Underground diamond mining is a diamond mining method that enables the tapping of the potential of kimberlites for years after open pit mining at a site has ceased to yield diamonds. Underground diamond mining is several times more complex and expensive than open pit mining, but it nevertheless exploits the site’s full potential in terms of diamonds.
In the course of underground mining, two shafts are drilled parallel to the kimberlite. The shafts, whose depth reaches up to 2 kms, are drilled several hundred meters away from the kimberlite, after which tunnels are dug. The diamonds remaining in the underground kimberlite are transported via these tunnels.
The rocks and earth extracted from the kimberlite are brought above ground through the tunnels in cars and large cages. From there, they are transported to separation and screening stations.
