WORLD WIDE MINING IN AFRICA
Africa is the world’s leading producer of diamonds, there are large diamond mining operations in Russia, Canada, and Australia.As the largest producer of diamonds in the world, diamond mining in Africa is interlaced into the history of the continent.
##DIAMONDS MINED IN AFRICA
The largest diamond producers in Africa are South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In this south central region, diamonds are mined from kimberlite mines in South Africa, Angola and the DRC, and from alluvial excavating mining operations in Angola, Namibia and again, South Africa. West African diamond mining is mostly from altered kimberlite pipes and eluvial deposits. West African mining operations are on a much smaller scale and many are managed and owned by small-scale miners. The largest diamond mines in Africa are in Botswana: Jwaneng and Orapa. They are also the largest diamond mines in the world.
DIAMOND MINING IN WEST AFRICA
Almost all diamonds from West Africa are of alluvial origin. In Guinea, diamonds are found in the rainforests and in Sierra Leone diamonds are present throughout the territory and 70% of the stones are of gemstone quality. It is in Sierra Leone that the best quality diamonds can be found today.
