An Insight into the Discovery of the Argyle Diamond Mine.
Mineral exploration is a complex and evolving field that has undergone significant advancements over the years. It involves a meticulous process of discovery, as exemplified by projects like Olympic Dam, which required almost two decades of planning and a decade of execution. The understanding of geology and manually handling exploration techniques, which was once laborious and time-consuming, is rapidly becoming obsolete.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of decarbonization and clean energy, it's understandable that investors and geoscientists may prioritize exploring commodities like lithium and more recently, rare earth elements.
The field of mineral exploration has undergone significant changes since I entered it in 1992. The methods and technologies we use have evolved dramatically over time. However, one noticeable trend in the exploration industry is the decline of diamond exploration.
In this episode of Samso Insight 113, we delve into a captivating discussion with Thomas Reddicliffe about the extensive search for the largest diamond mine. It's a topic that has intrigued many over the years, and we're excited to bring you this insightful conversation. If you've been following Samso, you might recall our previous discussion on the discovery of Olympic Dam. That was quite a journey in itself, and now we have the opportunity to explore the world of diamond exploration with Thomas Redicliffe.
Thomas joined the scene in 1976, towards the end of the discovery process. He provides us with a fascinating narrative of the glory days of diamond exploration and brings us up to speed on recent developments, from even just a few years ago. It's truly a remarkable journey that he shares with us. Of course, there are many other thought leaders who could have contributed to this Samso Insight, and these will come in time. For now, we are lucky to have Thomas with us, so we hope you enjoy this episode and gain valuable insights into the world of diamond mining.
The inspiration to get Samso Insight Episode 113 completed is my appreciation of what it took to discover Argyle. The book by Stuart Kells entitled "Argyle - The Impossible Story of Australian Diamonds" which you can purchase on Amazon or Melbourne University Press (MUP) , was the impetus for my eagerness to try and document as much as I can to make sure the story is on the Samso Platform.
Samso's Conclusion
Diamond exploration is a specialised form of mineral exploration that is facing challenges and changes that involve non-geological factors, particularly in "developed" jurisdictions. Diamonds have long captivated people of all ages and are widely recognised as one of the most well-marketed commodities in the world.
Diamonds are crystalline forms of carbon that are created deep within the Earth under high temperatures and extreme pressures. At surface air atmospheric pressure (one atmosphere), diamonds are less stable than graphite, and therefore, the thermodynamic conditions favour the decay of diamond (δH = -2 kJ/mol). Historical records indicate that diamonds were known to burn during Roman times (Magill School of Computer School). It is worth noting that the marketing efforts of De Beers have played a significant role in establishing and sustaining the diamond market.
Diamonds, regardless of scientific knowledge, are cherished and adored today as a beautiful crystal that brings joy to everyone. From the perspective of a geoscientist, the search for diamonds holds great excitement and intrigue.
I consider myself fortunate to have entered the field during a time when diamond exploration was at its peak. In the 1990s, the quest for diamonds was in its final decade of glory, and the expertise of many experienced practitioners has since become scarce. The individuals who had mastered the art of diamond exploration are now approaching the end of their careers, and I worry that their valuable skills will be lost.
While new geoscientists will undoubtedly acquire the necessary knowledge and techniques through a structured learning process, there are certain intangible skills that can only be honed through years of practice. It is these skills that I fear may be forgotten, and relearning them would be akin to reinventing the wheel.
Chapters:
00:00 Start
00:20 Introduction
02:10 Diamond exploration - a discussion
03:19 Rundown of the search in 1973
10:04 Pragmatic approach to exploration
11:27 Treating indicator minerals for analysing
13:12 Ellendale discovery
16:27 Lamproites and Kimberlites
19:26 Discussion about the economic side
22:06 The situation after Ellendale
24:12 Was there a difference between indicator minerals?
26:05 The last 10 years of active diamond exploration
27:15 Would the technology today help with the exploration cost?
28:19 Was stream sampling more effective?
29:25 Is there still an “Argyle” today?
34:36 Discussion about Argyle
42:21 The future of the diamond industry
53:17 Conclusion