AUSTRALIA: 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.
The Argyle mine on the Kimberley plateau of Western Australia. click to zoom in
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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.
Topical Map of Australia. click to zoom in
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Australian Production:
Total: 428 million carats
Annual: 35-40 million carats
Argyle photo: Courtesy Argyle Diamonds.
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