Once a promising diamond deposit has been identified, we use specific methods to further assess and develop it.
The dense media separation plant at AK06.
Microdiamond analysis
This uses the size, frequency and distribution of tiny diamonds to assess the potential of the deposit. Our expertise in this area allows us to prioritise projects and advance them more rapidly.
Samples are processed at the Kimberley Microdiamond Laboratory, which has differentiating diamond weighing and classification capability.
Macrodiamond analysis
High-interest kimberlites are bulk sampled (>100 tonnes) to extract diamonds for grade and revenue estimates. Macrodiamond analysis is also used to draw up geological models of the area in question.
Bulk samples are processed through the Group Exploration Macrodiamond Laboratories in Johannesburg and Luanda, to produce exceptionally high quality results.
Laboratory services
De Beers has globally benchmarked and proven laboratory services for diamond exploration. These include:
- Group Exploration Macrodiamond Laboratory, where the focus lies in the treatment and recovery of macrodiamonds
- Kimberley Microdiamond Laboratory, which does microdiamond analyses of exploration samples
- Indicator Mineral Laboratory, which is responsible for kimberlitic indicator mineral recovery and analysis for our exploration projects
A reactor is washed down at the Kimberley Microdiamond Laboratory after sample processing.