Five natural diamonds weighing 1.22 carats were found in the Baloda-Belmundi diamond block in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh during scientific exploration under a prospecting license issued by NMDC-CMDC Ltd (NCL). The Union government approved the 156.80 sq km plot for a joint venture under the 1957 Act after the recommendation of the Chhattisgarh government.
Officials said the exploration operations conducted this month included internationally accepted techniques such as stream sediment sampling, geomagnetic and resistivity surveys, and drilling to a depth of up to 500 metres. They added that geologists have identified a possible kimberlite body containing diamonds.
About 200 tons of bulk samples of kimberlite have been collected and processed, officials said. The five natural diamonds were found after mineral processing and acid washing.
“This is a very encouraging result because the extraction of natural diamonds in the initial exploration stage confirms the existence of a diamond-bearing geological system,” said Sanjay Kankan, joint director of geology in the state.
Kankan added that major diamond producing countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Canada and Australia also reported a limited number of diamonds during the initial exploration stages before extensive surveys led to the discovery of commercially viable deposits.
The potential for diamond mineralization is widespread
Until now, Mainpur district in Gariabandh district of Chhattisgarh was considered the main diamond-containing area in the state. The latest discovery indicates that diamond mining could be much more widespread than previously estimated, opening up possibilities for investment, job generation and economic development, officials said.
Kankan said this discovery shows that scientific exploration using modern technologies is constantly revealing the mineral potential of Chhattisgarh. “Paloda-Belmondi has the potential to emerge as one of the important diamond exploration centers in the country,” Cancan said. He said that NMDC-CMDC Limited will continue exploration, drilling and resource assessment to scientifically evaluate the diamond reserves in the Baloda-Belmondi area.
Officials said an exploration program in what is now Chhattisgarh was launched in 1987-88 at Jariabandh. The first breakthrough came during the 1992-1994 field seasons when geologists identified kimberlite pipes, the parent rock of diamonds.
In 1996-97 and 1997-98, detailed exploration was carried out at Bahradia. Studies have shown that the Bahradia kimberlite pipe extends over a distance of 180 meters by 135 metres. Diamond grains have been confirmed within the kimberlite, and the area is estimated to have a potential resource of 1.3 million carats.
Four major kimberlite pipes have been identified in the Mainpur kimberlite field. Diamond mineralization has been confirmed in the Bahraday and Bailikhand kimberlites. Kimberlite rocks were also identified in the Tokabal area in 1996. No diamond mineralization was found there, and the area became known as the Tokabal kimberlite field.
