and 3,040 km from the state capital, Perth. The rugged landscape surrounding the mine is known for its rocky red earth, ancient gorges, and unique flora and fauna.
The Argyle mine was the first successful commercial diamond mine exploiting a volcanic pipe of lamproite. Diamonds were discovered within the intact core of this pipe, known as the "'Argyle' pipe" or "AK-1". The volcanic pipe is a diatreme composed of olivine lamproite, with peripheral volcanic facies indicating the formation of a maar. The diamonds found at the Argyle pipe have been dated to about 1.58 billion years old, while the volcano itself is estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.2 billion years old.
Mining operations at Argyle commenced in 1983, initially using alluvial mining methods before transitioning to an open-pit mine in 1985. The mine produced a range of coloured diamonds, including white (colourless), yellow, brown ("champagne" and "cognac"), and rare pinks and blues. The diamonds from the Argyle mine exhibited unusual physical characteristics and a small average size, which may be attributed to the relatively short period of diamond formation, estimated at around 400 million years. In November 2020, after 37 years of operations and the production of over 865 million carats of rough diamonds, the Argyle Diamond Mine ceased operations due to a decline in economic viability.
Another notable diamond mine in Western Australia is the Ellendale mine in the Kimberley region. This mine is known for its production of high-quality fancy yellow diamonds, contributing approximately 50% of the world's supply. The yellow colour in Ellendale diamonds is a result of their nitrogen content, with nitrogen atoms absorbing light in the blue region of the visible spectrum, causing the diamonds to appear yellow.
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Diamond hunting in Central Queensland
Gemfields of Central Queensland
The Gemfields of Central Queensland, particularly around Anakie and Sapphire, are renowned for their rich sapphire deposits. These fields have attracted many treasure hunters, and among the sapphires, some lucky explorers have found diamonds. The area offers both organised fossicking sites and adventurous off-the-beaten-path exploring.
Specking and Fossicking
Specking is a technique where you walk around with your eyes glued to the ground, looking for bits of gemstones that more ambitious or discerning hunters may have missed. This method can be very rewarding, as you never know what shiny treasures you might uncover. Fossicking, on the other hand, involves more labour-intensive digging and sieving. Both methods are equally valid, and you can choose the one that suits your style and stamina.
Elizabeth and O'Brien's Creeks
Elizabeth and O'Brien's Creeks in North Queensland have been identified as potential hotspots for diamond exploration. Geologists have various theories about the origin of diamonds in this area, with some speculating they migrated from as far as the Palmer River in Cape York. Keep your eyes open in this region, especially for well-rounded quartz pebbles, known locally as "pigeon egg wash".
Mt. Surprise Area
The Mt. Surprise area in North Queensland has a history of diamond discoveries. A "tin scratcher" found a small diamond there in the late 1980s, and subsequent exploration continued until the late 1990s. Keep this area on your radar, and who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised!
Diamond Identification
When hunting for diamonds, it's essential to know how to identify them. While a trained eye can distinguish a diamond from a topaz, it can be challenging for beginners. Diamonds are made of pure carbon in crystallised form and have a range of colours, including clear, pink, golden, or blue. They are the hardest natural mineral on Earth, rating a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
So, with these insights, head out to Central Queensland, practice your specking and fossicking, and who knows, you might just find your treasure!
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Diamonds in South Australia
The Springfield Basin is another notable site, yielding 128 diamonds and fragments in the mid-1980s, with an additional 56 diamonds recovered in 1998, the largest being 3.5mm and weighing 0.34 carats. The presence of fresh indicator minerals, particularly garnet with a kelyphytic rind, suggests that the kimberlite source is relatively close to the basin.
At Eurelia, 140 microdiamonds have been associated with kimberlite dykes and one pipe, making it the first area in South Australia where diamonds have been retrieved directly from source rocks. Other localities in South Australia with diamond finds include Edwards Creek, with eight yellow microdiamonds totalling 0.75 carats.
South Australia is considered highly prospective for diamonds, with widespread occurrences of kimberlite and lamprophyre associated with cratonic fractures and lineaments. Macrodiamonds, microdiamonds, and diamond indicator minerals have all been found in the state, indicating the potential for further diamond discoveries and exploration.
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Frequently asked questions
Diamonds can be found all over Australia, with many diamond varieties available across the country. Some of the most popular diamond mines in Australia include the Argyle and Ellendale mines in Western Australia, the Merlin mine in the Northern Territory, and the mines in the Bingara region of New South Wales.
The largest diamond found in Australia to date was a 5-carat diamond discovered in the 1980s. While this diamond was not of top gem quality, it was still a significant find. Other large diamonds found in Australia include a 0.9-carat stone discovered in 1987 and a 50-carat stone found in the early 1800s.
Australian diamonds come in a variety of colours, including pink, cognac, white, yellow, and blue. The colour of a diamond is determined by the presence of other minerals and can affect its value.
Diamond mining in Australia has a long history, dating back to the early 1800s when miners first began searching for diamonds in the Argyle region. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that large-scale diamond mining began, with the discovery of diamond deposits in Western Australia and the Bingara region. Today, Australia is a major exporter of diamonds and is known for producing high-quality diamond varieties.
