HomeTo the main page of Earth Science Australia - no advertising, no spyware FreewareFree downloads of earth science software Cyber EducationFree self-learning on-line Energy/Mineralsall about oil, gas, metals, alternative energy, rocks, minerals...Processes/Structures volcanoes, plate tectonics, earthquakes, folds, faults, weather... Fossils/Time/Space fossils, dinosaurs,dating methods, space science, relative and absolute time Floodingcase history of Johnstone River flooding, satellite image processing, extreme weather... ExpeditionsThe Far North Queensland Fossil Heritage Expeditions, ichthyosaurs, kronsaurus, giant squids, ancient crocodiles, diprotodontids... reconstructions Aboriginal an elder restores an ancient axe to functional condition, aboriginal trade routes... Linkssome selected great off site resources Browse to Bach  listen to classical music from a new window while you browse

australia-diamonds

Australia - Diamonds

While minor diamond discoveries were made among alluvial gold in New South Wales starting in 1851, a discovery in 1979 on the Kimberley Plateau of Western Australia enabled the country to be the world's most prolific diamond producer. Based on ancient bedrock, diamond exploration began in 1972, with a kimberlite pipe discovery coming in 1976 in the Ellendale area. In 1979, a large lamproite pipe was found and named the Argyle mine; by 1992 over 200 million carats had been mined there. Only 5% of the production is gem quality. A unique feature of the Argyle mine, though, is a small but consistent supply of valuable pink to red or purple diamonds.

The Argyle mine on the Kimberley plateau of Western Australia.

Australian Production

Total: 428 million carats Annual: 35-40 million carats