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Production of Diamond in Australia, 2020 - 2028 (Thousand Carats)

  • Production of Diamond in Australia reached 0Thousand Carats in 2023

Production of Diamond in Australia, 2020 - 2028 (Thousand Carats)

Published: April 2024
Source: GlobalData

Diamond mining in Australia 

According to the USGS, Australia had the world’s third largest diamond reserves as of February 2019. Substantial diamond resources are located at the Argyle deposit in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, while other smaller resources are located at Ellendale in Western Australia and Merlin in the Northern Territory. 

Diamond deposits are available mostly in the form of lamproites and kimberlite ore type. The Argyle mine in the Kimberley region is the country’s main diamond producing mine, and it accesses one of the world’s largest lamproite-type deposits. Lamproites are volcanic rocks rich in magnesium with little calcium oxide, aluminum oxide and sodium oxide, and a high amount of potassium oxide. 

Diamond Mining in Australia – Companies by Diamond Reserves  

The companies engaged in Diamond mining in Australia are: 

  • Rio Tinto 
  • Merlin Diamonds Ltd 

Active Mines and Exploration Projects  

The Argyle Diamond mine, located in Western Australia, is wholly owned by Rio Tinto. Declining reserves at the mine have made the project unsustainable over the long-term. 

Mining operations at Western Australia’s Ellendale mine, which was previously owned by Kimberley Diamonds Ltd, were ceased during 2015, as the company went into voluntary administration. Following this, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) to seek mining companies willing to restart operations at the mine under a new mining license in August 2018. 

Australia’s Mining Fiscal Regime 

Australia has three levels of law making – national (or federal), state/territory and local council – which have separate roles and responsibilities regarding resource exploration and development. Australia’s minerals industry is highly innovative, in addition to practicing advanced technology. It is a major contributor to Australia’s national income, investment, jobs and exports, and is a source of revenue for government. 

Australia’s Mining Fiscal Regime – Three Levels of Australia Government 

  • Local councils 
  • State/Territory parliaments 
  • Federal parliament 

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